26/02/2026
A Northumbrian farming family has won the battle against cryptosporidiosis on their beef farm by implementing a strict vaccination policy.
The Scott family, of Low Leam Farm near Otterburn, have been plagued by crypto since 2017 in their spring-calving continental cross Limousin and British Blue cross herd.
But since starting to vaccinate, calves are finishing quicker, and the clinical signs of the condition are reduced.
Son, Willie Scott, said: “Before vaccinating, a calf with crypto could cost us an extra £400 to get to market. This year, we’ve had almost no cases and much healthier, more robust calves.”
The vaccine is administered to cows in the third trimester of gestation, requiring two doses given four to five weeks apart, with the final dose completed at least three weeks before calving.
For subsequent pregnancies, only a single booster dose is required.
By vaccinating cows in late pregnancy, antibodies against C. parvum are raised in colostrum, reducing clinical signs of disease in newborn calves when they consume their mother’s colostrum.
