73 Managing health during the receiving period

Abstract

Abstract Cattle originating from the southeastern United States and received in stocker and feedlot facilities in the southern Great Plains are at increased risk for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and other health disorders because the marketing and relocation process may result in stress-induced immunosuppression, increased respiratory virus transmission, and poor nutritional status. Cattle health directly affects growth performance because stress and the inflammatory response to infection results in tissue catabolism and anorexia. Preconditioning practices at the ranch origin, such as vaccination, castration, weaning, and feed bunk and water tank exposure, can significantly improve health outcome during the receiving period; however, this practice is underutilized, resulting in high-risk, commingled calves entering subsequent production sectors. Antimicrobial metaphylaxis is one of the most effective management strategies to control an anticipated outbreak of BRD in newly received calves, yet antimicrobial use in food animals is under intense scrutiny. Antimicrobial alternatives such as direct-fed microbial products may provide health benefits but uncertainty regarding the route and timing of application, effective dose, and product selection will require further research to improve application. Nutritional stress resulting from reduced feed and water intake before, during, and after relocation and potential trace mineral deficiency upon arrival must be considered in a comprehensive health management program. Finally, detection of BRD or other diseases in large groups of cattle is challenging because of the prey instinct to disguise clinical signs of illness. Technology that continuously monitor individual cattle behavior may provide early disease detection with greater sensitivity and specificity than traditional methods but several barriers to adoption exist. This symposium presentation will outline the multitude of factors to consider in managing cattle health during the receiving period and provide research-based evidence that challenge paradigm regarding health management of newly received cattle.