| Age of Calf | Recommended Practices |
| Soon after birth | If dehorning is required, it is much less stressful for a baby calf than for an older one. Use a dehorning scoop, dehorning paste, or a dehorning iron. |
| 2 to 4 months of age | Clostridial (Blackleg) vaccination
administered subcutaneously. Make sure calves have access to free choice minerals from birth through weaning. Trace minerals can affect a calf's immune response. Dehorn, if not done earlier. |
| 3 to 4 weeks preweaning (a) | Vaccinate for IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV. Vaccines
used at this time should be safe for pregnant cows, since calves
will still be nursing their dams, and some vaccines may cause
virus shedding by vaccinated calves. Vaccinate for Pasteurella hemolytica (Consult your veterinarian about which product to use.) Vaccinate for Haemophilus somnus if recommended by your veterinarian. Deworn |
| At weaning (b) | Booster vaccinate for IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV. Wean calves into an area where they can be observed closely for at least 4 weeks. This area should be close to good working facilities in case any calves begin to show signs of sickness and need to be treated. Check them for signs of sickness at least twice a day. Failure to come up for feed is often an early sign of sickness. Be ready to treat at the first signs of sickness. Consult your herd veterinarian about a treatment plan for sick calves. |
| While grazing | Deworm at regular intervals. Deworming when grazing begins, followed by two additional treatments at 3- to 4-week intervals, in stocker calves grazing pastures with high stocking rates. |
| (a)In the event it is impossible
to work calves before weaning, administer the above pre-weaning
vaccinations at weaning, and booster vaccinate for IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV
2 weeks later. Deworm at the time of the booster vaccination.
Another option is to vaccinate for IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV when clostridial
vaccinations are given to calves at 2 to 4 months of age. Booster
vaccinate for IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV and vaccinate for Pasteurella
hemolytica at weaning. Deworm these calves after the initial
stress of weaning has passed. (b)For more infromation on handling weaned calves under stress, see Extension Publication ANR-628, "Risk-Management Health Program For Stocker And Feeder Calves." |
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