Beef Efficiencies Create Problems

By Arden Wohlers DVM
Extension Veterinarian
University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Education Center

Arguably the evolution of feedlots and related feeding technologies has been the single most important source of efficiency advancement in the U.S. cattle industry over the last 50 years. The system takes advantage of a wide range of technologies of cattle rearing that all combine to reduce age of cattle at harvest, improve the quality of the end product, and increase beef yields. This system is also what makes U.S. beef a unique and sought-after product around the world. However these efficiencies in production that allow the U.S. to have the most safe, highest quality, and least expensive food in the world do have an adverse trade off. Cattle are out of necessity housed in an unnatural animal dense environment where it is often difficult to keep sanitation levels optimum. The stress of livestock transportation and overcrowding and commingling of groups of cattle can lead to higher disease levels in the herd. Groups of cattle are often exposed to infections that they have no natural resistance against. Improved vaccines and therapeutic agents have done a superb job in preventing most anticipated disease disasters. 50 years ago after calves were weaned it was common to see sickness rates of 20% and death rates of 2% from disease most being respiratory infections. Analyzing current data we find that these numbers are essentially unchanged. Considering the management changes that have been put in place these rates are probably better than could have been anticipated. The goal now is to find improved methods of management to not only lower disease rates, but ones that will also prevent disasters from foreign animal diseases introduced accidentally or by terrorism. The actions taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and other health damaging agents in livestock and crop production is called biosecurity.

A biosecurity plan specific for a given herd and area is determined after assessing the risks involved. Resistance to disease is increased by improving immunity with improved nutrition, vaccination and lowering stress. Disease challenge is decreased by improving sanitation and creating isolation from exposure. The possibility exists that ineffective biosecurity measures may be put in place that will unnecessarily increase cost. However if the measures put in place are insufficient there could be economically devastating disease outbreaks. The cow/calf producer has the first step in stopping disease by deciding if there is already disease that should be eliminated from his herd. When a disease is already present in a herd it must be eradicated by a process of testing, culling and vaccinating. An underlying disease could be causing lower fertility, lower calf survivability or slower growth. This condition could carry over into the feeding phase of the calf’s life. The cow/calf man must know that his herds replacements come from disease free herds that his pens are clean so organisms that survive in manure are minimized and nutrition is optimum for the immune system to fight disease. Vaccines against common disease in your area should be used because of risk factors from the neighbor’s cattle, new herd additions, visitors, environmental contamination and carrier animals. The goal is to raise immunity to a level that prevents epidemics or severe monetary loss. The second step occurs as the calf enters the feeding phase. The important part of the plan is to make him feel at home as rapidly as possible to keep stress levels at a minimum. The calf should be placed with herdmates that he is familiar with and have easy access to feed, water and a place to lie down. This was easier to accomplish when one person took care of 200 head rather than 1,000 or more. Training is now being done in many feedyards on methods of handling cattle to create a higher comfort level for the new arrivals. Special attention must be given to how disease may enter the feedyard and spread from pen to pen. The health of the calves entering a feedyard must be evaluated as a possible disease source. We must consider all vehicles, visitors, service providers and employees as potential sources of contamination. When a disease source into a feedyard is identified then the necessary steps to remove or prevent it can be implemented.

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