The Beef Cattle Institute (BCI) at Kansas State University is another great resource for cattle producers. Its mission is to discover and deliver actionable information and tools to promote successful beef production. In its latest BCI Cattle Chat podcast, the K-State team discusses its ‘Top 6 Preventative Health Tips’ for calves prior to weaning:

1. 1. 1. Kill parasites;
      2. Prepare calves for their new environment with water and a feed bunk;
      3. Manage their nutritional needs;
      4. Minimize stressors;
      5. Stimulate immunity through vaccination to match the disease challenges those calves are going to face;
      6. Create a comprehensive plan for understanding your pre-weaning activities and make sure they fit together.

As outlined in an earlier blog post, a pre-wean vaccine should be a key component of your overall health plan as it gives a calf’s immune system time to respond prior to the upcoming stress of weaning. As always, please consult your veterinarian for the plan that best fits your needs.