Viral diseases in beef cow herds are pesky and serious. That's why you vaccinate at least once a year for such things as BVD (Types 1 and 2), IBR, PI3, Lepto, and a few others that your veterinarian recommends.
If that were the whole story, it would be fairly simple. But sometimes the type of vaccine becomes an issue with reproductive performance.
Vaccines come in two types: killed vaccine and modified-live vaccine (MLV).
A killed vaccine has a killed portion of the pathogen and no live material. It still triggers an immune response.
MLV, on the other hand, contains an attenuated version of the live virus that comes closer to mimicking a real infection. It gives a stronger response, experts say, but it can also on rare occasions lead to pregnancy loss.
Elanco cattle reproductive specialist Frank White says research reveals that the strong response to an MLV stresses a cow's reproductive system. It interferes with her ability to form a functional corpus luteum on her ovaries and to produce progesterone, the hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. Sometimes this results in early pregnancy loss.
Elanco, which makes cattle vaccines, has tested its killed vaccine, Vira Shield, against competitive MLVs. Vira Shield resulted in a 4.3% higher pregnancy rate 56 days after breeding. "With 100 cows, that's four more pregnancies," White says.
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Successful Farming.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Successful Farming.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Achieve Optimum Traction
Properly ballast tractor tires in six steps.
Building From the Ground Up
Robert Lager is a leader in soil conservation and community service in northwest Missouri.
TANNENBAUM TRIVIA
Avoid divisive topics at the holiday dinner table and share these interesting facts about Christmas trees instead!
BEHIND CARBON DATA VERIFICATION
Third-party data verification can increase profits from carbon programs.
VACCINES AND MANAGEMENT
Vaccines won't dig you out of a management hole.
Tough LOVE
FROM BLIZZARDS THAT BURY BUILDINGS TO GRASSHOPPER INFESTATIONS OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS, THE KVALE FAMILY HAS SURVIVED AND THRIVED ON THE RUGGED SOUTH DAKOTA PRAIRIE FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.
CUT COSTS, NOT YIELD
When soil health improves, fewer inputs may be needed.
SMALL, BUT MIGHTY
Trace minerals play a critical role in ensuring dairy herd health.
BEEF HEALTH
Advice on killed vs. live vaccines, long-range dewormer, and nutrition.
WHOOPING CRANE COMEBACK PROVES VALUE OF CONSERVATION
Farmers have aided a stunning rally by an endangered species.
