Control of Salmonellosis in Calves

A Clinical Evaluation of Dry Cow Vaccination

Abstract

Calfhood salmonellosis continues to be a major source of economic loss for dairies and commercial calf growers in Southern California. Almost all dairies in our area are drylot operations ranging in size from 200 to 1,200 milking cows. Replacement heifers are raised on the premises or by a commercial calf grower in our area until they are four to eight months old, at which time they are usually shipped out of Southern California. The two most significant health problems our calf growers experience are: (1) neonatal calf diarrhea ("colibacillosis," calf septicemia, reo-, and/or corona virus), and (2) salmonellosis. Salmonellosis may be slightly less prevalent than "colibacillosis," but may represent an equal or greater economic loss since it affects older calves, is resistant to therapy, and is extremely difficult to control.