Although ranching comes with a whole host of risks, vaccinations have the potential to lower that risk substantially. While vaccines may not save every cow in a herd from disease, it does give producers the chance to protect the majority of the herd from several diseases that cause sickness and even death.
In this Ruminating with RealAg podcast episode, host Amber Bell is joined by Dr. Roy Lewis, public speaker, writer and veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, to discuss the importance of having a herd vaccination program and the best management practices around them.
The two talk about the different vaccinations that are available, as well as where and when they might be most useful, how to ensure that producers are getting the most out of the vaccines that they are paying for, common issues such as footrot and pink eye and how those can best be managed, as well as the role of genetics, nutrition and herd immunity.
“Good management practices tied in with good vaccination practices are really… the golden thing at the end of the day,” says Lewis.
So grab your favourite drink, a comfy chair, and settle in for the great conversation below!
Ruminating with RealAg is a RealAgriculture podcast series hosted by Amber Bell that focuses on all things bovine. We’re here to chew the cud on everything from the latest in cattle genetics, to how to keep your herd happy with rotational grazing, to winter feeding techniques and everything in between.
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