Vaccination Against Contagious Abortion

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 71, Issue 4, 15 October 1945, Page 338

Vaccination Against Contagious Abortion

TIE excellent results which have J. been obtained from vaccination against contagious abortion are described in the preceding article by M. B. Buddle. These results are necessarily confined for the most part to heifers calving for the first time. The Department of Agriculture is particularly anxious to continue to receive reports of the breeding history following vaccination, and particularly as it will this year be possible for the first time to assess the effect of vaccinating calves on reducing abor-

tion in 3-year-olds as well as 2-year-olds. As almost all the cows will have calved by the time this article appears, all dairy farmers who have had calves vaccinated are earnestly requested to fill in the forms and return them immediately. Form Ag. A/11 'was issued to all dairy farmers when their calves were vaccinated. If the form has been lost,. another can be obtained from the nearest office of the. Department of Agriculture or from the Farmers’ Veterinary Club if vaccination is conducted by a club veterinarian.

How to Fill in Form

Filling in the form should present no . difficulties. First complete the “Breeding Summary” for heifers and cows which have calved this season. There are four columns—for 2-year-olds vaccinated, 2-year-olds nonvaccinated, 3-year-olds and over vaccinated, and 3-year-olds and over nonvaccinated. The age is the age at calving. Farmers whose calves were vaccinated for the first time in 1944 will have vaccinated and non-vac-cinated 2-year-olds, but the cows 3 years and over will all be non-vac-cinated. Farmers whose calves were vaccinated in 1943 as well as 1944 will have vaccinated and non-vaccinated 2-year-olds and vaccinated and nonvaccinated 3 years and . over. Remember that an abortion is defined as any calf born under 8 months which fails to live. If it is born more than 8 months after the last service and is dead at birth, or dies immediately after birth, enter as a full-time dead calf. If the calf lives, it should be shown as a normal calving, no matter when the last service occurred, as cows sometimes accept service when they are in calf. If the total of abortions, full-time dead calves, normal calvings, and empty does not add up to the number of cows mated, the reason should be indicated; for example, two died, one sold, etc.

It should be noted that details are required in the “'Abortion and Fulltime Dead Calves in Vaccinated Cows” section for vaccinated cows or heifers only. Be careful to fill in the identification marks, as these are necessary to enable results of blood tests to be tabulated. Applications for Vaccination of This Year’s Calves. On the opposite side of the form will be found space for the application for vaccination of this year’s calves. It will assist greatly if all applicants will fill in the identification marks when making their application, as this saves much work for vaccinating officers and clerical staff. If individual ages of calves are not known the dates of birth of the youngest and oldest calves must be given. Enquiries are often received regarding. vaccination of older animals. In general, vaccination of cows is not recommended, as vaccination has no effect on any animal already infected, and, moreover, in. most herds the incidence of abortion is much greater in heifers than in older cows. However, if serious trouble is being experienced in older cows, arrangements can be made to vaccinate them, but they must be empty at the time of vaccination and must not' be mated for one month after. In such cases dairy farmers are recommended to consult the nearest veterinarian. Vaccination of bulls is not recommended. New Applications. If applying for vaccination for the first time, use Form Ag. A/14, which may be obtained from Departmental offices or from Farmers’ Veterinary Clubs.

Apply Early

The number of calves being vaccinated has increased to such an extent that this year it will almost certainly be necessary to make arrangements for calves to be brought together in central positions, such as saleyards, to enable them all to be vaccinated by the limited number of veterinarians and stock inspectors available. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that farmers apply early, and no guarantee can be given to vaccinate calves for which applications are received after December 1. If you belong to a veterinary club, forward your application to the secretary. All other dairy farmers should forward applications to the Director, Animal Research Division, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3004, Wellington. The Departmental veterinarian or stock inspector or the club veterinarian will advise later concerning the place and date of vaccination, which will probably be in January, February, or March. Vaccination this year will again be free.