Working Ranch Magazine January/February 2025

support herd health. Ionophores, such as Rumensin®, help control coc cidiosis. The antibiotics, neomycin or chlortetracycline, are often added to feed during periods of high stress. They reduce the potential for scours and may even prevent cases during stressful periods. “They require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD),” Roof advises. “If we want to wean early, we can put them on chlortetra cycline during that transition period to help prevent a scours outbreak. Sulfa drugs are also used to prevent and treat coccidiosis and may reduce the spread of scours.” Roof encourages operators to develop a good relationship with a veterinarian who knows the ranch er’s production goals and is familiar with the facility and animals. “The veterinarian can anticipate stress points and work through protocols for producers to follow if scours appear,” Roof explains. “Working with your veterinarian to prepare before a scours outbreak is advantageous.” One mistake ranchers make is not

high-quality colostrum is essential for the first 12 hours of a calf’s life. Called “first milk,” this thick, creamy sub stance, chock full of vitamins, miner als, and immunoglobulins, increases a newborn calf’s immunity to fight infections. Colostrum quality also depends on the nutrition and vaccines the dam received in the last trimester. Colostrum replacers may be neces sary. Roof recommends mixing them properly to prevent GI distress. Follow label directions, feeding the product at the recommended temperature. Wash bottles between feedings with soap, water, and diluted chlorine. Make sure bottles are dry to help pre vent scours. “We don’t usually vaccinate calves until they are four to six months or older when maternal antibodies have worn off,” Roof reports. “We vac cinate our dams before calving to improve colostrum and milk antibod ies to protect the calf. There are early vaccinations for calves, especially for rotavirus, coronavirus, or E. coli .” Medicated feed additives may

watching for diarrhea in new calves. When they recognize the scours’ symptoms, they can quickly inter vene, providing a better outcome for the calves. Roof urges operators to buy electrolytes before a scours outbreak to prevent dehydration. If stores sell out, check with the veter inarian for a homemade electrolyte recipe as an electrolyte substitute. “Act quickly,” Roof advises. “Make sure you recognize clinical signs, addressing dehydration ASAP. Keep accurate records on affected calves. We can identify patterns that might occur within a herd, such as dates when scours appeared, recovery, and reinfection. Look for a connection. Work closely with your vet, and plan for prevention and treatment.” Scours have a significant economic impact, so early detection is critical. Be proactive, providing good nutri tion with a complete vitamin and mineral package to dams. Medicated feeds, ionophores, prebiotics, probi otics, and vaccinations help minimize the impact of scours.

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Working Ranch Beef - Jan. Feb. 2025 - 1/3 page 4 color 7” × 4.875”