The Herd Health Podcast

Even the best vaccine can fail if it is not handled properly. In the final episode of this three-part series, Heather Hargrave and Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, focus on the practical aspects of vaccine handling, storage, and administration. Using clear, relatable examples, Dr. Nickel outlines best practices for maintaining vaccine integrity, including proper refrigeration, temperature monitoring, handling vaccines at the chute, and caring for syringes. These tips help producers protect both animal health and their vaccination investment. || Même le meilleur vaccin peut échouer s’il n’est pas manipulé ou administré de manière appropriée. Dans le dernier épisode de cette série...

Difficult calvings, known as dystocia, can significantly affect both calf survival and cow health. However, with proper preparation and informed decision-making, many of these challenges can be managed successfully. In this episode, host Dr. Tim Nickel, welcomes Dr. Jen Pearson, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University, to discuss the essentials of difficult calving. They define dystocia, highlight key risk factors for dystocia, and share practical strategies for recognizing when intervention is necessary and the best way to respond. || Un vêlage difficile, appelé dystocie, peut avoir un gros impact sur la survie du veau et la santé de la vache....

Which diseases should cattle be vaccinated for and when is the right time to do it? In part two of a discussion on vaccines and vaccination, Heather Hargrave continues the conversation with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, focusing on disease risk and building vaccine protocols for your herd. They explore core and optional vaccines for beef and dairy herds, explain how disease pressure shifts throughout the production cycle, and introduce a practical “gold, silver, bronze” framework to help producers balance ideal protocols with practicalities. || Contre quelles maladies vos bovins devraient-ils être vaccinés et quel est le meilleur moment pour le...

What defines an effective calf oral electrolyte solution, and when should producers reach for one? Host Nathalie Hilborn, PhD, welcomes Dr. Phil Meadows, DVM, Technical Services Veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada. Together, they dive into the important roles oral electrolyte solutions play in calf health, including hydration, buffering, and gut support. With Phil’s unique perspective as both a former dairy producer and a veterinarian, the conversation spotlights how Diakur® Plus is formulated to support calf health and what distinguishes it from conventional electrolyte products.