Download - Weaning Cattle Health
Weaning Cattle HealthWeaning Cattle Health
Wm. Dee Whittier, DVM, MSProfessor
Production Management Medicine, Extension Veterinarian
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Bovine Respiratory Disease Bovine Respiratory Disease ComplexComplex
• Throat• Windpipe
• Lung
• Nose
Bovine Respiratory Disease Bovine Respiratory Disease ComplexComplex
Bovine Respiratory Disease Bovine Respiratory Disease ComplexComplex
“Normal”Lung
Pneumonia - filled or
consolidated lung
Respiratory DiseaseRespiratory Disease
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA 219:1122-1127, Oct. 15, 2001).Association (JAVMA 219:1122-1127, Oct. 15, 2001).
Best information that has ever been Best information that has ever been available to study death risk in available to study death risk in feedlot cattlefeedlot cattle
Based on data collected on 21.8 Based on data collected on 21.8 million cattle entering 121 large million cattle entering 121 large feedlots over six years feedlots over six years
Respiratory DiseaseRespiratory Disease
Cattle placed in feedlots in the major feedlot Cattle placed in feedlots in the major feedlot areas of the US more likely to die of respiratory areas of the US more likely to die of respiratory disease in 1999 than they were in 1994 disease in 1999 than they were in 1994
Continual upward trend in death risk each year. Continual upward trend in death risk each year. 1994 to 1999 death loss percentage from 1.03% 1994 to 1999 death loss percentage from 1.03%
to 1.42 % (38 % increase in death loss risk)to 1.42 % (38 % increase in death loss risk) Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
(JAVMA 219:1122-1127, Oct. 15, 2001).(JAVMA 219:1122-1127, Oct. 15, 2001).
Respiratory DiseaseRespiratory Disease
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA 219:1122-1127, Oct. 15, 2001).(JAVMA 219:1122-1127, Oct. 15, 2001).
Their conclusion: We don’t know why death losses Their conclusion: We don’t know why death losses increased…cattle only slightly smaller on entranceincreased…cattle only slightly smaller on entrance
My question: More calf-feds?My question: More calf-feds?
Conclusion: The large, high plains feedlot Conclusion: The large, high plains feedlot is a poor weaning pen!!is a poor weaning pen!!
Ranch to RailRanch to Rail
Sick Healthy DifferenceDeath Loss 10.1% 0.4% 9.7%Railed Steers 7.0% 0.7% 6.3%Average Daily Gain, Lb. 2.48 3.19 .71Total Cost of Gain, $Lb. $.65 $.45 $.20Medicine Cost/Head $28.68 $ 0.00 $ 28.68Net Return/Head -$18.05 $130.87 $148.92
Ranch to RailRanch to Rail
Quality Grade Sick Healthy DifferenceChoice 35% 50% -15%Select 53% 46% +7%Standard 12% 4% +8%
Losses from Respiratory DiseaseLosses from Respiratory Disease
As long as they don’t die, As long as they don’t die, perform well, and I didn’t spend perform well, and I didn’t spend too much treating them, I’m OK. too much treating them, I’m OK. Right? Right?
University StudyUniversity Study
Impact of Bovine Respiratory Impact of Bovine Respiratory Disease During the Receiving Disease During the Receiving Period on Feedlot Performance Period on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Traits and Carcass Traits
T.C. Stovall, D.R. Gill, R.A. Smith and T.C. Stovall, D.R. Gill, R.A. Smith and R.L. R.L. BallBall
University StudyUniversity Study
So why did these cattle respond So why did these cattle respond to treatment so well (no realizers, to treatment so well (no realizers, total compensation)?total compensation)?
???????? Time of treatment?Time of treatment?
Vaccination ProgramsVaccination Programs
Pre-vaccinated calves are Pre-vaccinated calves are probably overpriced and it probably overpriced and it doesn’t do much good anyway. doesn’t do much good anyway. Right?Right?
Health as Part of Health as Part of “Quality Cattle”“Quality Cattle”
Two-tiered marketing systemTwo-tiered marketing system– ““Commodity cattle”Commodity cattle”– “ “Quality cattle” or “Grid cattle”Quality cattle” or “Grid cattle”
Are health verified cattle worth Are health verified cattle worth more just for improved health or more just for improved health or is there additional value?is there additional value?
Gold tag
Gold Tag
VirginiaQuality Assured
Five Year History VQA Feeder Cattle vs. Special Graded Sales
Weight Premium $/Cwt. Weight Premium
$/Cwt.500-599
lb. $4.25 400-499
lb. $2.14 600-699
lb. $3.69 500-599
lb. $3.82 700-799
lb. $1.85 600-699
lb. $2.79
Steers Heifers
Virginia Quality AssuredFeeder Cattle
VQA Feeder Cattle - 2001VQA Feeder Cattle - 2001
Number of Head
Average Weight
Premium $/Cwt.
Premium $/Head
Steers 2739 681 $3.25 $22.11 Heifers 1289 640 $2.78 $17.77
Weighted Average 4028 668 $3.10 $20.72
Studies on Vaccination Studies on Vaccination ProgramsPrograms
THE EFFECTS OF VALUE ADDED HEALTH PROGRAMS ON THE PRICE AND NO-SALE RATE OF
BEEF CALVES SOLD THROUGH 10 SUPERIOR
LIVESTOCK VIDEO AUCTIONS IN 1997 (1)
M. E. King and K. G. Odde (2)