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Managing the transition of receiving beef cattle into the feedlot
Upon arrival into the feedlot, receiving beef calves face several significant challenges that can impact their health and productivity. Proper management of these challenges is crucial for ensuring optimal growth and maximizing profitability. This article explores the primary challenges faced by feedlot operations when receiving cattle and highlights the role of innovative feed additives, such as hydroxy trace minerals and prebiotics, in managing these issues.
Stress and acclimatization of receiving beef feedlot cattle
One of the first challenges is stress due to transportation, handling, mixing of animals from different origin and adapting to a new environment. Stress can lead to weakened immune systems, making cattle more susceptible to diseases. Moreover, it can result in decreased feed intake and poor weight gain. To mitigate these effects, feedlot operators need to implement strategies that minimize handling stress, provide adequate rest, and ensure a smooth transition to the feedlot environment.
Disease management of receiving cattle in feedlots
Newly arrived cattle are at high risk of respiratory diseases and other infections. Effective biosecurity measures, including quarantine protocols and vaccinations, are essential to prevent the spread of diseases. Regular health monitoring and early intervention can help manage outbreaks and reduce mortality rates.
Switching receiving beef cattle to a feedlot diet
Receiving cattle coming from cow-calf operations are often weaned shortly before the are being transported to the feedlot. Transitioning beef cattle from a forage-based diet to a high-energy feedlot diet can cause digestive disturbances, such as acidosis and bloat. These conditions can severely impact growth performance and overall health. Gradually introducing the new diet and using feed additives that promote gut health can help mitigate these risks.
Feed additives for receiving beef cattle
Feed additives play a crucial role in addressing nutritional and health challenges of receiving beef cattle, particularly hydroxy trace minerals and prebiotics, which offer significant benefits for the health and performance of feedlot cattle.
Figure 1: Effect of feeding different diets containing Selko IntelliBond to cattle on fibre digestibility.
Figure 2: Additional hot carcass weight (kg) of beef steers finished on a diet containing Selko IntelliBond compared to a diet containing an equivalent amount of inorganic sulphate trace minerals
Hydroxy trace minerals for beef cattle
Hydroxy trace minerals, including zinc, copper, and manganese, are essential for various physiological functions. They have been shown to improve immune function, enhance rumen function, and support overall growth. Unlike inorganic sulfate trace minerals, hydroxy trace minerals are more stable and less reactive in the digestive tract, leading to better absorption and utilization. This can result in improved health and performance, helping cattle to better withstand the stresses of transportation and diet changes.
Trials1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 have shown that feeding Selko IntelliBond improves fibre digestibility (see Figure 1) resulting in an increase of feed efficiency, average daily gain and hot carcass weight (see Figure 2).
Managing hindgut health of beef cattle with prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible feed components that beneficially affect the host by stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the hindgut. Improved hindgut health leads to better nutrient absorption, enhanced immune function, and reduced incidence of digestive disorders. By incorporating prebiotics into the diet, feedlot operators can support the gut health of cattle, ensuring they maintain optimal digestive function during the critical transition period. Feeding Selko LactiBute, containing rumen protected calcium gluconate, increases the level of volatile fatty acids in the hindgut (see Table 1), resulting in a shift towards bacteria that are beneficial for hindgut health15. Several trials have proven that feeding Selko LactiBute improves health of feedlot cattle and increases feed efficiency and average daily gain16,17.
| Gut section | |||||||
| Rumen | Duodenum | Ileum | Cecum | Colon | Rectum | ||
| Acetate | LAC | 56.17 | 3.32 | 29 | 79.7a | 56.4 | 52.7a |
| CON | 57.63 | 2.29 | 24.3 | 61.8b | 35.6 | 32.0b | |
| P-val | 0.88 | 0.24 | 0.69 | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.02 | |
| Propionate | LAC | 41.5 | -- | 8.86 | 28.79a | 21.2a | 18.6a |
| CON | 42.3 | 0.06 | 4.96 | 17.86b | 11.3b | 9.09b | |
| P-val | 0.90 | 0.19 | 0.43 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.01 | |
| Butyrate | LAC | 8.8 | -- | 3.59 | 14.1 | 9.13 | 6.82 |
| CON | 10.68 | -- | 4.51 | 13.1 | 4.9 | 6.85 | |
| P-val | 0.55 | -- | 0.70 | 0.78 | 0.10 | 0.99 | |
| Isobutyrate | LAC | 0.98 | -- | 0.12 | 0.61 | 0.40 | 0.18 |
| CON | 1.02 | -- | 0.13 | 0.69 | 0.37 | 0.2 | |
| P-val | 0.91 | -- | 0.88 | 0.38 | 0.90 | 0.85 | |
Practical implementation of a health management program for beef cattle in feedlots
To effectively manage these challenges, feedlot operators should consider the following strategies:
Gradual diet transition: Introduce new diets gradually to allow the rumen microbiota to adapt. This reduces the risk of digestive disturbances and supports better feed intake.
Biosecurity and health management: Implement stringent biosecurity measures and vaccination programs to prevent disease outbreaks. Regular health monitoring and prompt treatment of sick animals are crucial.
Use of feed additives: Incorporate hydroxy trace minerals and prebiotics into the feed regimen. These additives can significantly improve immune function, gut health, and overall growth performance.
Stress reduction: Minimize handling and transportation stress through gentle handling techniques and providing adequate rest and recovery time upon arrival.
Managing health of receiving beef cattle in feedlots
Feedlots face a range of challenges when receiving cattle, from managing stress and disease to ensuring proper nutrition. By adopting comprehensive management practices and utilizing advanced feed additives like hydroxy trace minerals and prebiotics, operators can significantly enhance the health and performance of their cattle. This not only improves the well-being of the animals but also contributes to the overall efficiency and profitability of the feedlot operation.
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Improving Feed Effiiency of beef cattle with Selko LactiBute
Improving feed efficiency and performance is a crucial goal for all beef producers. With rising costs and growing pressure to achieve more with less, finding effective solutions is more important than ever. Enhancing gut health has emerged as a key strategy for significantly improving diet utilization. Although historically overlooked, recent research reveals that targeted supplementation at the hindgut level can yield remarkable results.
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References about managing the transition of receiving beef cattle into the feedlot
Faulkner, M.J. and W.P. Weiss (2017). Effect of source of trace minerals in either forage- or by-product-based diets fed to dairy cows: 1. Production and macronutrient digestibility, Journal of Dairy Science 100:5358-53-67.
Caldera, C.E, Weigel, B, Kucharczyk, V.N, Sellins, K.S, Archibeque, S.L, Wagner, J.J, Han, H, Spears, J.B. and T.E. Engle (2019). Trace mineral source influences ruminal distribution of copper and zinc and their binding strength to ruminal digesta. J. Anim. Sci., 97:1852-1864.
Ibraheem, M, Kvidera, S. and B. Bradford (2021). Meta-analysis to determine the impact of trace mineral source on nutrient digestibility in dairy and beef animals. J. Dairy Sci. 104:97.
Spears, J. W., E. B. Kegley, and L. A. Mullis (2004). Bioavailability of copper from tribasic copper chloride and copper sulfate in growing cattle. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 116:1-13.Spears et al., 2004. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 116:1-13.
Shaeffer, G. L., K. E. Lloyd, and J. W. Spears (2017). Bioavailability of zinc hydroxychloride relative to zinc sulfate in growing cattle fed a corn-cottonseed hull-based diet. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 232:1-5.
Wagner, J. J. , T. E. Engle, E. Caldera, K. L. Neuhold, D. R. Woerner, J. W. Spears, J. S. Heldt, and S. B. Laudert (2016). The effects of zinc hydroxychloride and basic copper chloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver zinc and copper status at slaughter in yearling feedlot steers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 32:570-579.
Wagner, J., W. T. Nelson, T. Engle, J. Spears, J. Heldt, and S. Laudert (2019). Effect of zinc source and ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed in confinement to harvest. J. Anim. Sci. 97 (Suppl. 3):160.
Caldera, E., J. J. Wagner, K. Sellins, S. B. Laudert, J. W. Spears, S. L. Archibeque, and T. E. Engle (2016). Effects of supplemental zinc, copper, and manganese concentration and source on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 33:63-72.
Budde et al., 2019. J. Anim. Sci. 97:1286-1295; Spears, J.W, Loh, H.Y, , Lloyd, K.E, Heldt, J.S, and T. E. Engle (2024) Trace mineral source and chromium propionate supplementation affect performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 102:1-8.
Hilscher, F. H., S. B. Laudert, J. S. Heldt, R. J. Cooper, B. D. Dicke, T. L. Scott, and G. E. Erickson (2019). Effect of copper and zinc source on finishing performance and incidence of foot rot in feedlot steers. App. Anim. Sci. 35:94-100.
Heldt, J. S. and M. S. Davis (2019). Effects of supplemental zinc source and level on finishing performance, health, and carcass characteristics of beef feedlot steers. App. Anim. Sci. 35:379-387.
Heldt, J. S. and S. Davis. 2019. Effects of supplemental copper, zinc, and manganese source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 97 (Suppl. 2):140-141.
Heldt, J., B. Holland, A. Word, and K. Karr (2020). Effect of supplemental trace mineral source on performance, health, and carcass characteristics in finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 98 (Suppl. 4):157-158.
Budde, A. M., K. Sellins, K. E. Lloyd, J. J. Wagner, J. S. Heldt, J. W. Spears, and T. E. Engle (2019). Effect of zinc source and concentration and chromium supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 97:1286-1295.
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.
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