Clinic addresses new I.D. program, vaccines to cattlemen

By SALLY SEXTON | Country World staff writer

Beef cattle specialist Dr. Jason Cleere updates Central Texas cattlemen on new I.D. Program. -- Courtesy photo

August 25, 2005 - Farmers and ranchers from surrounding counties were in Marlin Aug. 10 when a review of the new USDA animal I.D. program was held.

Dr. Jason Cleere, a beef cattle specialist with the Texas Cooperative Extension service, was on-hand to help with the presentation.

"This new system is not flawless, but it's certainly better than what we have now," said Cleere.

The purpose of the new National I.D. Program is to help track down cattle that are being sold using a tracking system of numbered tags on each cow's left ear. The date issued, the premium number and each cow's code can be tracked from a computer system run by federal and state health officials, who are the only ones with this kind of access. The tracking record should help alert farmers of the possible diseases a cow may have.

So much confidence has been put into this program that goals have already been set and achieved within the past year. The goal for July 2005 was for all states to be capable of having premises registration, and was achieved.

In July, the I.D. system was supposed to be in full operation, but "hasn't quite happened yet" according to Cleere.

The USDA's ultimate goal is to have the system in complete working order by January of 2009.

While the I.D. program is useful for tracking diseases, vaccines are more important for stopping these diseases before they can be tracked.

David Boss, of Boehringer Ingelheim, addressed different types of vaccines, administering them and the benefits that come along with the use of these vaccines.

"There are three reasons to vaccinate," said Boss - "to protect breeding and feeding cattle from diseases, to produce maternal antibodies and to protect the fetus from infections, which can lead to birth defects."

According to Boss, the best results come from vaccinating cattle regularly. A proper vaccination program uses adequate adjuvants, uses proper antigens, and provides for adequate nutrition.

One key fact to remember before vaccinating is that the animal must be healthy and capable of responding to a vaccine for best results.

"Timing is the most important part," said Boss.

This means that ranchers must consider a vaccine's capabilities, the animal's immune system and the risk of disease exposures.

Many vaccines are on the market today, but Boss recommends the best Boehringer Ingleheim vaccines.

The firsts are the Alpha 7 and Alpha BD. These are the only "one shot" clostridial vaccines available, and can be administered at any given stage.

Also on his list is the Pulmo-guard MpB (mycoplasma bovis) and the Pulmo-guard PHM-1.

A dinner of barbecue and iced tea was served as over 60 people gathered for the Fall County meeting.