TCFA Feedyard Technician Certification Practice Test

What is a primary benefit of using vaccines in cattle management?

1. Improved feed efficiency

2. Complete prevention of disease

3. Reducing disease incidence

4. Decreased feed costs

The correct answer is: Reducing disease incidence

Using vaccines in cattle management primarily serves to reduce disease incidence. Vaccination stimulates the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens that could cause illness, thereby minimizing the likelihood of disease outbreaks within a herd. By reducing the prevalence of diseases, vaccination contributes to the overall health and productivity of the cattle, which can lead to improved growth rates and better feed conversion efficiency over time. While improved feed efficiency and decreased feed costs can be indirect benefits of effective vaccination programs (as healthier animals tend to utilize feed more effectively), they are secondary outcomes rather than the main focus of vaccination. Complete prevention of disease is not guaranteed, as some pathogens may still affect vaccinated animals, albeit to a lesser extent. The principal aim of vaccination is, therefore, to lower the incidence of disease rather than completely eradicate it, making the reduction of disease incidence the most accurate answer to the question.