NEW PRODUCT

The next generation calf scours vaccine

By Heather van Hout

Anybody who has been through a scours outbreak can tell you, it is one of the worst experiences in farming. If you prepare now, by vaccinating your cows and heifers pre-calving, you can reduce your chances of having a scours outbreak this coming season. Scour-causing pathogens are present on most farms in New Zealand and calves are the future of your farm, so they need all the help they can get!

Vaccinating cows with a single dose of BioBos RCC between 3 and 12 weeks prior to calving, and ensuring calves consume adequate volumes of good quality colostrum, will prevent neonatal diarrhoea from bovine rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli. These three organisms are the most common scour-causing organisms present on New Zealand dairy farms. Unlike other traditional vaccines given to reduce the incidence of neonatal diarrhoea in calves, BioBos RCC:

  • Prevents neonatal diarrhoea

  • Reduces the severity of any cases seen

  • Results in far fewer injection-site reactions after being administered

 
 

Aside from vaccination, keeping calves healthy with the following steps is paramount:

  • All calves should receive 4 – 6 litres of clean, excellent quality, first milking colostrum within 12 hours of birth

  • Receive at least 4 litres of colostrum, per day, for the first two weeks of life

  • Adequate colostrum storage (ideally chilled containers with a secure lid)

  • Hygiene, hygiene, and hygiene!

  • Implement good protocols for sick calves i.e., sick calf pen with solid partitions, separate feeder, boot wash station between pens

  • Staff training to ensure everyone is on the same page

We are always here to help! Give your large animal vet a call if you want to discuss any details regarding this new vaccine. We can also check over your calf rearing and colostrum management protocols to ensure they are tip top, as well as assisting you with upskilling any new staff members for the season.