A Randomized controlled trial to test the effect of on- arrival vaccination and deworming on Stocker cattle health and growth performance

Authors

  • Courtney M. Griffin College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • Jenna A. Scott College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
  • Brandi B. Karisch Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • Amelia R. Woolums College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • John R. Blanton Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • Ray M. Kaplan College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
  • William B. Epperson College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762
  • David R. Smith College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol52no1p26-33

Keywords:

bovine respiratory disease, BRD, vaccination, performance, deworming, stocker cattle

Abstract

Our objective was to determine the effect of vaccination and deworming at arrival (d 0) on bovine respiratory disease (BRD) incidence, mortality, and growth of Stocker calves. Calves (n=80) were stratified by d -3 weight and fecal egg count (FEC) into 20 pens of 4 calves. Pens were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2x2 factorial design, testing d 0 vaccination (modified-live respiratory virus and clostridial vaccine, or not) and deworming (oral fenbendazole and levamisole, or not). Body weights were measured on days 0, 14,28,42, 56, 70, and 85, and FEC were measured on days -3, 28, 56, and 85. Incidence of BRD was greater for d 0 vaccination (RR=3.2), high fever (>104°F, >40°C) at d 0 (RR=6), and higher d -3 FEC (RR=1.2 per 100 epg). Mortality was greater for d 0 vaccination (OR=8.3) and high fever (OR=41.6). Growth was 10.3 lb (4.7 kg) lower for d 0 vaccination, 24 lb (11 kg) and 16 lb (7.3 kg) lower for moderate (103°F to 103.9°F; 39.4°C to 39.9°C) and high fever, respectively, and 17.6 lb (8 kg) lower for each additional BRD treatment a calf received. Deworming was neither beneficial nor detrimental to any health or performance factors. Health and growth performance of Stocker calves may be adversely affected by vaccination at arrival, higher arrival FEC, and fever at arrival.

Cover image of Volume 52, No. 1 of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of a person on horseback herding cows and their calves. Image courtesy of Kerstin Mitchell, Western Images, Syracuse, KS

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Published

2018-02-01

How to Cite

Griffin, C. M., Scott, J. A., Karisch, B. B., Woolums, A. R., Blanton, J. R., Kaplan, R. M., Epperson, W. B., & Smith, D. R. (2018). A Randomized controlled trial to test the effect of on- arrival vaccination and deworming on Stocker cattle health and growth performance. The Bovine Practitioner, 52(1), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol52no1p26-33

Issue

Vol. 52, No. 1 (2018 Spring)

Section

Articles

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