Randy Shirbroun

Proper vaccine handling: Key to effective disease prevention

Vaccines represent important tools in our preventive health programs. But as with any tools, we need to make sure we care for and use them properly for maximum effectiveness and benefit. Failure to handle vaccines correctly may jeopardize their efficacy and even safety, resulting in wasted time and money.

August 6, 2025

Randy Shirbroun

To minimize the economic impact of infectious disease in our cattle, it is important that we work together with our veterinarian to develop well-designed preventive health programs. Essential components of those programs are the vaccines we select and the schedule we utilize.

The importance of strain variation in vaccines

Vaccination stimulates immunity specific to the strains in the vaccine you are using. If the strains of the pathogens challenging your cattle don’t match the strains in the vaccine, you may not get the protection you want.

May 30, 2024

Randy Shirbroun

Have you, or a cattle producer friend, ever encountered a situation where you vaccinated your cow herd against rotavirus scours but still had problems with rotavirus scours? What about experiencing a Histophilus somni (H. somni) break in pens of vaccinated feedlot calves? Or Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis)? Or pinkeye?

Rotavirus in calves: What is causing the problem and how do we address it?

Rotavirus is a common enteric pathogen resulting in dangerous dehydration due to its effect on the intestinal lining. Treatment should focus on correcting the loss of fluids and electrolytes, while effective prevention measures include biosecurity and vaccination protocols.

October 2, 2023

Randy Shirbroun

Many cow-calf producers can relate to the frustration and challenges associated with scours, or diarrhea in baby calves. The typical and very reasonable questions to ask would include, “What is causing the problem?” and “How do we address it?”