Search Site   
News Stories at a Glance
Deere 4440 cab tractor racked up $18,000 at farm retirement auction
Indiana legislature passes bills for ag land purchases, broadband grants
Make spring planting safety plans early to avoid injuries
Michigan soybean grower visits Dubai to showcase U.S. products
Scientists are interested in eclipse effects on crops and livestock
U.S. retail meat demand for pork and beef both decreased in 2023
Iowa one of the few states to see farms increase in 2022 Ag Census
Trade, E15, GREET, tax credits the talk at Commodity Classic
Ohioan travels to Malta as part of US Grains Council trade mission
FFA members learn about Australian culture, agriculture during trip
Timing of Dicamba ruling may cause issues for 2024 planting
   
Archive
Search Archive  
   
Pinkeye control on dairy farm requires 3-pronged approach
ROSELAND, N.J. — As pinkeye season approaches, it’s time for dairy producers to take preventive steps to control this contagious, costly disease. Pinkeye can negatively impact the production and overall health of dairy animals.

Norm Stewart, D.V.M., M.S., Manager of Dairy Technical Services for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, offers best management practices for preventing pinkeye.

“Taking a stand against pinkeye requires a three-pronged approach that includes vaccination, fly control and environmental management,” Stewart says, “Like a three-legged stool, leaving out any of these key elements can bring down your entire control program.”

Stewart said the first leg of control is vaccination.

“Pinkeye is caused when bacterial organisms such as Moraxella bovis infect the surface of the eye,” he explained.

Pinkeye vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies in tears that bathe the eye, limit infection and reduce the severity of lesions. To allow adequate development of immunity, he advised vaccinating animals 3-6 weeks prior to the onset of pinkeye season.

There are many different strains of Moraxella bovis, in addition to evolving bacteria, which can cause pinkeye,” explained Stewart.
“Work with your veterinarian or animal health provider to identify a broad-spectrum vaccine effective against a wide variety of common infectious strains and isolates,” he said.

The second key to preventing pinkeye is fly control, Stewart says, because pinkeye can spread rapidly from flies that transport bacteria from the eyes of one animal to another. Face flies can travel significant distances between herds and can expose animals to different strains of Moraxella bovis.

“This is why vaccination with a broad-spectrum pinkeye vaccine and fly control are such critical legs of the pinkeye prevention stool,” Stewart explained.

Effective fly control requires customization to your production system. Stewart suggested the following best management practices to reduce the impact flies have on the spread of pinkeye:

•Treat animals of all ages and their premises with an insecticide.
•Use products that are effective, long-lasting and easy to administer.
•For calves and cows, apply a low-volume pour-on for rapid knockdown of the existing fly population.
•For growing replacement heifers, apply two ear tags in addition to a low-volume pour-on insecticide.
•Use an insecticide on the animal’s premises, such as a microencapsulated product, that delivers superior, long-lasting control on a wide variety of surfaces in and around livestock facilities.
•Use additional fly control measures as necessary, such as back-rubbers, oilers and other devices that can be used on pasture or in the milking parlor as cows exit the facility.
•Eliminate organic debris such as wet/rotting hay, straw, feed, silage and manure. These are ideal breeding grounds for stable flies.

For farmers who believe a product is not working, contact the manufacturer and an animal health provider to discuss the situation and get help.

Reapply insecticides throughout the fly season, and always follow label directions.

Manage the environment
The environment is the third area of focus in preventing pinkeye, Stewart said. Management practices such as pasture mowing, dust control and man-made or natural shades are important to minimize eye irritants, such as pollen, seed heads, dust and ultraviolet light.
These environmental factors cause irritation and physical damage, allowing infectious pinkeye organisms to attach to the surface of the eye. These irritants can also cause the eye to tear.

Tearing, watery eyes can attract flies, which feed on the watery secretions from the eye and surrounding tissue.

Since face flies travel from animal to animal, they can rapidly spread Moraxella bovis throughout the herd, dramatically increasing the incidence of pinkeye in a short amount of time.

“Ultimately, controlling pinkeye requires a planned attack. And like a three-legged stool, pinkeye control requires three important elements to work well – vaccination, fly control and environmental management,” said Stewart.

For more information about the best way to prevent pinkeye and control flies, contact Stewart at norman.stewart@sp.intervet.com or 815-341-2280. Or contact a veterinarian or animal health company representative.
3/3/2010