Managing cattle health at housing
Health management of cattle pre and post housing was the topic for discussion at a recent Beef finisher Business Development Group meeting held on the farm of Jim and Glenn Robinson, Armagh.
At the meeting, Rebecca Cooper from O’Reilly and Fee veterinary practice, Armagh highlighted that pneumonia was one of the main causes of death in cattle. To try and minimise the risk of animals contracting pneumonia it is important to carefully manage the risk factors. Cattle should be housed in well ventilated sheds that aren’t overcrowded and avoid mixing cattle of different age groups.
Pneumonia vaccines can be a useful aid to preventing outbreaks. As there is such a range of different products on the market, it is important for farmers to discuss control plans with their vets to ensure the correct products are selected and administered at the right time.
Parasite control was also discussed and it was highlighted that treatment for worms is important prior to housing, as cattle with a high lung worm burden are at a higher risk of contracting pneumonia.