Feedlot

What’s important during this life stage?

• Gut health
• Maintaining cattle health
• Efficient growth

Common challenges

• Bovine respiratory disease (BRD): BRD is the leading cause of illness and death in U.S. feedlot cattle.
• Grain overload: When cattle consume large quantities of grain, it can lead to several ailments, including bloat, ruminal acidosis, slowing of the gut, dehydration and death.
• Liver abscesses: Often associated with grain overload, liver abscesses reduce beef carcass values and decrease growth efficiency.
• Heat and cold stress: Extreme temperatures often lead to fluctuations in feed intake.

Tips for maximizing health and performance

• Detect BRD early.
  • The majority of BRD deaths occur within the first 45 days.
  • Early detection is essential for timely treatment.
• Test feed ingredients for mycotoxins.
  • Mycotoxins in cattle can reduce feed intake and have a negative impact on rumen efficiency.
  • Knowing the mycotoxin concentration in each individual feed ingredient will help with diet formulation to minimize mycotoxin challenges.
• Provide proper nutrition.
  • Rations need to be balanced to meet nutritional requirements according to changes in the available feed ingredients.
• Check your stocking rate.
  • Proper stocking rates are essential, as they ensure that all animals have access to feed.
  • Keeping tabs on your stocking rate also helps you avoid increased pathogen loads, which can occur with overstocked pens.
• Conduct a slow transition from starter to finishing rations.
  • This transition provides time for the rumen to adapt to higher-starch rations.
• Provide appropriate supplementation.
  • Use research-proven products that support rumen efficiency.