Monitoring Feedlot Diseases For Quality Production

Abstract

Quality of marketed beef is influenced by health programs in the feeding environment. Better overall health results in better carcasses as well as reduced potential for introduction of products that can result in residues or perceptions of residues. Reduced use of pharmaceutical and biological agents can enhance quality programs. General quality assurance concepts can be applied to production with associated reduction in blemishes. Health programs can monitor specific performance of individual feedlots with the purpose of predicting better methods of reducing health problems. Better overall health is an integral component in quality assurance efforts.