Beef and Feedlot Cattle
Raised on Pasture
The breeding herds annually produce a crop of animals, that is sold to feedlots either as calves or yearlings. Preparing calves for the feedlot prior to shipment is called preconditioning. Preventive measures at the entry to the feedlot are referred to as arrival conditioning.
...shipped to the feedlot...
These preparatory processes should be completed at least 3 weeks prior to shipment
- weaning
- castration
- dehorning
- vaccination against certain feedlot diseases
- deworming
- treatment against external parasites
...arrival at the feedlot...
Separating distances between the location of breeding herds and feedlot facilities require transportation of cattle. Frequently these trips are interstate and take hundreds of miles.
Transportation facilities must be improved by
- offering feed and water before, during and after shipment
- eliminating humidity or drafty conditions
- reducing animal density
- proper handling
Consult state authorities for local regulations.
Improving shipping conditions should be considered an investment that will reduce treatment costs and losses. In the long run, economic losses due to treatment costs, reduced daily gains, and culling is more expensive than spending money to improve transportation facilities.
Feedlots purchase, finish and resell the cattle for slaughter. At the time of sale and shipment calves are more susceptible to certain diseases than are yearlings. All cattle crowding within a pen use common feeding and watering facilities. There is transfer of various pathogens during shipment and within the pen.
Feedlot cattle are susceptible to certain infectious diseases:
- IBR
- BVD
- pneumonic pasteurellosis/Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)
- enzootic bronchopneumonia of older calves and adult cattle/Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)
- malignant edema
- blackleg
- bacillary hemoglobinuria
- ITEME
- foot rot