Cattle feeders first began using mass treatments for newly arrived calves back in the 1970s, as a means of controlling outbreaks of respiratory disease or “shipping fever.”
When loads of stressed, high-risk calves arrive at the feedlot, it often makes economic sense to treat them all with antibiotics to prevent an almost-inevitable outbreak of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
The dog days of summer seem to be in the rearview mirror. As lower-than-recent temperatures fall across the Corn Belt and south, farmers are likely wondering just how long this will last.
While it is difficult to envision a healthier environment for nursing calves than a green summer pasture, bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains a common problem in pre-weaned calves.
Bovine respiratory disease is the most common disease among feedlot cattle in the United States. It accounts for approximately 75% of feedlot morbidity and 50% to 70% of all feedlot deaths.
The recent BRD symposium featured a poster session, where graduate students exhibited cutting-edge research into prevention, detection and control of the BRD complex.
In extremely hot weather it is normal for body temperatures to rise moderately above normal during the heat of the day and to cool off at night when environmental temperatures are less.
The first few days an animal spends in a feedlot are critical to their health and overall performance through the feeding period. Receiving protocols vary though, based on feedyard location, time of year and source and
