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)