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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1201v1 87/1/314    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Babcock, A. H. Articles by Renter, D. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Babcock, A. H. Articles by Renter, D. G.

Feedlot health and performance effects associated with the timing of respiratory disease treatment

A. H. Babcock^*,, B. J. White^*, S. S. Dritz, D. U. Thomson^* and D. G. Renter

^* Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506 Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

bwhite{at}vet.ksu.edu

Abstract

Generalized linear mixed models were developed using retrospective feedlot data collected on individually treated cattle (n = 31,131) to determine whether cattle performance and health outcomes in feedlot cattle were associated with timing of treatment for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) during the feeding phase. Cattle that died at any point during the feeding phase were removed from the analysis. Information on individual animal performance (ADG, HCW, quality grade, yield grade) and health outcomes (treatments) were incorporated into an economic model that generated a standardized net return estimate for each animal. Prices were standardized to minimize variation between economic outcomes due to market conditions allowing direct comparisons of health and performance effects between animals. While controlling for gender, risk code, and arrival weight class, potential associations between net returns, and the timing of BRD identification were investigated using 2 categorical variables created to measure time: 1) weeks on feed at initial BRD treatment (WKFA), and 2) weeks from BRD treatment to harvest (WKTH). The first model using net return as the outcome identified an interaction between WKFA and animal arrival weight. Cattle with arrival BW between 227 and 272 kg (5WT) and 273 and 318 kg (6WT) displayed lower net returns (P < 0.05) if treated during wk 1 as compared to subsequent weeks in the first month of the feeding phase. The cattle with BW between 319 and 363 kg (7WT) and 364 and 408 kg (8WT) exhibited lower net returns (P < 0.05) if treated during the later weeks of the feeding phase compared to earlier in the feeding phase. The number of times cattle were treated contributed to variation in net returns for the 5WT and 6WT cattle. For the 7WT and 8WT cattle, HCW was the main factor contributing to lower net returns when cattle were treated late in the feeding phase. The second model identified an interaction between WKTH and arrival weight. The 4WT, 5WT, 6WT, 7WT, and 8WT cattle all exhibited lower net returns (P < 0.05) when cattle were on feed fewer weeks from BRD treatment to harvest. Cattle with more weeks on feed between BRD treatment and harvest had greater HCW, lower ADG, and more total treatments compared to cattle treated closer to harvest. This research indicates that timing of initial BRD treatment is associated with performance and health outcomes.

Key Words: cattle • days on feed • health outcomes • net returns • performance • respiratory disease

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