Summary
Beefcorp in conjunction with contract calf rearers, Corowa Vet Clinic, Intervet and MLA, undertook a research project to see if two bovine respiratory vaccines, Bovilis MH and Rhinoguard, might assist in decreasing the occurrence of respiratory illness in three Victorian Calf Rearing Facilities in one rearing season (2006). These two vaccines are usually used mainly in older cattle to control respiratory disease in feedlots. In the preceding year (2005), a small investigative trial was conducted on a subset of calves on only two rearing properties, which suggested a positive effect. Thus the opportunity to repeat such a trial on more properties with a larger number of calves was considered appealing.
The incidence of respiratory disease in rearing facilities can vary from year to year. On average, it was estimated, based on experience from past years that approximately one quarter of all calf deaths and about 50% of all veterinary intervention is due to respiratory illness; about 15% of calves receive antibiotics in our rearing facilities. Ideally it was hoped that use of both vaccines might result in decreased mortality and treatment rates for respiratory disease. Collectively the vaccines protect against a viral and a bacterial component of respiratory disease.
