Working Ranch April/May 2025

ussell Daly, DVM, Extension Veterinarian, and Professor at South Dakota State University, Collaborate With Your Veterinarian R

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Calves Along vaccines in two months because he has an immune system that could mount a robust response to those vaccines. “When we precondition calves before weaning before the next round of shots, they will bring a premium over calves that didn’t receive vaccines,” Wilke explains. “Buyers know those calves don’t have a good defense system against diseases they will encounter post-weaning. At two months, calves are running low on the immunity they received from their dams, and their first vaccine is running out. Giving at least a respiratory vaccine as a third booster is a good idea if we keep these calves 70-90 days post-weaning before selling them. At two months, they would have had the respiratory vaccine at branding, preconditioning a month before weaning, and a month after when on feed. Those calves have a fantastic chance of doing well for someone post-weaning when they’re commingled with other calves because they have a strong immunity against those diseases they’ll be exposed to.” If they get sick in that phase, it is probably a bacterial infection, easily cured with an antibiotic. It is not viral because they have been vaccinated against viral diseases. “Calves will receive most of their vitamins and

Producers need to have an open line of communication so the veterinarian knows the rancher’s operation, and the rancher knows the veterinarian’s capabilities. In some cases, the rancher and the veterinarian have utilized the same procedures for years. “This is a good time to talk with the veterinarian about production changes in your operation,” Daly explains. “Are you moving locations, taking cattle to a different pasture? Maybe you’ve had disease issues in the past, and you want to discuss the subject further.” When considering vaccine or antibiotic changes, producers should understand when to give vaccines and how long they will last in the animals’ systems before trying an alternative product. Discuss the usual protocols with the veterinarian. Ranchers know they will have a calving season and possibly vaccinations before calving. Other tasks include branding, dehorning, and castration, moving animals out to pasture, weaning, pregnancy checks, and vaccinations. the cow. When we wean them, we want a good mineral with vitamin A, and trace minerals copper, zinc, [sele nium, and manganese] to help the calf develop a robust immune system. Vitamin and mineral supplementation are a good plan, but it doesn’t replace meeting those other needs. If energy is short in the diet, the best mineral out there won’t fix your problem.” Calves also need clean water in large amounts. The lack of water slows rumen development because thirsty calves do not eat well. They also need to be able to reach the bunk to eat, and having enough bunk space is critical, so they do not get pushed away from the ration. A little management goes a long way to help calves do well. “Work with your veterinarian to have respiratory, clostridial, and digestive viruses they may be exposed to covered in those immunizations at two months of age when we castrate and brand,” Wilke concludes.

says a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) is necessary for producers to obtain prescription or feed medications for their animals. “One component of the VCPR, as written into law, is that the veterinarian is familiar with how the producer’s animals are kept and managed,” Daly explains. “However, what isn’t written into regulations is how often a vet must visit a farm or look at the producer’s animals. Part of that relationship between a producer and a new veterinarian should be about the level a veterinarian feels comfortable that a relationship is in place. Some veterinarians, especially for new clients, might want to visit the farm regularly, others only once in a while. It’s whatever that vet is comfortable with. In some cases, that conversation might be enough for some vets to consider a VCPR is in place.”

minerals through the dam’s milk and some vitamins from green grass they are starting to eat,” Wilke observes. “It’s fine if they eat a little mineral with

46 I APRIL / MAY 2025 WORKING RANCH audited readers run 21 million head of beef cattle.