J. Anim Sci., doi: 10.2527/jas.2007-0593
©Copyright, 2008, The American Society of Animal Science
Effects of on-arrival versus delayed modified-live virus vaccination on health, performance, and serum infectious bovine rhinotracheitis titers of newly-received beef calves
J. T. Richeson 1,
P. A. Beck 1*,
M. S. Gadberry 1,
S. A. Gunter 1,
T. W. Hess 1,
D. S. Hubbell III1,
C. Jones 2
1 University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science Fayetteville 72701
2 Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., St Joseph, MO 64501
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: pbeck{at}uaex.edu.
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Abstract |
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Stress commonly associated with weaning, marketing, and shipment of feeder cattle can temporarily compromise immune function; thereby, reducing the effective response to vaccination intended to control bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Two vaccination timing treatments were used to evaluate the effect of timing of a multivalent modified live virus (MLV) BRD vaccine on health, performance, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) antibody titers of newly-received stocker cattle. Crossbred bull and steer calves (n = 528) were weighed (197 ± 2.4 kg) and randomly assigned to MLV vaccination treatment: 1) MLV vaccination upon arrival (AMLV), or 2) delayed (14 d) MLV vaccination (DMLV). All cattle were processed similarly according to routine procedures with the exception of initial MLV vaccination timing. Subsequently, BW were recorded on d 14, 28, and 42. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, 28, and 42 to determine serum IBR titers, comparisons were made between treatments on a receiving-day basis and an equivalent post-vaccination day basis. Daily BW gains were greater (P 
0.05) for DMLV calves from d 0 to 14 (0.88 vs. 1.16 ± 0.22 kg/d) and from d 0 to 42 (0.65 vs. 0.75 ± 0.09 kg/d). Days to first treatment, total treatment cost, percentage death loss, and pasture ADG after the 42-d receiving period did not differ (P 
0.15). Morbidity rates for BRD were high for both AMLV and DMLV (71.5 and 63.5%, respectively) and did not differ (P = 0.12). Positive IBR titer seroconversion were greater (P 0.03) for DMLV calves on d 42 of the study, and 28 d and 42 d equivalent post-vaccination basis. Delaying vaccination 14 d may increase ADG during the receiving period compared to vaccinating upon arrival; and seroconversion to IBR was greater in DMLV calves, indicating a possible improvement in acquired immune response when MLV vaccination is delayed.
Key Words:
cattle, performance, stress, timing, vaccination timing
