Vaccination Strategy

Autogenous vs. commercial vaccines: Exploring the trade-offs

john.pollreisz@zoetis.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As producers and veterinarians consider vaccination programs, it’s important to understand the key differences between autogenous and commercial vaccines.

Adding value to calves with vaccinations

rii@clemson.edu — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

While disease prevention remains the primary purpose of vaccine programs, a well-designed vaccination protocol is now an essential marketing strategy for producers selling calves into value-added and graded feeder sales.

Customizing animal health disease prevention

jason.anderson@vaxxinova.com — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Technology intersects many segments of agriculture with applications extending into animal health for prevention, detection and treatment of illness. Many of the newer tools are aimed at blending data collection, analysis and specialized interventions.

Investing in the first 60 days: How early-life vaccination prepares calves for feedlot success

sdavila@uidaho.edu — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When done correctly, early-life vaccination helps calves handle the stressors of branding, weaning, transport and feedlot entry with resilience.

Understanding anti-infective classes to improve treatment outcomes

k.shawn.blood@zoetis.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to any disease treatment, it’s imperative to match the drug to the bug – or in other words, use the correct class of antibiotic to control the disease-causing bacteria at hand. The same holds for anti-infectives used to treat bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Proper vaccine handling: Key to effective disease prevention

randal.shirbroun@vaxxinova.com — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

To treat or not to treat: Setting antibiotic re-treatment intervals benefits calves and producers

abby@agproud.com — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

To treat or not to treat? That’s the question producers often face when it comes to re-treating sick calves. It's hard to treat a calf for respiratory disease and not see immediate results. But sticking to an antibiotic’s designated post-treatment interval (PTI) is essential for both calf health and producer success.

When pinkeye vaccines fail

jason.shumaker@vaxxinova.com — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Pinkeye in cattle presents a significant challenge for producers, impacting animal performance and requiring costly and time-consuming treatments. Vaccination against pinkeye is crucial in a producer's prevention strategy, alongside effective fly, weed and dust control with appropriate trace mineral supplementation.

Does preconditioning increase calf value? Data say yes

john.hutcheson@merck.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Taking your calves to auction can feel like a gamble. But what if you could stack the deck in your favor so your calves have a better chance of fetching top dollar? Investing in the right management practices and health protocols can communicate that your calves are ready to face the challenges ahead and are a smart bet for buyers.

Benefits of fever-reducing agents in respiratory disease treatments

k.shawn.blood@zoetis.com — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

NSAIDs are used to reduce pain, inflammation and fever and can be beneficial when used to treat cattle experiencing symptoms of BRD.

Setting up the newborn calf to respond to spring vaccinations

kjenkins2@unl.edu — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Most veterinarians recommend vaccinating nursing calves against clostridial, respiratory and digestive pathogens at 2 months old to bolster immunity against those pathogens.

Immunity is more than just giving a shot

jason.anderson@vaxxinova.com — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

With societal and political pressure surrounding antibiotic use in food animals, preventing disease outbreaks is increasingly important. The words “immunization, not just vaccination” may sound familiar in the context of discussing vaccines, but what is really meant?

Vaccine handling: It’s more important than you think

jessica.newberry@virbacus.com — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

It’s time to work cattle. You’ve gotten the vaccines and all you have to do is load syringes and you’re good to go, right?

The importance of strain variation in vaccines

randal.shirbroun@vaxxinova.com — Thu, 30 May 2024 10:09:12 -0400

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?

Vaccine-adverse reactions: How to minimize the lumps and bumps

richard.linhart@vaxxinova.com — Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Vaccine products that are administered to cattle are foreign to the animal’s body. The goal is for the body to recognize these foreign organisms and develop an immune response for protection in the event of a future disease challenge.

Implementing an autogenous vaccine for pinkeye: It’s so easy, even an academic vet can do it

jmcart@cornell.edu — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A vet shares her experiences creating and implementing an autogenous vaccine for pinkeye, along with tips for treatment and prevention.

Needle care for disease prevention in cattle

lwaechter-mead13@unl.edu — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Disposable hypodermic needles are a necessary tool in maintaining cattle health. They provide a convenient and economical route to deliver products to animals in a safe and effective manner.

The ‘5 W's’ of responsible antibiotic use in cattle

russell.daly@sdstate.edu — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The term “antibiotic stewardship” might sound high level, but it’s something cattle producers and veterinarians practice every day. In human health care, antibiotic stewardship means ensuring that antibiotics are used only when necessary and appropriate.

Time vaccinations to optimize protection

arobinson@neogen.com — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

When it comes to timing vaccinations, be sure to factor in the time needed to best optimize protection.

[Podcast] NCBA Cattle Industry Convention 2024 – Part 3

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

In the third and final segment of our coverage from the NCBA national convention, the team previews the March issue of Progressive Cattle. Abby visits with Elanco's Wayne Ayers about improving conception rates with the proper vaccine strategy. Then Tyrell sits down with Mark McCully to discuss the American Angus Association's Industry Insights survey and what benefits that data can have for American producers. Finally, Carrie talks with veterinarian Brandon Treichler about developing a crisis management plan and how that can protect ranches and the people who make them so special.

Using mRNA vaccines in meat animals Part 2: Do these vaccines hold promise or health concerns?

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Due to the advanced knowledge of DNA sequence and new technologies, we can utilize and manufacture messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines to address traditional vaccine inadequacies.

Killed vs. modified-live vaccines: Which type is right for your operation?

jess.hinrichs@zoetis.com — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

All vaccine types can help set cattle up for success when used according to label directions, but which type makes the most sense for your herd?

Using mRNA vaccines in meat animals Part 1: What are they and how do they work?

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Those who oppose the use of mRNA vaccines fear that consuming meat and milk from mRNA-vaccinated animals could negatively impact our health. Proponents say mRNA vaccines promise to control and eradicate diseases threatening animal health and producer livelihoods.

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

randal.shirbroun@vaxxinova.com — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

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?”

Time to prepare: Fall processing recommendations for weaning-aged calves

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

And just like that, it’s time for fall processing. Let’s look closely at what we’ll need to give our weaning-aged calves a leg up on their next stage of life, starting with vaccination strategy, implants and deworming.

Is there a future for mRNA vaccines in commercial cattle production?

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:52:13 -0400

In recent years, mRNA vaccine technology and all its promises have drifted into public discourse. This year, the possibility of an mRNA vaccine made its way into the beef world, sparking debates, rumors and uncertainty, prompting public statements from major industry leaders.

Reduce antibiotic use and boost your bottom line with targeted metaphylaxis

Fri, 26 May 2023 11:22:46 -0400

As the cattle industry continues to advance and improve antibiotic stewardship practices, producers and veterinarians are reevaluating their approach to metaphylaxis, the administration of antibiotics on arrival to calves at high risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

What causes vaccines to fail?

abby@agproud.com — Fri, 26 May 2023 11:05:05 -0400

Vaccines are great preventative measures producers can use to protect their cattle, but that’s only when they work properly. There are a multitude of reasons vaccines can fail, and knowing solutions will help protect and prevent vaccine failure within your herd.

Spring vaccinations set calves up for long-term success

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

It’s never too early to think about a calf’s respiratory health. The steps producers take this spring with young calves not only help protect them through grazing season, but can help prepare the calves for a more complete immune response with preweaning and weaning booster vaccinations.

Should you re-treat that sick calf?

nathan.meyer@boehringer-ingelheim.com — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

When it comes to bovine respiratory disease, it can be extremely difficult to determine if a sick calf may need a second round of treatment or if the antibiotic should be allowed a few more days to help treat the infection.