FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MORTALITY AND TREATMENT COSTS IN FEEDLOT CALVES - THE BRUCE COUNTY BEEF PROJECT, YEARS 1978, 1979, 1980

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (4) , 341-349
Abstract
Three years of data on factors associated with death losses and health costs in Ontario feedlot calves were analyzed. The results support the previously reported findings; significant differences in the 3rd yr (1980-1981) of the study were noted. Calf groups that were mixed after arrival in the feedlot or had a larger than average number of calves (.hivin.x = 142) had increased death losses and health costs. Calf groups whose ration was changed from dry hay to hay silage or corn silage as the major component of the ration during the 1st mo. after arrival had higher death losses and health costs. Feeding grain (barley/oats/corn) prior to, or concurrent with, the change to silage appeared to decrease the harmful effects. Cattle groups vaccinated against respiratory disease within 2 wk of arrival experienced increased death losses and health costs. These effects were ameliorated by delaying vaccination in groups switched to silage; no benefits from delaying vaccination were noted in dry hay fed groups. Prophylactic antimicrobials in the water supply during the 1st wk after arrival appeared particularly deleterious to the health of calf groups. The effects of prophylactic antimicrobials in the starter ration were unclear. During 1980-1981, there was a marked decrease in the relative importance of fibrinous pneumonia as a cause of death and the feeding of silage was not significantly associated with mortality. Both these events may have arisen from the drastic decrease in the percentage of groups fed silage by 2 wk postarrival (from 32% in previous years to 7% in 1980-1981).