Effect of bovine respiratory disease during preconditioning on subsequent feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and beef attributes1,2

Abstract

Heifers with expected increased risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD; n = 360; initial BW = 241.3 +/- 16.6 kg) were assembled at a Kentucky order-buyer facility and delivered to Stillwater, OK, in September 2007 to determine the effects of clinical BRD observed during preconditioning on subsequent feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat attributes. During a 63-d preconditioning period, morbidity and mortality attributed to BRD were 57.6 and 8.6%, respectively. Immediately after preconditioning, heifers were grouped according to health outcome category and allotted to finishing pens (5 to 7 heifers/pen). Heifers were never treated for BRD (0X; n = 9 pens), treated 1 time (1X; n = 9 pens), 2 times (2X; n = 6 pens), 3 times (3X; n = 6 pens), or designated as chronically ill (CI; n = 2 pens). Arrival BW was not different (P = 0.21) among treatment categories. However, disease incidence during preconditioning decreased (P < 0.001) growth, resulting in BW of 318, 305, 294, 273, and 243 kg for 0X, 1X, 2X, 3X, and CI, respectively, at the start of the finishing phase. Estimates on the LM, taken by ultrasound on d 65 and 122, were combined with BW and visual appraisal to target common average endpoint within category and block. On average, heifers were slaughtered on d 163 for 0X, 1X, and 2X, d 182 for 3X, and d 189 for CI (P < 0.01). Final BW was similar (P > or = 0.18) for heifers treated 0, 1, 2, or 3 times, but heifers deemed CI weighed less (P = 0.01) than 3X heifers. Considering the finishing phase only, ADG was linearly increased (P < 0.001) with increasing BRD treatments, but was linearly decreased (P = 0.003) as BRD treatments increased from arrival to slaughter. Therefore, G:F was greater (P = 0.007) for CI than 3X and linearly increased (P = 0.002) from 0X to 3X. Similar to BW, HCW was less (P = 0.03) for CI than 3X. Marbling score tended (P = 0.06) to decrease linearly as the number of treatments increased, but no other differences (P > or = 0.24) in carcass traits were detected. No differences were observed in beef tenderness (P = 0.65), and no consistent trends were noted in retail display or palatability data. Less than 20 additional days on feed were required for heifers treated 3 times to have similar BW and carcass characteristics to heifers never treated for BRD. Segregating animals with multiple BRD treatments and feeding them to an acceptable carcass endpoint may be a viable strategy for increasing value of animals treated for BRD.

088 Evaluation of initial body weight and supplementation levels on health and performance of newly received stocker calves

“…The authors concluded that cattle treated for BRD had a lower ADG compared to cohorts that did not experience BRD during the trial. Also, the number of treatments for BRD showed a linear decrease for ADG, similar to Holland et al (2010). Numerous studies found that in commercial feeding facilities, ADG was higher for healthy cattle, not treated for BRD, compared to cattle treated for BRD (Bateman et al 1990;Schneider et al 2009;Snowder et al, 2006).…”

“…Several authors found that BRD has a negative impact on ADG during the stocker phase (Holland et al, 2010;Pinchack et al, 2004). Holland et al (2010) assembled 360 crossbred heifers acquired through multiple auction barns and kept records of the number of times heifers were treated for BRD during the backgrounding stage. The research group found that as the number of treatments increased, BW decreased in a linear fashion.…”

Detection and economic impact related to bovine respiratory disease, shrink, and traveling distance in feedlot cattle in Northwest Mexico

“…Additionally, other studies pointed out that 81% of the first treatments occurred within the first 42 days (21). It has been found that the peak BRD incidence occurred 18 days after the arrival of the animals to the farm, and 87% of the first treatments were given during the first 35 days (24). These variations might be caused by several different factors (transportation, handling, origin of animals, production system) that occurred in the herds in which the studies were carried out.…”

Evaluation of response to bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 vaccination and timing of weaning on yearling ultrasound body composition, performance, and carcass quality traits in Angus calves1,2,3

“…It is linked with 75% of the morbidity and up to 50% of the mortality in feedlots (Gardner et al, 1999). The predicted annual cost ($750 million) associated with BRD includes increased treatment costs, increased labor, reduced performance, and carcass losses (Griffin, 1997;Holland et al, 2010). Negative effects of BRD on performance and carcass traits include reduced ADG, BW, HCW, yield grade, LM area, and marbling score (Gardner et al, 1999;Holland et al, 2010;Schneider et al, 2010).…”

“…The predicted annual cost ($750 million) associated with BRD includes increased treatment costs, increased labor, reduced performance, and carcass losses (Griffin, 1997;Holland et al, 2010). Negative effects of BRD on performance and carcass traits include reduced ADG, BW, HCW, yield grade, LM area, and marbling score (Gardner et al, 1999;Holland et al, 2010;Schneider et al, 2010). Preventive methods, such as vaccination or metaphylaxis to reduce susceptibility, are particularly important during periods of high stress, such as weaning and feedlot transition (Schneider et al, 2009).…”