Calving Challenges, Vaccination Decisions, and Managing Liver Flukes in Cattle

On this episode of BCI Cattle Chat, the experts cover listener questions on calving difficulty, vaccination strategies, and liver fluke management. The team discusses that while malpresentation in calves can sometimes occur in clusters, it is more strongly linked to factors such as calf size, twins, and genetics than to cattle handling, though low-stress handling remains important. They also discuss vaccination protocols for incoming calves, emphasizing that vaccines are a long-term preventive tool and should be paired with strong overall health management. Finally, they highlight that effective liver fluke control depends on understanding the parasite’s life cycle and managing environmental risk factors, not just treatment.

3:25 Calving Difficulties  

10:19  Vaccination Strategies 

19:12 South African Liver Flukes 

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

Guest Dr. Christine Navarre, Liver Flukes, Emergency Preparedness

This episode of BCI Cattle Chat covers liver flukes and emergency preparedness in cattle operations with guest Dr. Christine Navarre. The experts discuss how liver flukes damage the liver, can contribute to sudden death, and may show up in feedlot cattle long after exposure in endemic regions. They emphasize accurate diagnosis, targeted deworming, and vaccination. The team also highlights the importance of planning ahead for disasters by ensuring access to water, feed, power, communication, and secure records to improve outcomes and protect both cattle and producers.

2:55 Liver Flukes 

12:03 Emergency Preparedness 

For more on BCI Cattle Chat, follow us on X at @ksubci, Facebook, and Instagram at @ksubci. Check out our website, ksubci.org. If you have any comments/questions/topic ideas, please send them to bci@ksu.edu. You can also email us to sign up for our weekly news blast! Don’t forget, if you enjoy the show, please go give us a rating!

Guest Information

A woman stands confidently in front of a cattle pen, wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans, smiling at the camera with cows in the background.

Adjunct Professor

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Extension Veterinarian, LSU AgCenter

Professor, LSU School of Animal Sciences