There is a wealth of knowledge out there to help beef producers become more productive, especially in the time of high input costs. Vaccines are an important aspect of any operation, and keeping those expensive bottles of protection viable is important. What is inside those bottles can mean the difference between a good calf crop or an outstanding one. Also be sure to take into consideration the equipment, injection sites and timing of those vaccines.

Why fall vaccinations?

University of Nebraska associate professor and Extension dairy and beef veterinarian, David Smith, said fall is the preferred time for vaccinations for several reasons.

"For many ranches, fall is a favored time to vaccinate beef cows against a variety of diseases," Smith said. "(There is) the convenience of already having cows in the chute for other reasons (e.g. pregnancy exams), because handling cattle then doesn't conflict with as many other ranch activities, and because calves have been or are being weaned at the time."

Most common vaccines given in the fall are:

• Respiratory viruses (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV);
  
• Leptosporosis.

"At some ranches this also may be when clostridial vaccines and the first dose of vaccines against calf scours pathogens are administered," Smith said.

Source: High Plains Journal