Veterinarians today have access to better vaccines, better treatments and generally better overall cattle management than in the past, and yet the prevalence of feedyard death loss continues to run higher than just a few years ago. And with pressure continuing to end the use of some antibiotics for disease prevention, the industry will need to employ alternatives, beginning back at the ranch.
Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, January 22, 2016.
Tom Brink, CEO of the Red Angus Association, recently presented data showing the margin-busting losses associated with feedyard mortality and illustrating the value of effective preconditioning. Brink has vast experience in cattle feeding after years of helping manage the cattle-ownership branch of JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, the nation’s largest cattle-feeding company.
INSIGHTS: For DVMs and companies servicing the feedlots, this article reflects a perplexing reality, “them that’s got shall lose.” The gist of this article is that death loss in feedlots is a consequence of birth-to-slaughter management. DVMs, marketers and representatives might consider life stage management as a priority discussion in the coming months.