Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An evaluation of bovine respiratory disease complex in feedlot cattle: Impact on performance and carcass traits using treatment records and lung lesion scores.
- Journal:
- Journal of animal science
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Schneider, M J et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Animal Science · United States
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a common illness in cattle, affects their growth and meat quality in feedlots. Researchers analyzed health records from nearly 6,000 cattle and found that about 8% had BRD, with over 60% showing lung damage at slaughter. Cattle with BRD gained less weight during their time in the feedlot and had lower carcass weights and marbling scores, which are important for meat quality. The more treatments these cattle received for BRD, the greater the drop in their overall value, with losses ranging from about $23 to over $54 compared to those that were never treated. Overall, while lung lesions didn't seem to directly impact these traits, there was a link between certain lymph node conditions and reduced productivity.
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex on economically important production traits with the use of health records in combination with lung lesion scores obtained at slaughter. Records from 5,976 animals were used in this study from cattle that were managed in Midwestern feedlots. Average daily gain for 3 different feeding periods (acclimation, on-test, and overall test) along with final BW were evaluated as performance measures. Hot carcass weight, LM area, subcutaneous fat cover, and marbling score were collected at slaughter. All calves were monitored by experienced feedlot personnel and treated according to the specific health protocol of each feedlot. Incidence of BRD was observed at a rate of 8.17%, and lung lesions at slaughter were present in 61.9% of cattle from a subpopulation (n = 1,665). From this group of cattle, the overall incidence of BRD, which was defined as cattle that had lung lesions, that were treated for BRD in the feedlot, or both, was 64.4%. Incidence of BRD in the feedlot decreased ADG during both the acclimation period (0.37 +/- 0.03 kg) and the overall test period (0.07 +/- 0.01 kg). Incidence of BRD also had significant effects on HCW and marbling score with reduction of 8.16 +/- 1.38 kg and 0.13 +/- 0.04, respectively, in treated cattle. The adverse effects on production traits tended to increase as the number of treatments increased. Potential decrease in performance and carcass merit observed in this study were associated with a decline of $23.23, $30.15, and $54.01 in carcass value when comparing cattle never treated with cattle treated once, twice, or 3 or more times, respectively. The presence of lung lesions did not have a significant effect on any of the traits; however, there was an association between the presence of active bronchial lymph nodes and less productivity of feedlot cattle.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19181770/