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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #288085
Title: Effects of timing of a modified-live respiratory viral vaccination (day 0 versus day 14 of a receiving period) on performance, feed intake, and febrile response of beef heifers

Author
item SHARON, KATE - Montana State University
item DUFF, GLENN - Montana State University
item PATERSON, JOHN - Montana State University
item Dailey, Jeffery
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item MARCEAU, E - Montana State University

Submitted to: Professional Animal Scientist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2013
Publication Date: 6/1/2013
Citation: Sharon, K.P., Duff, G.C., Paterson, J.A., Dailey, J.W., Carroll, J.A., Marceau, E.A. 2013. Effects of timing of a modified-live respiratory viral vaccination (day 0 versus day 14 of a receiving period) on performance, feed intake, and febrile response of beef heifers. Professional Animal Scientist. 29:309-312.

Interpretive Summary: A collaborative study was conducted involving scientists from the Livestock Issues Research Unit and Montana State University to assess the effects of administering a modified-live respiratory viral vaccine on either day 0 or day 14 of the receiving period for beef cattle. Data from this study demonstrates that regardless of the time of vaccination, the vaccine elicited a decrease in feed intake and an increase in body temperature. However, the data indicated that delaying the vaccination for 14 days after cattle were received at the feedlot altered the feeding behavior for approximately 3 days; whereas administering the vaccine at the time of arrival at the feedlot only altered feed intake for 1 day. Feedlot managers can use these data in conjunction with other management practicies when determining vaccination protocols for incoming cattle. This information will be of interest to both scientists and producers working in the field of beef cattle production, with a specific focus on vaccination protocols, stress responses, and immune responsiveness.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of timing associated with the administration of a modified-live respiratory viral vaccine (IBR-PI3-BRSV-BVD) on day 0 or on day 14 of a receiving period on performance, feed intake, and the febrile response in beef heifers. Our hypothesis was that vaccine timing will alter the febrile response and feed intake of feeder cattle. Thirty-six heifers (Angus and Angus crosses; initial body weight = 265 ± 20 kilograms) were ranked by body weight and assigned to treatment pens (9 pens total) in a completely randomized design. Treatments (3 pens/treatment with 4 heifers/pen) included no vaccine (CON), vaccination on day 0 (DO), and a delayed vaccination on day 14 (D14) of the receiving period. Heifers were fed in 6 x 12 meter pens equipped with GrowSafe feeding systems. Daily feed intakes were recorded and body weight measured on days -1, 0, 14, 27, and 28. Temperature data loggers were attached to a blank controlled intrauterine drug release devices (CIDR; contained no active compound) that recorded vaginal temperatures every 5 minutes for the experiment; vaginal temperatures were then averaged for every hour before data analysis. All data were analyzed using pen as the experimental unit. No differences (P > 0.10) among treatments were observed for initial body weight, final body weight, average dailey gain for day 0 to end, or overall gain to feed ratio. A treatment x day interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for feed intake. Daily intake was decreased for D14 versus D0 on days 14 (P < 0.01) and 15 (P < 0.10) and decreased (P < 0.05) on day 15 for the average of vaccinated calves versus CON. Eating rate (grams consumed/eating duration) was decreased (P < 0.05) on day 14 for D14 versus D0. No differences (P > 0.10) among treatments were noted in the number of eating events/day. A treatment x day interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for vaginal temperature. Vaginal temperature was increased (P < 0.10) on day 1 for D0 versus D14 heifers and increased for D14 versus D0 on days 14 (P < 0.01), 15 (P < 0.05) and 16 (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that time of administration of a modified-live respiratory viral vaccine can alter feed intake and vaginal temperature in feeder heifers.