Working Ranch Magazine Summer 2025

Keep An Eye Out

Because pinkeye strains change, pro ducers may vaccinate for a pinkeye strain they do not have. “Autogenous vaccine companies only produce 550-1000 doses or more,” Strickland explains. “Several producers in one area probably have the same pinkeye strain. They can go together to pur chase doses of autogenous vaccines. The producers I’ve talked to say it’s worked really well for them.” Savvy ranchers can stay on top of pinkeye. Make a plan with a trusted veterinarian to develop pinkeye pre vention strategies.

Check This Out! starts, removing them at first frost. “Watch your cows, using prevention protocols early in the year,” Strickland advises. “Gear up for fly control, clip pastures, and practice aggressive fly control. Most of the commercially available pinkeye vaccines are for Moraxella bovis . Recently, Moraxella bovoculi vaccines have entered the market. They aren’t combined, so pro ducers should consult their veterinar ian to develop a vaccine protocol.” Farmers can have an autogenous vaccine made for pinkeye. This prac tice requires a culture.

heads do not irritate the cattle’s eyes. Reduce dust, if possible. Provide shade because sunlight irritates the eye, pre disposing the animal to pinkeye. Fly prevention tactics are critical. “Make sure all fly prevention meth ods you use in one year are the same class of chemicals,” Stickland stresses. “If you use a pyrethroid ear tag, be sure to use a pyrethroid pour-on or pyrethroid backrub, and charge for the backrub. Mixing chemicals in one season causes flies to develop chemical resistance. For exam ple, do not use an organophosphate and a pyrethroid pour-on. It’s challenging to control face flies because they’re in the herd for a short time, then fly up to three miles to share the Moraxella bacteria with another herd. I recom mend producers use fly traps because we have so many issues with chemical resistance. I suggest 55-gallon drum fly traps or even homemade flytraps.” Flies must have fresh, green manure in which to lay their eggs. Manure control takes extra management, but dragging pastures helps manure dry out, and then the fly has no fresh pats in which to lay eggs. Strickland is a fan of Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) that are fed to cat tle in loose minerals or in a mineral tub or block. He recommends putting IGRs out in March before fly season

Vetericyn Plus® Pink Eye Spray is specially formulated for irritated eyes showing signs of Pink Eye. Based on advanced hypochlorous technology, Vetericyn Plus® Pink Eye Spray is formulated at an appropriate pH level and will not burn or sting. Apply to eyes to provide relief from irritation, burning, stinging, itching, pollutants and other foreign materials. Also, use it to wash away mucus secretions and discharge. This product is also helpful for symptoms of conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), eye abrasions, and eye irritation. The trigger spray applicator facilitates application directly to the eye and is safe for all animal species in all life stages.

FEATURES » Relieve eyes suffering from allergies, burning or stinging » Safe & non- toxic

» No alcohol, steroids or antibiotics » Non- irritating & non-sensitizing » Safe if licked or ingested » Safe for all animal skin types at all life stages » No withdrawal period » Low per-use application cost

42 I SUMMER 2025 WORKING RANCH audited readers run 21 million head of beef cattle.