CATTLE HERD HEALTH CALENDAR
Vaccinating Cows
All vaccinations listed below are recommended for the East Texas area.
***NOTE: Haemophilus Somnus, Pinkeye, E.coli, Rota, & Corona vaccinations
are a "risk based" vaccination and not listed below
as routine care.
Please consult one of our veterinarians before giving.***
- January
- Give Protaglandin (Lutalyse or Bovilene) to synchronize heifer breeding. Fertility exam breeding bulls.
- Vaccinate cows & heifers prior to spring breeding & bulls w/ Vibrio-L 5, IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV.
- De-worm herd (ivomec, dectomax, synanthic, panacur, etc.)
- Observe heifers 3x/day for calving. Assist 1-2 hrs after water breaks. Observe cows 2x day for calving. Assist 30 min after water breaks. Observe colostrum
intake w/I 6 hrs of birth. (Colostrum dose-2 qts every 6-8 hrs in 1st 24 hrs)
- Heifers supplement 1-1 to gain 1/2#/day. Feed to reach critical minimum weight by 14 mos of age(breeding critical weight is 75% of mature weight)
- Develop master plan. Establish yearly goals (i.e. 95% calf crop w/ 92% weaning - averaging 590# & up). Prepare budget. Plan improvements for herd, pasture, working pens, fences, etc.
- February
- Treat for lice as needed, start fly control.
- Spray herbicide
- March
- Expose heifers to bulls (1 bull to 20-25 head)
- **NOTE: Retainment of early breeding heifers will increase the overall reproduction performance for your herd in years to come.***
- Medicine to keep on hand: Colostrix, re-sorb, fluid feeder, oral E.Coli vaccine (if scours outbreak). Autopsy any unexplained deaths/losses.
- Prostaglandin prior to breeding. Breed heifers 30 days prior to cow herd. Breed heifers for 60 days (use calving ease bulls). De-worm & vaccinate as described above.
- Soil test, fertilize pastures & hay meadows. Spray to control weeds. Drag manure & fire ants.
- April
- Expose cow herd to bulls (1 bull to 20-25 head)
- Individual identification-ear tag to maintain production records. Record birthweight.
- May
- Remove bulls from heifers
- Vaccinate calves w/ IBR, BVD, PI3, Syncytial (booster in 3 weeks), Blackleg 7-way (initially between 2-4 mos. - repeat after 6 mo.)
- De-worm calves 2 mos of age and up.
- Prepare & arrange hay inventory. Allow 750-1000# per head per month of forage. Analyze hay & forage.
- Integrated Resource Management: Consult w/ vets for herd health recommendations (as needed). Consult w/ nutritionist for supplementation advice (as needed). Consult w/ exam
service for pasture improvement (as needed)
- June
- Re-treat as needed for fly control (500 fly count per head is cost-effective for treatment)
- De-horn, castrate bulls, de-worm & vaccinate calves. Implant steers & heifers - 45 days old
- July
- Palpate heifers/cull open (open & late breeding heifers will remain slow breeders)
- Remove bulls from cow herd.
- De-worm herd (ivomec, dectomax, etc.)
- Palpate and sell open heifers
- Drag manure & fire ants
- August
- Identify by lab test any scour problems
- September
- Palpate cows-cull open. Evaluate nutrition, pasture etc.
- Individual weights of calves at weaning. Record on dams production records
- Marketing: Direct sales, auction, contract, retained ownership, etc
- October
- Submit aborted fetus, placenta, serum for testing.
- Vaccinate cows & heifers prior to fall breeding w/ Vibrio-L 5, IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV
- Treat for lice as needed
- Wean heifers @ 6 mos: Vaccinate for brucellosis, IBR, BVD, PI3, Syncytial, Pasturella One-Shot, & Blackleg 7-way. De-worm, weigh,
dehorn (as needed), remove extra-teats, brand, tattoo, & ear tag for individual identification
- Plant winter pasture (oats, ryegrass, etc.). Over seed (15-20#/acre). Control brush. Drag manure & fire ants
- November
- Remove fly tags to prevent over wintering of flies (dust, spray, pour-ons, etc.)
- December
- Vaccinate weaned calves w/ brucellosis, IBR, BVD, PI3, Syncytial, Blackleg 7-way, & Pasturella One-Shot
- Retain 10-20% more heifers than needed-cull later on early early pregnancy and/or open status
