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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.
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