Calves
Calves

Calf health

Healthy calves: Herd productivity starts here

Now’s the time to lay the groundwork for a vigorous, high-producing herd:

  • It starts with building strong immunity to help protect young calves from infectious agents that can cause respiratory, digestive and other diseases
  • Parasite control and scours management can help minimize roadblocks to healthy growth and weight gain
  • A verified preconditioning program can help you deliver healthy calves that demand more at auction

How can my calves build strong immunity to help fight off disease?

Colostrum management and vaccination are important to help protect young calves from organisms that cause respiratory and digestive diseases. 


Colostrum management

  • Because the cow’s antibodies don’t cross the placenta during pregnancy, the calf relies on the antibodies provided in the dam’s colostrum
  • After four to six hours, the calf’s ability to absorb antibodies declines until 24 hours, when the window closes
  • Make sure calves start nursing as soon as possible after calving
  • As a rule of thumb, the calf should receive about 4 quarts of colostrum during the first four hours of life
  • Colostrum replacements may be necessary if maternal colostrum is not available or in short supply
  • To help cow herds produce better quality and quantity of colostrum, provide pregnancy-safe vaccinations and solid nutrition to maintain body condition scores of 5 or 6 before calving


Calf vaccinations

  • As maternal antibodies wane, vaccinations can stimulate earlier immunity
  • Vaccination protocols should be based on the disease risks in your area and the recommendations of your veterinarian
  • Common early vaccinations include those against:
    • Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR)
    • Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) Types 1 and 2, including BVDV Type 1b
    • Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV)
    • Parainfluenza 3 (Pl3)
    • Mannheimia haemolytica
    • Clostridium spp.
    • Pinkeye (Moraxella bovis)

There has to be a way to minimize respiratory disease and scours outbreaks in my calves.

Raising healthy calves starts with preventing the two most common threats to their early performance — bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and calf scours. Both can set calves back, impacting growth, treatment costs and overall herd productivity. 

Respiratory disease often strikes after stress events such as weaning, transportation or environmental change, while scours typically affects newborns in the first weeks of life. Focus on building immunity, managing stress and creating a clean environment to supports long-term resilience. 


Tips to reduce disease pressure:

  • Support early immunity: Ensure calves receive adequate, high-quality colostrum within the first hours of life. 
  • Vaccinate strategically: Work with your veterinarian to develop targeted protocols. 
  • Manage stress: Limit commingling and hauling when possible; provide proper shelter and ventilation to reduce respiratory stress. 
  • Keep it clean: Maintain dry, deep-bedded calving areas and clean feeding equipment regularly to minimize scours-causing bacteria and viruses. 
  • Monitor closely: Early detection of coughing, nasal discharge or diarrhea allows for faster treatment and improved outcomes. 
  • Maintain nutrition: Balanced nutrition supports immune development and helps calves recover faster from health challenges. 

What can I do to prevent parasitic freeloaders from slowing calf growth?

Internal parasites can reduce weaning weights.1 To help your calves keep gaining, eliminate damaging internal and external parasites.

Explore calf products

Alpha Family Products

ALPHA™ Vaccines

Alpha Family Products

ALPHA™ Vaccines

Diaque Family Products

DIAQUE® Supplement

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DIAQUE® Supplement

Pyramid Presponse Family

PYRAMID® + PRESPONSE® SQ Vaccines

Pyramid Presponse Family

PYRAMID® + PRESPONSE® SQ Vaccines

Alpha Family Products

ALPHA™ Vaccines

Alpha Family Products

ALPHA™ Vaccines

Diaque Family Products

DIAQUE® Supplement

Diaque Family Products

DIAQUE® Supplement

Pyramid Presponse Family

PYRAMID® + PRESPONSE® SQ Vaccines

Pyramid Presponse Family

PYRAMID® + PRESPONSE® SQ Vaccines

Eprinex Family Products

EPRINEX® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

Eprinex Family Products

EPRINEX® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

Ivomec Family

IVOMEC® (ivermectin) Dewormer

Ivomec Family

IVOMEC® (ivermectin) Dewormer

Eprinex Family Products

EPRINEX® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

Eprinex Family Products

EPRINEX® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE (eprinomectin) Dewormer

LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin) Dewormer

Ivomec Family

IVOMEC® (ivermectin) Dewormer

Ivomec Family

IVOMEC® (ivermectin) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Synanthic® (oxfendazole oral suspension) Dewormer

Important safety information

EPRINEX IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: No meat or milk withdrawal is required when used according to label. Do not use in calves intended for veal or unapproved animal species, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result. For more information, view the full prescribing information, or call 888-637-4251.

 

LONGRANGE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat within 48 days of slaughter. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows, or in veal calves. Post-injection site damage (e.g., granulomas, necrosis) can occur. These reactions have disappeared without treatment. Not for use in breeding bulls, or in calves less than 3 months of age. Not for use in cattle managed in feedlots or under intensive rotational grazing. Pregnant women should wear gloves and exercise caution or avoid handling this product.

 

IVOMEC POUR-ON IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat cattle within 48 days of slaughter. Do not use in female dairy cattle of breeding age or in veal calves. Do not use in other animal species not on the label, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.

 

IVOMEC PLUS IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat cattle within 21 days of slaughter. Do not use in female dairy cattle of breeding age or in veal calves. Do not use in other animal species not on the label, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.

 

IVOMEC 1% IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat cattle within 35 days of slaughter. Do not use in female dairy cattle of breeding age or in veal calves. Do not treat swine within 18 days of slaughter. Do not use in other animal species not on the label, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.

 

SYNANTHIC RESIDUE WARNINGS: Cattle must not be slaughtered until seven days after treatment. Because a withdrawal time in milk has not been established, do not use in female dairy cattle of breeding age.

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Count on Boehringer Ingelheim for a wide array of products to help keep your beef cattle in good health and at peak performance.

1Kaplan RM. Fasciola hepatica: A review of the economic impact in cattle and considerations for control. Vet Thera 2001;2(1):40–50.

 

EPRINEX®, LONGRANGE®, PRESPONSE®, PYRAMID® and the Cattle Head logo®are registered trademarks and ALPHA™ is a trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. DIAQUE® , ALPHA-7/MB-1®, ALPHA-7®, and ALPHA-CD®are a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. ©2026 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. US-RUM-0061-2025