If you vaccinate pregnant cows against rotavirus scour in their calves, now is the time to give the jab to cows calving in February and March.

It’s only effective against rotavirus scour and is expensive at around €10/dose.

The vaccine protects calves born between three and 12 weeks after their dam is vaccinated. It relies on antibodies being passed to the calf in colostrum, so the calf needs to be getting sufficient biestings for the vaccine to work.

It’s only effective against rotavirus scour and is expensive at around €10/dose so only vaccinate if you need to.

Some farmers who pool colostrum take a chance and vaccinate every second cow on due calving date. Their view is that where the colostrum is pooled the calves will be getting enough antibodies from cows that were vaccinated.

But there are risks associated with pooling colostrum (Johne’s disease) and there is also a risk that not enough antibodies will be passed through.

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