Thinking Outside the Shots

Management Approach to Feedyard Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

Bovine respiratory disease complex is one of the most costly diseases in the beef industry. Prevention of this disease starts with procurement of cattle ready for the auction market. If preconditioned cattle are not economical or available, applying the correct management strategy to each subpopulation of animals is essential. Matching animal flow with the amount and experience of your labor pool is important. A proper vaccine program along with metaphylaxis is important for controlling morbidity in high risk calves. Quality pen riding, proper diagnosis, treatment and supportive care are all a function of a quality health program in the feedyard. Feedyard morbidity and mortality is mostly dependent on the type and number of cattle procured. Realizing what is normal will allow us to change the process without distorting the data.