If you are planning on vaccinating the spring-calving herd against scour, now is the time to take action. The timing of administration will depend on which product you use.

The three products on the market are Rotavac Corona (a one-shot vaccine that should be administered from 12 to three weeks pre-calving), Bovigen and Trivacton 6. In year one, the latter two products require a primary shot followed by a booster shot.

The primary should be administered six weeks pre-calving, with the booster administered four weeks after the primary shot.

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Booster shots

In subsequent years, these cows will only require a booster shot two to six weeks pre-calving.

Remember, for the any of these vaccines to be effective, the calf must receive adequate colostrum from the cow within the first few hours of life.

Farmers who had issues in the past with scours should look at vaccinating their herd. While it may not fully eliminate scour incidence on your farm, it should help to reduce incidence and also make recovery faster.

There is no vaccine to protect against cryptosporidium. Lots of colostrum and good hygiene should help reduce crypto incidence.

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