Clinical trial to assess the impact of acclimation and low-stress cattle handling on bovine respiratory disease and performance during the feedyard finishing phase

Authors

  • Renée D. Dewell Department of Veterinary and Diagnostic Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011; Center for Food Security and Public Health, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Suzanne T. Millman Department of Veterinary and Diagnostic Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Rebecca L. Parsons Department of Veterinary and Diagnostic Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Larry J. Sadler Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Tom H. Noffsinger Production Animal Consultants, Oakley, KS 67748
  • W. Darrell Busby Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative, Lewis, IA 51544
  • Chong Wang Department of Veterinary and Diagnostic Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011; Department of Statistics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
  • Grant A. Dewell Department of Veterinary and Diagnostic Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol53no1p71-80

Keywords:

welfare, low-stress handling, acclimation, BRD, performance, bovine

Abstract

Acclimation and low-stress cattle handling techniques (ALSCH) are promoted to improve cattle welfare. The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the impact of ALSCH in relation to conventional handling (CON) on bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and performance of cattle during the feedlot phase of production. Abruptly weaned calves (n=136; 6 to 9 months of age) were transported to a research feedyard, and randomly enrolled into 4 pens-2 replicates of CON and 2 replicates of ALSCH. Conventionally handled calves were processed through a tub and curved alleyway facility without being acclimated. ALSCH calves were systematically acclimated to the feedyard environment and an open-sided "Bud-box" design working facility prior to processing. There were no differences in respiratory morbidity between treatment groups (P=0.34). From day 19 to day 95, ADG of CON calves was 2.70 lb (1.23 kg)/day versus 2.92 lb (1.33 kg)/day for ALSCH (P=0.01). Calves in CON pens tended to have a lighter mean hot carcass weight that was approximately 29 lb (13.2 kg) lighter than calves in the ALSCH pens (P=0.07). This clinical trial provides preliminary evidence that ALSCH may result in short-term performance benefits when applied to abruptly weaned calves in a feedyard setting, and provides background information for further scientific investigation.

Downloads

Published

2019-02-01

How to Cite

Dewell, R. D., Millman, S. T., Parsons, R. L., Sadler, L. J., Noffsinger, T. H., Busby, W. D., Wang, C., & Dewell, G. A. (2019). Clinical trial to assess the impact of acclimation and low-stress cattle handling on bovine respiratory disease and performance during the feedyard finishing phase. The Bovine Practitioner, 53(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol53no1p71-80

Issue

Section

Articles