It’s the fall season again. Some ag producers might consider it wheat-sowing season, or others harvest season.

Some cattle producers might think of the fall as the time to deal with illness in calves. Unfortunately, stress from weaning paired with the fluctuating temperatures can cause an uptick in sickness in beef calves. Some sickness is hard to avoid, but well-planned nutrition and preventive health measures make a difference in preventing some illness.

How do you set up calves for success? Read on for some tips for health and nutrition for your fall calf crop this season.

• Plan for weaning nutrition. Get a hay test now and work with your extension office to develop a nutrition plan targeted to the weight of your calves.

• Get to know your local veterinarian and develop a herd health plan before you have an issue. When calves are coming down with illness, a veterinarian can be your most valuable asset.

• Maintain a good record-keeping system that works for your specific operation. Treatment records should include brand of vaccine, product type (vaccine, antibiotic, etc.), bottle size, expiration date, type of injection (SQ, IM or IV) and person giving treatment.

• Purchase all vaccines and antibiotics from a reputable supplier. Time the purchase of all products as close to treatment as possible.

• Read and follow the label of all vaccines and antibiotics used. Maximize effectiveness of the product by using proper dosage according to animal weight (when possible) and interval of treatment.

• Store all vaccines and antibiotics at 35 F to 46 F, unless otherwise noted on the label. This should include during transport from supplier and during processing. A vaccine cooler can help keep vaccines at a constant temperature during travel or while using them chute side. OSU has good instructions for building your own vaccine cooler: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/chute-side-vaccine-cooler.html

• Use needles that are new and the proper gauge for the product being used and animal being treated. Change needles every 10-15 head unless recommended by your vet. Never enter a vaccine bottle with a used needle.

• Use all modified live vaccines within one hour after reconstitution. Reconstitute with a sterile transfer needle. Killed vaccines should be discarded 2 days after being opened.

• Keep your equipment clean. Clean all exterior parts of syringes first. Flush internal parts 10-15 times. Use only hot water or distilled water for cleaning. Avoid soaps and chemical disinfectants.

Allow equipment to dry in a clean environment, and place in sealed bag to be ready for later use.

These tips don’t just apply to the beef industry. All animal health products should be handled according to label instructions and all livestock will perform their best when provided proper nutrition. I hope these tips can assist producers in the best management for calves this fall. Contact your local county OSU Extension office for more insight into any of these tips.