REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Getting calves started out right and staying on top of health is important for the longevity of the Stark family's Montana cow herd.

Tristan and Shaylyn Stark own S Bar K Cattle and Hay in Baker, Montana, and are participating in DTN's View From the Range series, where DTN will follow a year at the ranch to give readers an inside look at how the ranch operates and cares for its animals.

This segment of the series discusses how they care for their cattle throughout the year to make sure their health is top-notch through the use of vaccines and nutrition.

CALF HEALTH STARTS EARLY

Shaylyn Stark said the family hasn't had any major health problems on their ranch, but prevention is a key part of that. While calves don't get any vaccines at birth, there are times they use a paste to give newborns a boost if they are from a first-calf heifer or it is a hard pull. The paste contains prebiotics and probiotics and vitamins to help the immune system.

"At branding time, the end of May, we give two vaccines to cover clostridial and respiratory diseases," she said. "If we have a sick or slow calf, they will likely get the paste we give some of the calves at birth to boost their health."

Besides vaccinations, bull calves are castrated at branding time also, and they will receive a Ralgro implant.

Approximately two to four weeks prior to weaning, calves will get another round of vaccinations, as is considered protocol. Steer calves are shipped to their new owner, but heifer calves are kept as replacements. These heifers are given a Bangs vaccine to prevent brucellosis. Those same heifers will get a pre-breeding vaccination similar to what is given to the cows before they go to pasture with bulls.

COWS AND BULLS GET ATTENTION TOO

While calves get several vaccines in their first year of life to help prevent disease, it is common for cows to get one shot per year. The Starks use a cow vaccine that protects against viral respiratory and reproductive threats and bacterial infections all in one shot. They work cows at the same time they give the calves the pre-weaning shots, usually the first week of November.

"Branding is busy, but so is pre-weaning because we are giving the calves shots, but also pregnancy checking cows and vaccinating them," Shaylyn said.

Bulls are purchased from two ranches, and when they are delivered to the Stark ranch, the bulls have already had a breeding soundness exam and all their vaccinations, so they are ready to be turned out with cows.

"We will leave the new bulls in the corral for a couple of weeks for quarantine and then phase them in with the other bulls," she said. "We've never had a problem with their health, but quarantining is always a good idea."

MINERALS AND FLY CONTROL PLAY A ROLE

Besides ensuring health through proper vaccinations, the Starks are sure to have a good mineral available for their cows. The combination of vitamins and minerals along with a garlic additive and mineral oil help fight flies during the summer months.

"We also have to be aware of sulfur in our water, which can affect fertility, and counter it with the proper mineral to try to prevent open cows," Shaylyn explained. This is a common problem in their region and, if not managed, can lead to several open cows, which hurts the bottom line.

STAYING AHEAD OF HEALTH ISSUES

Cows standing in the wet, marshy areas in the pastures can also lead to problems with foot rot. They check cows on a regular basis so it's easier to treat a cow with a foot problem. If they are far from the corral, a medicine-filled dart gun will be used for treatment, which they have found to be effective and lower stress since it can be done out on the open range.

Another management tool the Starks use is fecal sampling. These samples are sent to a laboratory and analyzed for fecal egg counts for parasite presence as well as any diseases they could be suffering from. It also allows them to know how well the cows are digesting the forages and minerals provided to them. "A fecal sample analysis can really tell you a lot about your cows' health," she said. "And how we need to change management to make it better." Those changes get made with the goal of better health in mind.

Editor's Note: To see previous stories in this series, go to:

-- "Montana Family Shares View From the Range," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Montana Ranchers Weather Challenges to Preserve Ranch Heritage," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Montana Family Follows Winter Weather Care Routine," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Montana Family Keeps Calving Low Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Young Montana Ranchers Making Dream into Reality," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Montana Ranch Family's Branding Traditions," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

-- "Montana Ranchers Use Summer to Stockpile Feed for Winter," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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