Feedlot Production Cycle

Processing of incoming cattle is the collection of procedures and treatments given to cattle as they are worked in the chute and cattle squeeze. It is the first opportunity at the feedlot to impact the health and performance of the cattle. Many successful processing strategies have been developed to reduce disease and promote the health and performance of incoming cattle. Unfortunately, processing often takes place at the busiest time of the year in the feedlot and since it is repetitious, it is sometimes delegated to the least experienced workers. Careful attention to detail and the adoption of a good processing program can get incoming cattle off to a successful start in the feedlot.

Click here to view an explanation about low-stress cattle holding.

Intake

Processing of incoming cattle is the collection of procedures and treatments given to cattle as they are worked in the chute and cattle squeeze. It is the first opportunity at the feedlot to impact the health and performance of the cattle. Many successful processing strategies have been developed to reduce disease and promote the health and performance of incoming cattle. Unfortunately, processing often takes place at the busiest time of the year in the feedlot and since it is repetitious, it is sometimes delegated to the least experienced workers. Careful attention to detail and the adoption of a good processing program can get incoming cattle off to a successful start in the feedlot.

Pre-Condition

Preconditioning is the preparation of feeder's calves for marketing, shipment, and the feedlot environment; it may include vaccinations, castration, and training calves to eat and drink in pens. The concept of preconditioning is based in part on immunologic and nutritional principles. Preimmunization, or vaccination of calves 2 – 3 weeks before shipment from the ranch to the feedlot, was the basis of preconditioning. In addition to vaccination, more recent efforts have been directed toward increasing the number of days weaned before movement and improving management procedures on the ranch, such as genetic selection and nutrition that assist calves in making an easier transition to the feedlot.

Preconditioning has been defined by the following elements:

• Weaning at least 30 days before the sale.
• Training to eat from a feed bunk and to drink from a tank.
• Parasite treatment.
• Vaccination for blackleg, malignant edema, parainfluenza 3, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, and bovine viral diarrhoea (some programs also call for vaccination against Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and/or Histophilus somni).
• Castration and dehorning with wounds healed.
• Identification with an ear tag, and
• Sale through special auctions.

When preconditioned calves are placed in a feedlot, they usually begin to eat and drink on arrival; if they have not been subjected to unusual stressors, the incidence of the disease is minimal. Because these cattle generally go onto feed more easily than calves that have not been preconditioned, care must be taken not to increase intake too quickly and cause digestive concerns.

Transportation

Transportation or shipping of cattle has long been associated with increased bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in the feedlot, hence the term “shipping fever.” With current improvements in transportation, however, there is no correlation between the distance cattle are shipped and the risk of fatal fibrinous pneumonia in the feedlot. Factors such as weaning, level of immunity, commingling, and other stressors appear more important in the risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) than distance shipped.

Cattle can lose considerable weight within the first 24–48 hr. after weaning, during shipment, and after deprivation of feed and water. This loss in body weight (known as a shrink) varies from a minimum of 4% in cattle deprived of feed and water for 24 hr. to up to 9% in animals transported long distances over a period of 2–4 days or in unweaned, high-risk, lightweight calves. Most of the fluid and electrolyte loss can be restored within a few days if the animals begin to eat and drink normally, but some studies show as few as 35% of high-risk calves consume an appreciable amount of feed during the first 24 hr in the lot. Shrink >7% has been associated with increased health problems. The total loss in body weight may not be restored for as long as 3 weeks in some highly stressed calves.

Transportation equipment and facilities should meet local standards and be able to transport cattle comfortably regardless of the season of the year. Some countries prohibit the transport of cattle over a certain length of time without unloading for rest, feed, and water. On arrival at their destination, cattle should be examined carefully for evidence of clinical disease or injury. Provision of fresh hay, a small amount of starter feed, and water can help detect those that are anorectic and require closer examination. This is particularly important if unexpected delays in transportation have occurred that increase the level of stress in the animals.

Click here to view an explanation about the transportation of cattle.

Assessment

Cattle arriving at the feedlot are usually tired and uncomfortable in their new surroundings. It is important they are fed and watered as soon as possible with good quality hay and fresh drinking water. The disease can occur soon after arrival in the feedlot and most of the Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) cases who die will get sick for the first 2 weeks post-arrival. Fall weaned calves purchased in auction markets often break with the disease in the first few days after arrival and the peak number of treatments in a group can be as early as 7 days after arrival. It is obvious that some of these calves are already sick when they arrive at the feedlot. Finding these sick calves in the feedlot pens during the first few days is difficult because the calves have not settled in yet and most of them are not eating properly.

These high-risk calves can be checked for early signs of disease during processing by checking their temperature with an electric thermometer. A cut-off temperature can be set (often 40.0°C), and any calf with a temperature greater than the cut-off temperature can be treated as shipping fever. Treatment records should be started for these animals at this time. In one feedlot, calves with temperatures greater than 40.0°C on arrival had approximately 9 times the chance of dying and 2 times the chance of being pulled for treatment when compared to calves that had temperatures less than 40.0 C. Early identification and treatment of these sick calves is the best procedure to reduce BRD losses. Other disease problems should be noted at this time and treatment initiated. Groups of incoming calves with many animals with high temperatures should be investigated with the cattle buyer, to help identify potential problem sources of cattle.

Identification

During processing, most animals are given some form of identification. Ideally, all animals entering a feedlot should be individually identified. Hot iron branding is the traditional method of identifying the ownership of groups of cattle. However, branding does reduce the value of the hide and should be avoided if possible. Each animal must be identified immediately, preferably with a colour-coded and numbered plastic ear tag that is easily visible from a distance. In many feedlots, each animal is not identified individually but instead receives a tag with a lot number (group) or pen number. Systems are now in place that individually identifies animals with tags that can be read electronically from a distance of 20- 50 cm. Information maintained on individual animals through this technology may include performance, vaccination, and treatment history. These tags remain on the animal until slaughter, at which time the identification from the ear tag can be transferred to the overhead trolley system.

Click here to view an explanation of how and why cattle branding.

Dose and Dip

Dipping is essential, but many people question the need to de-worm animals arriving at a feedlot. A positive response to dosing is often not seen, possibly because many farmers dose their animals before selling them.

Click here to view an explanation about the spray dipping method for cattle.

Click here to view a demonstration of the cattle dipping process.

Measurement

On arrival at a feedlot, it is good practice to group animals according to size and sex. Large animals tend to bully smaller animals and keep them away from feed troughs. Key details such as breed, age and weight are recorded. This information is used to identify cattle which have similar attributes, so they can be yarded together.

Click here to view an explanation about the Obaro feedlot project.

Vaccination

Vaccination helps animals build their own immunity to a disease. Animals will not build a full immune response for several weeks following vaccination. This delay in the immune response is one reason that vaccines do not always work as well as they should in feedlot cattle. If cattle are purchased directly from the farm, a vaccination program on the farm (preimmunization) should be arranged before the cattle arrive at the feedlot. This will ensure that the cattle have had a chance to develop their immunity prior to being exposed to the disease at the feedlot. If cattle cannot be immunized prior to arrival at the feedlot, they should be vaccinated at processing, so that they have immunity as soon as possible.

The exact vaccination program will vary with the type of cattle and the feedlot. Different disease problems occur in different areas and require different vaccination programs. Almost all types of cattle entering a feedlot are at risk of developing infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). The modified-live-virus vaccines for IBR give some protection following a single vaccination. Cattle kept for more than 90 days may benefit from a second vaccination around 90 days post-arrival to ensure that they are protected for the duration of the feeding period. Intranasal and killed IBR vaccines are also available, but they do not give the same level of immunity, and they should only be used in the feedlot under special circumstances (7). Other viral diseases include bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and parainfluenza-3 virus (PI3). There are many different vaccines and new vaccine information available. Your local herd veterinarian should be contacted to recommend the best vaccination program for your feedlot.

Click here to view an explanation about vaccinating cattle safely and effectively.

Klik hier vir 'n verduideliking van die korrekte toediening van medikasie vir beeste.

Castration and Dehorning

Castration of bull calves during the initial processing adds additional health risks and stresses to incoming cattle. It is better to wait until a later date when there are fewer other health problems. The newer rubber band or elastrator methods of castration can be used successfully at the time of initial processing but follow up is important when the scrotum drops off to assess swelling. Research shows that feed efficiency and performance drop during that time. Possible treatment with a long-acting antibiotic may be necessary to reduce the stresses of castration at the time when the rotted scrotum falls off. Abortion programs for heifers can also be quite stressful and include additional health risks. These abortion programs are best reserved for later in the feedlot period when it is easier to pregnancy check the heifers, induce abortions and monitor their health.

Dehorning of horned cattle is the process of removal of their horns or the process of preventing their growth. A polled animal is one that grew no horns or one that was dehorned. Horned animals are a problem. Dehorning sets an animal back a great deal. Leaving animals with horns can lead to severe losses resulting from damage to other animals and bruising. It is best to refrain from buying animals that have not been properly dehorned. Disbudding by chemical or hot iron destroys the horn-producing cells of the horn bud. Surgical disbudding removes the horn bud and the horn-producing cells of the horn bud. Dehorning removes the horn and horn-producing tissue after horns have formed from the bud.

Click here to view an explanation about castrating a bull.

Click here to view an explanation on how to dehorn cattle.

Anthelmintic and Insecticides

Anthelmintics and insecticides are administered according to local conditions. Most incoming cattle will have been exposed to internal parasites, and appropriate deworming methods should be implemented. Young cattle raised on small farms in which the stocking rate on pasture is high may harbour helminths. Young cattle may also be affected by chronic verminous pneumonia caused by Dictyocaulus viviparus. Most young cattle will be infected with coccidian and having an appropriate anticoccidial agent in the feed is necessary.

Metaphylaxis

Metaphylaxis is the term used for the mass treatment with a long-acting antibiotic to a group of animals. Both long-acting oxytetracycline and tilmicosin have been tested and shown to be effective when used at processing in feedlots. An analysis and review of many different trials support the use of long-acting oxytetracycline and tilmicosin in the processing of high-risk calves. It is not known if these antibiotics are working through the early treatment of cases or by preventing cases from occurring. Although the cost of a metaphylaxis program can seem expensive, a reduction in mortality, treatments and increased feed efficiency (tilmicosin) can make these programs cost-effective. The decision to use a metaphylaxis program will involve estimating the anticipated cost of disease and performance reduction versus the cost of the metaphylaxis program. Consultation with your herd veterinarian may help you establish when a metaphylaxis program is most profitable in your feedlot.