Proper calving area hygiene should always include:

• Cleaning out dirty bedding.
• Sanitizing pen floors, walls and gates and calving equipment.
• Replacing bedding before each calving.

Use this Calf & Heifer Assessment to identify improvement opportunities on your dairy.

Dr. Godden’s 5 Qs of colostrum management:¹

• Quickly — feed quality colostrum within two hours of birth, followed by another feeding eight hours later.
• Quality — collect colostrum from healthy cows with clean udders within one to two hours of birth.
• Quantity — feed quality colostrum that amounts to 10% of a calf’s body weight (for Holsteins, about 4 quarts).
• sQueaky Clean — collect colostrum that’s free of debris, blood and other contaminants; sanitize colostrum feeding equipment.
• Quantify — measure serum total protein at 1 to 3 days of age.

Learn more about newborn calf management.

REFERENCES: ¹ Godden S. Colostrum management for dairy calves. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2008;24(1):19-39.

• Maternity pen hygiene.
• Ample resting space.
• Ventilation to exchange air.
• Vaccination to support respiratory disease prevention.

INFORCE^TM 3 respiratory vaccine helps boost respiratory disease prevention efforts from day one against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus and parainfluenza 3 (PI 3) virus. INFORCE 3 helps get cattle off to a healthier, more productive start.

• First and only respiratory vaccine labeled for prevention of disease for BRSV.
• Helps prime the immune system for a memory response to subsequent disease challenges.²
• Safe for use in all types, ages and classes of cattle.

REFERENCES: ² Vangeel I, Raue R. Intranasal followed by systemic vaccination is an optimal vaccination schedule for young calves against bovine respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza type 3 virus. World Buiatrics Congress; July 2008; Budapest, Hungary.

• Hiring qualified personnel dedicated to delivery.
• Regular training on newborn care and handling.
• Proper colostrum handling and feeding.
• Engagement, communication and accountability.

Resources to properly educate labor through PeopleFirst™

Calf Wellness training resource — Calf Wellness Guide

• Calves should double birth weight in 56 days and grow 4 to 5 inches in height.
• According to research by Dr. Mike Van Amburgh (Cornell University), calves that are fed a higher plane of nutrition pre-weaning achieve more of their genetic potential. A pound of gain per day from birth to weaning resulted in 1,500 pounds more milk in the first lactation.⁴ This leads to higher lifetime productivity.

Use this Calf & Heifer Assessment to identify improvement opportunities and learn more about the impact of nutrition on future production.

REFERENCES: ³ Van Amburgh ME, Soberon F, Karzses J, Everett RW. Early life nutrition and management impacts long-term productivity of calves, in Proceedings. 23rd Annual Southwest Nutrition and Management Conference 2008.
⁴ Soberon F, Van Amburgh ME. Lactation Biology Symposium: The effect of nutrient intake from milk or milk replacer of pre-weaned dairy calves on lactation milk yield as adults: a meta-analysis of current data. J Anim Sci 2013;91:706-712.

Milk feeding tips:

• Measure and mix milk the same way every time.
• Serve milk at the same time and temperature at each feeding.
• Offer fresh water with each feeding to drive starter intake.
• Increase milk feeding during colder weather, when calves need additional nutrients.

Encourage starter intake and rumen development by:

• Offering small handfuls of starter within the first few days of life.
• Gradually increasing starter amount as the appetite develops.
• Refreshing starter at every feeding.
• Offering fresh water with each feeding to drive starter intake.
• Ensuring calves eat 2% to 3% of body weight daily.

Nutrition and feeding tips — Calf Wellness Guide

Calves impacted by pneumonia during the first 90 days are more likely to experience significantly increased mortality. Affected calves also will experience increased age at first calving, higher incidence of dystocia, lower milk production and greater mortality before first calving and before 120 days in milk.⁵

Work with your veterinarian to conduct regular health assessments to identify potential disease symptoms and establish treatment protocols using the calf health scoring criteria (also available in Spanish) developed by Dr. Sheila McGuirk with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.⁶

DRAXXIN^® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution helps treat and control bovine respiratory disease in a single dose. It’s the first anti-infective on the market labeled to treat and control all four major pathogenic causes of respiratory disease, Mycoplasma bovis, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni. It’s also approved to treat pinkeye (infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis [IBK]) associated with Moraxella bovis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
DRAXXIN has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days. Do not use in dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in animals known to be hypersensitive to the product. See full Prescribing Information here.

REFERENCES: ⁵ Stanton AL, Kelton DF, LeBlanc SJ, Wormuth J, Leslie KE. The effect of respiratory disease and a preventative antibiotic treatment on growth, survival, age at first calving, and milk production of dairy heifers. J Dairy Sci 2012;95(9):4950-4960. ⁶ University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Calf health scoring chart. Available at: http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/8calf/calf_health_scoring_chart.pdf. Accessed October 12, 2013.

Disease management is vital to Calf Wellness. Scours is a leading cause of calfhood mortality and sickness.⁷ Using proper health management to build immunity and minimize exposure can put heifers on the path to greater lifetime productivity.

Vaccinate healthy, pregnant cows and heifers with SCOURGUARD^® 4KC to help protect calves from scours. SCOURGUARD is the only vaccine with demonstrated rotavirus G10 protection. It’s the first and only vaccine with labeled protection for both rotavirus G6 and G10 serotypes. It increases antibody concentrations to rotavirus G10 in the colostrum. And compared with unvaccinated controls, SCOURGUARD has been shown to reduce mortality caused by E. coli by 95%.

Dehydration is the leading cause of death related to scours. Labor should be trained to identify these at-risk calves and address any water and electrolyte loss with fluid therapy.

RE-SORB^® is a fast-acting oral hydration electrolyte product for scouring calves. In dehydrated calves, RE-SORB rapidly replenishes lost electrolytes in an easy-to-mix, palatable formula.

RE-SORB is indicated for use in the control of dehydration associated with diarrhea (scours) in calves, including veal calves, and may be used by the livestock owner as an early treatment at the first signs of scouring. It also may be used as follow-up treatment for the dehydrated calf following intravenous fluid therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Use RE-SORB in calves only. Do not use in calves with severe dehydration.

REFERENCES: ⁷ USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part II: Changes in the U.S. Dairy Cattle Industry, 1991-2007. Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/dairy/downloads/dairy07/Dairy07_dr_PartII.pdf. Accessed December 2, 2013.

Incorporating feed additives in your nutrition programs helps combat intestinal and respiratory challenges. Enteric diseases account for more than 50% of unweaned calf mortality.⁸ Coccidiosis is a prevalent enteric disease that can damage intestinal lining and limit calves’ ability to absorb nutrients critical to growth and immune function.^9,10

Talk to your veterinarian about improving overall health, feed efficiency and average daily gain with feed additives.

DECCOX^® (decoquinate) is a nonantibiotic medication that helps prevent coccidiosis in ruminating and non-ruminating calves (including veal calves) and cattle caused by Eimeria bovis and E. zuernii. DECCOX^®-M (decoquinate) is the only medication labeled for use in whole milk to help prevent coccidiosis in ruminating and non-ruminating calves (including veal calves) and cattle caused by E. bovis and E. zuernii. BOVATEC^® (lasalocid) helps control coccidiosis caused by E. bovis and E. zuernii in cattle up to 800 pounds.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Do not use DECCOX in cows producing milk for food.

Do not use BOVATEC in calves to be processed for veal. Do not allow horses or other equines access to feeds containing lasalocid, as ingestion may be fatal. Feeding undiluted or mixing errors resulting in excessive concentrations of lasalocid could be fatal to cattle or sheep.

REFERENCES: ⁸ NAHMS Dairy Report 2007. Part I: Reference of Dairy Cattle Health and Management Practices in the United States. Section 1:94. ⁹ Daugschies A, Najdrowski M. Eimeriosis in cattle: Current understanding. J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health 2005;52(10):417-427. ¹⁰ Ramsey HA, Whitlow LW, McDaniel BT, Ducharme GA. Protective effect of decoquinate for preruminant Holstein calves in relation to serum Ig. J Dairy Sci 1991;74(Suppl.1):273.

Post-weaning housing and socialization challenges can decrease dry matter intake and open the door to respiratory problems. Transition heifers need enough energy and protein to meet environment-specific needs for maintenance and growth of at least 1.7 to 2.0 pounds per day.

Manage transition challenges by:

• Keeping a consistent diet.
• Providing adequate feeding and resting space.
• Offering clean, free-choice water that is neither frozen nor too hot.
• Avoiding overcrowded pens.
• Grouping calves by similar age and size.
• Incorporating a pneumonia prevention and control protocol.

Use this Calf & Heifer Assessment to identify improvement opportunities on your dairy.

Help keep your calves healthy for a lifetime of productivity. Work with your veterinarian to conduct regular health assessments to identify potential disease symptoms and establish treatment protocols. Record disease events for scours and pneumonia using your herd management software.

Calf health scoring criteria.

DRAXXIN^® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution helps treat and control bovine respiratory disease in a single dose. It’s the first anti-infective on the market labeled to treat and control all four major pathogenic causes of respiratory disease, Mycoplasma bovis, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni. It’s also approved to treat pinkeye (infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis [IBK]) associated with Moraxella bovis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
DRAXXIN has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days. Do not use in dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in animals known to be hypersensitive to the product. See full Prescribing Information here.

AUREOMYCIN^® (chlortetracycline) crumbles are a five-day feed additive program for the treatment of bacterial enteritis caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and bacterial pneumonia caused by Pasteurella multocida susceptible to chlortetracycline in replacement heifers.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Do not use AUREOMYCIN in calves to be processed for veal.

Respiratory disease is the primary challenge in post-weaned heifers, especially immediately after moving from individual to group housing. Growers should develop health management protocols, including vaccination programs, with their herd veterinarian based on the age of animals, environment and best management practices.

INFORCE^™ 3 respiratory vaccine can be administered at the time of weaning to help boost the immunity of INFORCE 3 given at birth. Calves vaccinated before the age of 6 months should be revaccinated after 6 months of age to avoid possible maternal antibody interference with immunization.

ONE SHOT^® BVD can help expand respiratory vaccination programs that include INFORCE 3 to better protect young calves with the additional respiratory protection they need. When used in combination, the two vaccines help provide the antigens that young calves need to build their immunity before commingling.

The BOVI-SHIELD GOLD^® family of vaccines helps offer protection through many growth phases against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) Types 1 and 2 viruses, parainfluenza 3 (PI 3) virus and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV).

When handling vaccines, use the following tips to help ensure vaccines reach their full potency:

• Always read and follow label instructions.
• Keep vaccines between 35°F to 45°F and out of direct sunlight.
• Teach and review your operation’s vaccine programs.

Work with your veterinarian to develop the right vaccination programs for your herd. Their expertise and experience are essential when selecting the best solution for the diseases affecting your operation.

It’s important to maintain growth momentum after weaning. Incorporating feed additives in your nutrition programs helps combat intestinal and respiratory challenges. Enteric diseases account for more than 50% of unweaned calf mortality.¹¹ Coccidiosis is a prevalent enteric disease that can damage intestinal lining and limit heifers’ ability to absorb nutrients critical to growth and immune function.^12,13

BOVATEC^® (lasalocid) is a medicated feed additive that helps control coccidiosis caused by Eimeria bovis and E. zuernii in cattle up to 800 pounds. It also is approved for increased rate of weight gain.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Do not use BOVATEC in calves to be processed for veal. Do not allow horses or other equines access to feeds containing lasalocid, as ingestion may be fatal. Feeding undiluted or mixing errors resulting in excessive concentrations of lasalocid could be fatal to cattle or sheep.

REFERENCES: ¹¹NAHMS Dairy Report 2007. Part I: Reference of Dairy Cattle Health and Management Practices in the United States. Section 1:94. ¹²Daugschies A, Najdrowski M. Eimeriosis in cattle: Current understanding. J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health 2005;52(10):417-427. ¹³Ramsey HA, Whitlow LW, McDaniel BT, Ducharme GA. Protective effect of decoquinate for preruminant Holstein calves in relation to serum Ig. J Dairy Sci 1991;74(Suppl.1):273.

Parasites are found in almost all grasses and forages and can cause numerous problems, including suppressed appetite and reduced feed intake. Reduced nutrition intake impacts many aspects of performance, including:

• Gain.
• Feed efficiency.
• Immune response.
• Reproduction.

DECTOMAX^® 1% Injectable offers precision dosing to help treat and control internal and external parasites of cattle. No other single injectable product controls a broader spectrum of internal and external parasites than DECTOMAX — including 36 stages of adult parasites, L4 larvae and inhibited larvae. DECTOMAX is a tissue-friendly injectable solution that can be administered to cattle by subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injection in the neck region. The recommended route is via SC injection to minimize the risk of injection-site blemishes and is in accord with Beef Quality Assurance guidelines.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
DECTOMAX Injectable has a 35-day pre-slaughter withdrawal period. DECTOMAX Pour-On has a 45-day pre-slaughter withdrawal period. Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. DECTOMAX has been developed specifically for cattle and swine. Use in dogs may result in fatalities.

Evaluating your genetics with CLARIFIDE^® gives you the power to make more informed decisions about the future of your herd. With CLARIFIDE, you get more than genomic testing. The Zoetis team of technical experts helps you create a genomics strategy for selecting and managing dairy females for the best possible return on investment. CLARIFIDE can help you:

• Focus resources on females with the genetic potential to improve your herd.
• Identify females that will deliver a higher return from advanced reproductive technologies.
• Reveal strengths and weaknesses in genetic potential within your herd.

In addition to providing faster genetic progress, CLARIFIDE^® provides you with a more efficient use of resources and greater return on your investment. Your Zoetis representative can walk you through the Genetic Selection Calculator to help calculate the value of genomically enhanced selection decisions.

Work with your Zoetis representative to input your information and discuss the results.

Take control of your heifer inventory. Your Zoetis representative can walk you through the Heifer Inventory Calculator to estimate how many heifers you need to keep to maintain your milking herd. The calculator uses the following data to estimate heifer inventory requirements and potential excess supply:

• Number of milking cows.
• Replacement rate.
• Heifer loss, including mortality and failure to conceive.
• Age at first calving.
• Risk-based security margins.
• Number of available replacement heifers.

Work with your Zoetis representative to input your information and discuss options for managing your heifer inventory.

Prepare heifers for breeding and full lifetime productivity by helping protect them against diseases that reduce fertility and cause abortions. BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP^® 5 L5 HB helps prevent infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus abortions and respiratory disease associated with IBR, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) Types 1 and 2 viruses, parainfluenza 3 (PI 3) virus and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV).* It also prevents Lepto hardjo-bovis infection, urinary shedding and kidney colonization. The last dose of BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP 5 L5 HB for replacement heifers should be given 30 to 60 days prior to breeding.

*Do not use in pregnant cattle (abortions can result) unless they were vaccinated, according to label directions, with any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine prebreeding initially and within 12 months thereafter. Do not use in calves nursing pregnant cows unless their dams were vaccinated within the past 12 months as described above. To help ensure safety in pregnant cattle, heifers must receive at least 2 doses of any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine with the second dose administered approximately 30 days prebreeding.

Your heifer vaccination program is only as effective as your storage and handling protocols. Poor handling and storage can reduce vaccine potency and effectiveness. Research trials and data showing product efficacy are based on storage temperatures indicated on the label.

Consider these vaccine storage and handling tips:

• Always read and follow label instructions.
  • Labels clearly indicate the proper procedures to yield the best outcome from a vaccine.
• Keep vaccines cool and out of direct sunlight.
  • Always store vaccines according to the label.
  • Make sure vaccines are cold when delivered and refrigerate immediately.
  • Refrigerate vaccines between 35°F to 45°F.
  • Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to monitor temperature.
• Train employees about proper storage and handling.
  • Instruct employees to take only the amount of vaccine needed and to keep the rest refrigerated.
  • Remind employees that once they open vaccine bottles, the clock starts ticking. Each vaccine has a specific time limit for use. For example, modified-live vaccines must be used within one hour of being mixed.
• Consult with your herd veterinarian to develop and review herd vaccination programs.
  • Involve your veterinarian as much as possible. Your veterinarian is most familiar with diseases unique to your operation and is the most knowledgeable when it comes to vaccine selection.

Reproduction is the last investment phase of a Calf Wellness program. Growing heifers to breeding age can be costly. Actively managing breeding to ensure first calving at 22 months of age helps ensure a more promising return on your investment. Every month first calving is delayed beyond 22 months costs producers more than $100 per heifer in lost milk production opportunity and additional raising costs.¹⁴

The key to reducing age at first calving is to manage the first breeding. Gestation is a fixed length and heifers will calve nine months after conception. Once heifers reach breeding size targets (about 55% of mature body weight) and are at least 11 months of age, they are ready for first insemination.

Producers who routinely achieve an age at first calving between 22 and 24 months capture increased return on their heifer raising investment in the following ways:

• Reduced raising costs from fewer days on feed.
• Earlier return on investment, because they join the milk herd quickly.
• Increased expansion or culling flexibility as heifers enter the herd.
• Fewer replacements required on inventory to support herd size goals.

REFERENCE: ¹⁴ USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part II: Changes in the U.S. Dairy Cattle Industry, 1991-2007. Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/dairy/downloads/dairy07/Dairy07_dr_PartII.pdf. Accessed December 2, 2013.

Five simple steps can result in better heifer reproduction on your operation.

1. Move heifers to the breeding pen.
   Timely pen movement often is overlooked. Heifers should be moved into the artificial insemination (AI) pen as they reach height and weight targets and are ready for breeding. On most dairies, heifers should be moved at least every two weeks, but weekly is better.
2. Use prostaglandin on the date of the move.
   Administer LUTALYSE^® (dinoprost tromethamine) Sterile Solution on the day of movement and again 10 to 12 days later for heifers not yet inseminated. Research has found that administering LUTALYSE in this protocol can improve breeding success.¹⁵
3. Make sure all heifers are inseminated.
   Eazi-Breed^™ CIDR^® Cattle Insert should be used for synchronization of heifers not inseminated during their first 28 days in the breeding pen. This will ensure all heifers are inseminated within 36 days of arrival into the AI pen.
4. Do routine pregnancy checks.
   Conduct pregnancy diagnosis routinely as heifers are moved to the breeding pen to identify pregnant females and move them out, making room for new heifers. All pregnancies should be reconfirmed at 70 to 90 days of carrying a calf.
5. Re-enroll open heifers.
   At each pregnancy check, any heifers that aren’t bred should be immediately submitted to a breeding program with LUTALYSE and/or Eazi-Breed CIDR.

LUTALYSE helps synchronize estrus and improve first-service pregnancy rates. Research has found that administering LUTALYSE on the day heifers are moved to the breeding pen and again 10 to 12 days later for animals not yet inseminated can improve breeding success.¹⁵

Eazi-Breed CIDR can help tighten estrous synchronization so heifers come into heat and can be bred in a narrow window. Eazi-Breed CIDR can result in several improvements to a reproductive program.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Women of childbearing age and persons with respiratory problems should exercise extreme caution when handling LUTALYSE. LUTALYSE is readily absorbed through the skin and may cause abortion and/or bronchiospasms, therefore spillage on the skin should be washed off immediately with soap and water. Aseptic technique should be used to reduce the possibility of post-injection clostridial infections. Do not administer LUTALYSE in pregnant cattle unless cessation of pregnancy is desired. See full Prescribing Information, here.

Avoid contact with skin by wearing protective gloves when handling EAZI-BREED CIDR inserts. Do not use in heifers of insufficient size or age for breeding or in cattle with abnormal, immature or infected genital tracts. Do not use inserts more than once.

REFERENCES:¹⁵ Stevenson JL, Rodrigues JA, Braga FA, et al. Effect of breeding protocols and reproductive tract score on reproductive performance of dairy heifers and economic outcome of breeding programs. J Dairy Sci 2008;91:3424-3438.

Genetics define what lifetime productivity can be. The other aspects of Calf Wellness work to realize that potential. Cows can only perform to the potential they are born with genetically. Initiating a genomic testing program with CLARIFIDE^® gives you the information you need to make more informed decisions. Technologies like embryo transfer and sexed semen provide options for managing high-genetic-potential individuals. Implementing a program with a Zoetis representative will turn that information into a genetic strategy that achieves results.

As an example of a herd breeding strategy, utilizing genomic results might look like this:

• Lowest 10% to 15% — sell for dairy or beef.
• Next 20% to 40% — use as recipient animals for embryo transfer, allowing them to enter the milking herd but not transmit their genetics.
• Next 20% to 40% — breed to sexed semen.
• Top 1% to 2% — enroll in embryo transfer programs.

Learn more about genomic testing with CLARIFIDE.

Vaccinating against reproductive diseases can help protect your reproductive program and bottom line. Timing is everything when it comes to successful reproductive programs, and that includes timing of vaccinations to help prevent reproductive diseases. Following the timing guidelines on product labels is critically important to helping guarantee safety and efficacy.

Studies involving infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus vaccines have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of modified-live viral (MLV) vaccines, such as the line of BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP^® vaccines for helping protect pregnant heifers, cows and their fetuses.* Cattle vaccinated with BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP within the preceding 12 to 17 months and then vaccinated during each trimester of pregnancy had abortion rates similar to the control group, which was vaccinated with a placebo.^16,17.18

Remember, pregnant cattle can receive MLV vaccines, but they must always be introduced to MLVs before pregnancy. If they aren’t exposed pre-pregnancy, they are at a high risk of abortion.

Learn more about common causes of abortion and other reproductive failure.

*Do not use in pregnant cattle (abortions can result) unless they were vaccinated, according to label directions, with any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine prebreeding initially and within 12 months thereafter. Do not use in calves nursing pregnant cows unless their dams were vaccinated within the past 12 months as described above. To help ensure safety in pregnant cattle, heifers must receive at least 2 doses of any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine with the second dose administered approximately 30 days prebreeding.

REFERENCES: ¹⁶ Data on file, Study Report No. 2434H-60-02-048, Zoetis Inc. ¹⁷ Data on file, Study Report No. 2434H-60-02-049, Zoetis Inc. ¹⁸ Data on file, Study Report No. 2434H-60-02-050, Zoetis Inc.

Parasites are found in almost all grasses and forages and can cause numerous problems, including suppressed appetite and reduced feed intake. Reduced nutrition intake impacts many aspects of performance, including:

• Gain.
• Feed efficiency.
• Immune response.
• Reproduction.

DECTOMAX^® 1% Injectable offers precision dosing to help treat and control internal and external parasites of cattle. No other single injectable product controls a broader spectrum of internal and external parasites than DECTOMAX — including 36 stages of adult parasites, L4 larvae and inhibited larvae. DECTOMAX is a tissue-friendly injectable solution that can be administered to cattle by subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injection in the neck region. The recommended route is via SC injection to minimize the risk of injection-site blemishes and is in accord with Beef Quality Assurance guidelines.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
DECTOMAX Injectable has a 35-day pre-slaughter withdrawal period. DECTOMAX Pour-On has a 45-day pre-slaughter withdrawal period. Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. DECTOMAX has been developed specifically for cattle and swine. Use in dogs may result in fatalities.

A healthy transition to lactation depends on nutrition and disease management. Pre-fresh heifers’ fragile immune systems make them easy targets for respiratory challenges, such as bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Pre-fresh immunity can be compromised when heifers start preparing for freshening and colostrum production for their calves. This change, coupled with the demands of lactation, weakens their ability to respond to disease exposure. Help keep pre-fresh heifers healthy by:

• Encouraging dry matter intake through regular access to feed and fresh water.
• Providing 30 inches of feed bunk space per animal for 25 days before and after calving.
• Maintaining a clean, dry and comfortable resting space with plenty of fresh air.
• Vaccinating them to help reduce the risk of respiratory infection. INFORCE^™ 3 respiratory vaccine helps stimulate immunity where pathogens attack first, intranasally. It helps trigger a quick immune response to help prime the immune system. Vaccinate prior to freshening to help reduce the risk of BRSV infection.

Freshening and colostrum production can challenge first-calf heifers’ immune systems, putting them at a higher risk of salmonellosis. Controlling Salmonella can help prevent infection of the rest of the herd. SALMONELLA NEWPORT BACTERIAL EXTRACT VACCINE^† with SRP^® technology helps control disease and fecal shedding of Salmonella Newport, helping reduce disease incidence and, potentially, improve herd performance.¹⁹ The SRP technology in the SALMONELLA NEWPORT BACTERIAL EXTRACT VACCINE helps block the iron-gathering mechanism, leading to the death of the bacteria.²⁰

Work with your veterinarian to develop a vaccination strategy to help prevent Salmonella and keep fresh cows healthy.

REFERECES:¹⁹ Dodd CC, Renter DG, Thomson DU, Nagaraja TG. Evaluation of the effects of a commercially available Salmonella Newport siderophore receptor and porin protein vaccine on fecal shedding of Salmonella bacteria and health and performance of feedlot cattle. Am J Vet Res 2011;72(2):239-247. ²⁰ Hermesch DR, Thomson DU, Loneragan GH, Renter DR, White BJ. Effects of a commercially available vaccine against Salmonella enterica serotype Newport on milk production, somatic cell count, and shedding of Salmonella organisms in female dairy cattle with no clinical signs of salmonellosis. Am J Vet Res 2008;69(9):1229-1234. ^†This product license is conditional. Efficacy and potency test studies are in progress.

Timing of scours vaccination is important for adequate antibody transfer into the colostrum.

Vaccinate healthy pregnant heifers with SCOURGUARD^® 4KC to help protect calves from scours caused by bovine rotavirus (serotypes G6 and G10), bovine coronavirus, Clostridium perfringens Type C and enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli.

Every month first calving is delayed beyond 22 months costs producers more than $100 per heifer in lost milk production opportunity and additional raising costs.²¹

The Feed Loss Evaluator is a tool that your Zoetis representative can walk you through to identify financial loss, such as feed and facility costs, due to heifer reproduction program inefficiencies.

To use the Feed Loss Evaluator, you’ll need:

• Number of heifers you breed annually.
• Average cost per day for your mature heifer ration.
• Current median age at conception (the median age at conception is the age at which 50% of the animals conceive, which provides a better representation of herd performance).

Work with your Zoetis representative to input your information and discuss the results.

REFERENCES: ²¹ USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part II: Changes in the U.S. Dairy Cattle Industry, 1991-2007. Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/dairy/downloads/dairy07/Dairy07_dr_PartII.pdf. Accessed December 2, 2013.

Help ensure a safe calving for the health of the heifer and her calf. Refer to your dairy’s calving procedures or contact your veterinarian for assistance.

• Monitor close-up heifers for calving signs every two to four hours.
• Watch for early calving signs:
  • Swollen udder and teats
  • Heifer looking uneasy or pacing
  • Enlargement or softening of the vulva
  • Raised tailhead
  • Visible water bag
• Watch for calving progression during labor:
  • Burst water bag
  • Appearance of calf’s feet, legs or muzzle
• Consult with your veterinarian about assisting the heifer if:
  • The water bag has been visible for 70 minutes
  • The heifer has been pushing for 30 minutes with no progress
  • The heifer stops pushing for more than 20 minutes or shows signs of fatigue