The value of a vaccination programme for cattle

Vaccination is essential for any cattle operation, especially given the increasing risk of disease outbreaks. According to Dr Paul Reynolds, a veterinarian at the Warden and Vrede Animal Hospitals, vaccines are never developed arbitrarily. Each exists because a specific disease threat warranted it.

- By Christal-Lize Muller

This article outlines a generic summer vaccination programme for cattle in extensive farming systems. Such a programme is most effective when implemented correctly and developed in consultation with a veterinarian. Vaccination remains one of the most important and cost-effective management tools available to producers. “The greater the potential losses due to a disease, the more expensive the vaccine tends to be. Yet even a costly vaccine will prove to be far cheaper than losing your herd,” Dr Reynolds explains.

Reproductive diseases often result in significant financial losses, while zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis and chlamydiosis pose an additional threat because they can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Benefits and guidelines

By vaccinating their animals, producers are protecting not only their herds, but also their families, employees, and themselves. “Vaccination is like a firebreak: a small loss protecting the rest of the farm. Nobody likes emergencies, which is why systems such as a properly implemented vaccination programme help prevent negative consequences.”

Vaccinations can be incorporated into a planned herd-health programme and are among the few management actions that can be budgeted for in advance. While diseases can still catch a producer off guard, an effective vaccination schedule reduces labour demands. When you no longer have to constantly search for sick animals, farming becomes more enjoyable.