Latest news with #InfectiousBovineRhinotracheitis
Agriland
04-08-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Abp Demo Farm Key Stats From Calf Rearing 2025
He noted that this year's calf-rearing season on the demo farm was very successful, with the more consistent temperatures and weather proving helpful for rearing calves. He said: "Big swings in temperatures can be a significant stressor on calves, which can reduce calf performance." Commenting on the main challenges encountered, Maher said: "They were the same issues as every other year but thankfully there were no major issues. "We encountered similar problems as every other year. Small problems with scour, pneumonia, and occasional encounters with coccidiosis." The mortality rate was below 1%, with three lost out of the 419 calves reared. Milk replacer usage on a per calf basis was back slightly on the previous year, averaging 26kg milk powder/calf. Calf arrival and weaning weights were steady on other years. The farm manager said calf performance on milk was good this year with calves doing an average daily liveweight gain of at 0.69kg/day on milk. The table below details the average bull and heifer calf arrival weights, weaning weights and average number of days on milk: Male calves Female calves Average Arrival weight 63kg 59kg 61kg Weaning weight 93kg 91kg 92kg Days on milk 43 47 45 A total of 340 of the calves are now at grass and the last 80 will be turned out in the coming week. The average turnout weight for the calves to date has been averaging between 120kg and 130kg. Maher explained: "We are keeping calves inside for at least 35 days post-weaning to make sure they're adequately weaned and eating enough concentrates." Last year, the ABP Demo Farm introduced a new post-weaning strategy that aims to reduce incidents of summer-scour syndrome. All calves receive their first Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccination at turnout. When calves go to grass, the aim is to avoid lush pastures and freshly fertilised fields in an effort to keep the risk of summer scour syndrome low. Maher said: "We are monitoring dung samples and will be using a white drench as our first wormer as required. "We are also trying to keep calves grazing fresh ground and not picking the same fields to help to reduce the worm burden on the calves." All calves have received two pasturella pneumonia vaccines, two clostridials and two ringworm vaccines. All calves are receiving 2kg/head/day concentrates and have access to straw in the paddocks.
Agriland
22-05-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Watch: The protocol for IBR vaccination of youngstock
Cases of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus are widespread in the cattle population in Ireland, with evidence of exposure in over 70% of dairy herds and 48.8% of beef herds. IBR can cause both clinical and subclinical disease, resulting in significant economic losses at farm level. Clinical infections usually occur when animals are infected for the first time. Typical clinical signs include discharge from the eyes and nose, loud laboured breathing and high temperatures with resulting depression and reduced appetite. Milk yield can be affected, and abortion may also occur. Subclinical infections are those without obvious clinical signs and may go unnoticed, but can result in losses of 2.6kg of milk/cow/day. Those infected for the first time shed high levels of the virus for approximately two weeks. Once infected, animals become lifelong latent carriers of the virus. At times of stress (e.g., mixing/housing/breeding/calving), the virus can reactivate and be shed again, potentially infecting other herd mates. Control of IBR There are three components to controlling this endemic disease: Biosecurity Culling Vaccination Biosecurity Biosecurity includes bio exclusion and bio containment: Bio exclusion (the process of keeping disease out of a herd) is of particular importance in Ireland as many herds purchase cattle, avail of contract rearing, or attend marts or shows. IBR can spread up to 5m, so neighbouring cattle during grazing season can be a source of infection. (the process of keeping disease out of a herd) is of particular importance in Ireland as many herds purchase cattle, avail of contract rearing, or attend marts or shows. IBR can spread up to 5m, so neighbouring cattle during grazing season can be a source of infection. Bio containment (the process of reducing the threat of infection within a herd) relies on herd management – segregating of age groups for example. Culling Culling IBR positive animals can quickly reduce herd prevalence, but it is often impractical and uneconomical. Vaccination To control IBR, vaccination must: Reduce the number of new infections – Reduce virus spread in a herd Reduce severity of clinical signs – Limit cost of disease impact In the absence of virus circulation among the young calf group, vaccination with Bovilis IBR Marker Live starts at three months-of-age, revaccination six months later, and all subsequent revaccinations within 6-12 month periods. Herds with moderate to high seroprevalence are best to remain on a six-monthly vaccination programme. Speak to your vet regarding the most suitable protocol for your herd. If vaccination is needed before three months-of-age (high-risk herds/disease in calves), intranasal vaccination is recommended to overcome maternally derived antibodies. An intramuscular programme begins at three to four months, as stated previously. For spring-calving herds, this means calves will receive their first intramuscular dose in June/July. Bovilis IBR Marker Live provides protection by reducing clinical signs and virus excretion. It is a 2ml single dose IBR vaccine with the fastest available onset of immunity (four days after intranasal administration and 14 days after intramuscular administration). The aim of whole herd vaccination is to decrease the level of IBR in the herd over time by reducing spread and severity of disease, ultimately minimising the economic impact of the virus.
