Dairy Beef Quality Assurance

Do Reproductive Hormone Injections in Dairy Cows Cause Significant Edible Tissue Damage?

Authors

  • S. Wagner Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108
  • V. Fajt Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
  • L. Pedersen NDSU Extension Service, Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson, ND 58601

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20094312

Keywords:

hormone injections, beef quality, dairy industry, animal handling, feed animal

Abstract

The effects of reproductive hormone injections on beef quality and tenderness in dairy cows have not been well-described. The dilemma in Beef Quality Assurance for the dairy industry is the difficulty of injecting in front of the shoulder when animal handling facilities often include headlocks only. Using information about muscle damage caused by injections of reproductive hormones, producers, and veterinarians can make better decisions about injection practices which adequately balance meat quality with human safety.

Cover image of the 42nd Conference Proceedings: Cattle grazing in a spring field along the horizon. In the foreground, one brown cow with a triangle marking and ear tags is posing. Yellow background.

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Published

2009-09-10

Issue

2009

Section

Research Summaries 2