Tackling calf pneumonia from day one in county Antrim

Fourth-generation dairy farmer Robert Duncan runs Largyvale Farm in Crumlin, south Antrim, alongside his wife Janet and son Chris.

The family milk 220 Holstein-Fleckvieh cross cows, predominantly autumn calving, with the herd grazing during the daytime throughout the summer and fully housed during the winter.

Like many dairy farmers, calf health is a key priority on the Duncan farm, with pneumonia having been a particular challenge in their young calves.

“A few years ago, we started using Bovilis IBR Marker Live. It worked very well, but we were still seeing signs of pneumonia in calves during the first two weeks of life,” explains Robert.

Following advice from their vet, James McCann of Firmount Vets, the Duncans began using Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live as well as Bovilis IBR Marker Live to provide more comprehensive protection and from an earlier age.

“We give Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live on day one and then Bovilis IBR Marker Live in batches of five from day 14,” says Robert.

“The combination of both vaccines is working very well. We no longer see signs of pneumonia in calves during those first 14 days, and they’re coming forward and feeding much better.”

Hear how the Duncan family are tackling calf pneumonia from day one here.

Early and fast protection

Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live is a live intranasal vaccine for calves which can be administered from the day of birth.

It reduces clinical signs and viral shedding from infection with RSV and PI3, two of the most common viral causes of pneumonia.

Administered as a single 2 ml intranasal dose, Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live provides immunity against RSV and PI3 within just seven days, delivering the fastest protection available on the market. The duration of protection is 12 weeks after vaccination.

Good management alongside vaccination

For the farm’s vet, James McCann, it is the combination of good management and an appropriate vaccination programme that is helping the Duncan family rear healthy calves.

“The Duncan farm is very well managed, and the vaccines have played an important role in getting those calves up and going from day one,” says James.

“The benefit of Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live is that we can give it from the day the calf is born and it starts to act very quickly, which is particularly important in those first few weeks when calves are most vulnerable.

“This allows the Duncans to rear healthy calves, achieve good daily weight gains and push those calves on further.”

The importance of vaccinating calves against pneumonia

According to Alise Callaghan, technical vet with MSD Animal Health:

“Early protection against calf pneumonia is extremely important, as lung lesions associated with an impact on future performance have been identified in calves as young as two weeks of age.

“At this stage, calves are still adapting to their new environment, and their immune systems are still developing, which can leave them particularly vulnerable. As Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live can be administered from birth, it helps to protect calves during this critical early-life period.”

Speak to your vet to determine the most appropriate management and vaccination programme for your herd.

Find out more information at Bovilis INtranasal RSP Live