Managing the health of feedlot and finishing beef cattle demands careful attention and expertise. The feedlot phase, which involves the final stage of beef production, is where cattle are fed high-energy diets to maximize growth and prepare for market. During this phase in the beef production cycle, health challenges occur that can significantly impact animal welfare, production efficiency, and economic returns. Some of the most pressing health issues of beef cattle in feedlots include lameness, heat stress, metabolic disorders such as acidosis, hindgut health issues, and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
Benvenuti in Selko®. Questo sito è disponibile anche in italiano.
Benvenuti in Selko®. Questa pagina è disponibile anche in italiano.
Visita il sito
Rifiuta
Bienvenido a Selko®. Este sitio también está disponible en español
Bienvenido a Selko®. Esta página también está disponible en inglés
Visitar la web
Cancelar
Vítejte ve společnosti Selko®. Tyto stránky jsou k dispozici také v češtině
Vítejte ve společnosti Selko®. Tato stránka je k dispozici také v angličtině
Navštivte stránky
Zrušit
Vítame Vás na Selko®. Táto stránka je k dispozícii aj v slovenskom jazyk.
Vitajte v spoločnosti Selko®. Táto stránka je k dispozícii aj v slovenskom jazyku.
Prejdite na webovú lokalitu
Zrušit
Bem-vindo à Selko®. Este site também está disponível em língua portuguesa.
Bem-vindo à Selko®. Esta página também está disponível em português.
Visite o site
Cancelar
Improving health and performance of feedlot cattle
Bovine respiratory disease in feedlots
Respiratory disease, commonly referred to as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the leading cause of illness and death of feedlot cattle, accounting for substantial economic losses due to reduced weight gain, increased veterinary costs, and mortality1 (Figure 1). The transition from the ranch to the feedlot is one of the most challenging times for beef cattle in terms of welfare. Newly received calves and yearlings face numerous stressors before arriving at the feedlot. These stressors include weaning, castration and dehorning, branding, vaccination, handling, transport, potential mixing at auction markets, and adapting to a new diet and unfamiliar environment, including pens, waterers, and feed bunks2. These stressors, in combination with the fact that calves from different farms carrying different respiratory pathogens are being mixed, are significant contributors to BRD.
Effective management practices to combat BRD start with a comprehensive vaccination program tailored to protect against prevalent viral and bacterial pathogens. Ensuring that cattle are vaccinated before or soon after arrival at the feedlot can significantly reduce the incidence of respiratory illness. Additionally, minimizing stress through proper handling techniques, providing adequate space, and ensuring a clean and comfortable environment are crucial measures. Preconditioning programs, which involve weaning calves and acclimating them to feedlot conditions before arrival, can also enhance their resilience to diseases.
Figure 1. The distribution (as percentage of sick animals) of principal disease conditions observed at a Brazilian feedlot. Source: Baptista et al. 2017
Metabolic disorders of beef cattle
Metabolic disorders of beef cattle in feedlots are rumen acidosis, bloating and hindgut acidosis resulting in "leaky gut". These metabolic disorders are commonly resulting from the consumption of high-grain diets that are rich in fermentable carbohydrates. Feeding high starch diets to feedlot cattle leads to a rapid production of lactic acid in the rumen and hindgut, lowering its pH and causing acidosis. Hindgut acidosis can cause systemic inflammation. Symptoms include decreased feed intake, lethargy, and, in severe cases, death. To manage metabolic disorders, it is vital to implement gradual diet transitions, allowing the rumen microflora to adapt to the increased starch levels. Including dietary buffers and providing a consistent feed intake schedule can also help mitigate the risk. Additionally, feed additives such as Selko LactiBute, that promote gut health, can help maintain a healthy hindgut environment.
Lameness in feedlot cattle
Lameness of feedlot cattle is a multi-factorial problem. It is often resulting from conditions such as foot rot or digital dermatitis. Rumen acidosis and "leaky gut" as a result of hindgut acidosis can result in the release of inflammation mediators in the circulation. This can cause laminitis with white line defects of the claws, which can also cause lameness. Lameness in beef cattle not only affects animal welfare but also reduces feed intake and weight gain, leading to economic losses. Preventative measures include maintaining clean and dry pen conditions, regular hoof trimming, dietary measures to reduce the risk of rumen acidosis and hindgut acidosis leading to "leaky gut" and prompt treatment of any detected lameness. Providing well-designed feeding and watering areas that reduce the risk of injury and infection is also essential.
The Treponema genus of bacteria has been implicated as a causative factor of bovine digital dermatitis (hairy warts). Treponema is shed in faeces. One of the factors that can have an impact on shedding is immunity status. A trial in dairy cows3,4 showed a reduction in relative abundance of Treponema in the faeces of 67% (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Relative abundance of Treponema in the faeces of beef cattle supplemented with Selko IntelliBond Z or beef cattle supplemented with zinc sulphate.
The role of feed additives for beef cattle
Feed additives for beef cattle, such as prebiotics and trace mineral nutrition, play an essential role in mitigating health challenges. Prebiotics, which are non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut, can enhance hindgut health and immune function. Several trials5,6.7 have shown that feeding Selko LactiBute to beef cattle will improve hindgut health and reduce the risk of "leaky gut", resulting in an improvement of of feed efficiency and an increase of average daily gain (see Figures 3 and 4).
Trace minerals, including zinc, copper, and manganese, are vital for various physiological functions and immune responses. Adequate trace mineral nutrition supports hoof health, improves disease resistance, and enhances overall growth and productivity. Supplementing diets with the right level and mineral sources can help address deficiencies that might contribute to health issues like lameness and BRD.
Figure 3: AG in female beef cattle fed Selko LactiBute compared to controls in the same diet
Figure 4: ADG in male beef cattle fed Selko LactiBute compared to controls on the same diet.
Improving health and performance of beef cattle in feedlots
The health challenges faced by feedlot cattle require a proactive and multifaceted approach. Effective management practices, including vaccination programs, proper nutrition, stress reduction, and regular health monitoring, are essential to mitigate these risks. By addressing these health challenges comprehensively, farmers can enhance the welfare of their cattle, improve production efficiency, and achieve better economic outcomes. Maintaining a healthy herd is not only a matter of good practice but also a commitment to sustainable and responsible livestock farming.
Download more research and documentation
You can access all of our documentation about Selko protocols, sustainable dairy farming and latest research insights about Dairy Cow health & fertility.
Improving health and performance for your beef cattle with Selko IntelliBond
Reproductive performance is essential for beef cattle profitability. Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals are scientifically proven to improve trace mineral status, leading to better AI pregnancy rates, enhanced embryo quality in ET programs, and improved bull semen quality. This study measured the effects of different trace mineral sources on semen quality in 37 mature bulls across Angus, Hereford, and composite breeds. Feeding Selko IntelliBond trace minerals significantly boosted the success of reproductive technologies.
Register to download
Register once and download all you need
Thank you for your interest in Selko
We have just sent you an email. Follow the instructions in this email to complete your download. Notice that In some cases, spam filters can block automated emails. If you do not find the email in your inbox, please check your junk email folder.
Have a nice day!
Connect with our experts
Navigating the daily operations of dairy and beef farming is challenging, and the transition towards sustainable practices raises numerous questions.
Selko ruminant specialists are dedicated to help you assess and address these challenges effectively. For personalized support and expert advice on achieving sustainable and profitable farming, get in touch with our team today.
Thank you reaching out!
Thank you for contacting us. Your form has been successfully submitted, and a confirmation email with further details is on its way to you. In the meantime, we invite you to explore more about our innovative solutions and best practices for sustainable dairy and beef farming on our website.
*You can unsubscribe from our marketing lists at any time via the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. For information about our privacy policy and general terms and agreements, you can click on the appropriate links in the footer of our website.
References about health & fertility beef feedlot farming practices
-
Baptista AL, Rezende AL, Fonseca P de A, Massi RP, Nogueira GM, Magalhães LQ, Headley SA, Menezes GL, Alfieri AA, Saut JPE (2017) Bovine respiratory disease complex associated mortality and morbidity rates in feedlot cattle from southeastern Brazil. J Infect Dev Ctries 11:791–799. doi: 10.3855/jidc.9296
-
Tucker, C. B., Coetzee, J. F., Stookey, J. M., Thomson, D. U., Grandin, T., and Schwartzkopf-Genswein, K. S. (2015). Beef cattle welfare in the USA: identification of priorities for future research. Animal Health Research Reviews, 16(02), 107–124. doi:10.1017/s1466252315000171.
-
Wenner, B. A., Park, T, Mitchell, K, Kvidera, S.K, Griswold, K.E, Horst, E.A. and L. H. Baumgard (2022). Effect of zinc source (zinc sulfate or zinc hydroxychloride) on relative abundance of fecal Treponema spp. In lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. communications 3(5):334-338.
-
Wenner, B. A., Park, T, Mitchell, K, Kvidera, S.K, Griswold, K.E, Horst, E.A. and L. H. Baumgard (2021). Effect of zinc source on fecal Treponema spp. In ad libitum-fed or feed- restricted lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 104 (Suppl. 1):314-315.
-
Osman Y. Koyun, Evann E. Rowland, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Joseph J. Baloyi, Francis L. Fluharty, T. D. Pringle, A. M. Stelzleni, R. Lawton Stewart, M. McCarthy, S. Fry, K. E. Griswold, and Todd R. Callaway (2022). Impact of calcium gluconate feeding on intestinal MICROBIAL populations in a growing steer model, Uni. Georgia, Osman.Y, PhD Thesis.
-
Santos, A, Bergman, J.G.H.E, Manzano J.A. and M. Hall (2023) Rumen protected potassium gluconate increases average daily gain of beef, Proc. Of the 74th EAAP Congress, Lyon, August 26-September 1, 562.
-
Rossi, C.S. (2024). Effect of the administration of a protected source of calcium gluconate on growth, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, and health in beef cattle, Proceedings of the ASAS, Calgary, July 22-25, 2024.
