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Objective This study determines bred heifer auction price response as the number of available bred heifers for purchase decreases while controlling for reproductive management characteristics and feeder cattle prices. Materials and Methods The data used in this study came from a bred heifer sale located on the Tennessee and Kentucky state line from 2008 through 2017, and a hedonic pricing model was estimated that considered months pregnant, breed, AI pregnancy, lot size, and timing of when the heifer was purchased in the sale. Results and Discussion We found that months pregnant, lot size, sale month, and heifer price affected the sale price of bred heifers. We also can concluded that bred heifer sale price increased until about 49% of all heifers available in the sale were purchased. Implications and Applications Beef cattle producers frequently buy and sell cattle through auction markets. However, more information on how timing of placement in the sale affects bred heifer values could be helpful in informing buyers on bid timing to purchase replacements at lower costs. Results suggest that bidding earlier, or waiting to bid later in the sale, could result in lower purchase prices of bred heifer when holding reproductive characteristics and feeder cattle prices constant. This is a unique study that provides insight into bidding timing for buyers to consider when purchasing bred heifers. These strategies could be helpful in selecting lots to bid on that have desired attributes but are being sold when prices are lowest.

Effective early postnatal nutritional management is a crucial component of livestock production systems, and nutrient manipulation during this period has been shown to exert long-term consequences on beef cattle growth and physiology. Metabolic imprinting defines these biological responses to a nutritional intervention early in life that permanently alter physiological outcomes later in life. Early weaning has been used to study metabolic imprinting effects, given that it allows for nutritional manipulation of animals at a young age. This practice has been shown to enhance carcass characteristics in feedlot cattle and accelerate reproductive development of females. Another strategy to study the effects of metabolic imprinting without the need for early weaning is to provide supplements via creep feeding. Providing creep feed to nursing cattle has resulted in transient and long-term alterations in cattle metabolism, contributing to increased reproductive performance of developing heifers and enhanced carcass quality of feeder cattle. Collectively, results described herein demonstrate nutrient manipulation during early postnatal life exerts long-term consequences on beef cattle productivity and may be a strategy to optimize production efficiency in beef cattle systems.

Beef cattle cultivation is a side job for farmers which is carried out by family labor and the incomes are used to finance various needs of the farmers’ family. This study aims to determine the use of family labor in beef cattle cultivation and the use of livestock sales. The research was carried out from October 2020 to April 2021 in two Women Farmers Groups (WFG) in Bengkulu City and Seluma Regency who received beef cattle assistance from the government. Data were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that in general, beef cattle cultivation was carried out jointly by man and women farmers with a labor allocation of 39.59%. In intensive farming, farmers are more dominant in cultivation activities amounting to 46.25%, while in semi-intensive farming women farmers are more dominant in cultivation activities (41.06%). The income from the sale of livestock are mainly used for children's education expenses and buying vehicles (91.67% each), building or renovating houses (87.50%), and buying feeder cattle (79.17%). For the development of beef cattle in farmer group, it is necessary to consider the cultivation system before determining the target of recipient of the program. The development by WFG is more suitable for semi-intensive cultivation systems.

The study objective was to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and/or chromium propionate supplementation on serum chemistry, complete blood count, and fecal Salmonella spp. count in high-risk beef cattle during a 56-d feedlot receiving period and the subsequent finishing period. Four truckload blocks of crossbred beef bulls (n = 300) and steers [n = 84; total n = 384; average initial body weight (BW) = 220 ± 16.2 kg] were sourced from regional auction markets and assigned randomly to treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. Blood samples were collected from two bulls nearest to the median BW on arrival in each pen (n = 96) and fecal samples were collected from cattle in block 3 (n = 96). The generalized complete block design consisted of 12 pen replications per treatment with pen as the experimental unit. Treatments were: 1) negative control (CON); 2) 13 g per animal daily of prepared B. subtilis PB6 product (CST); 3) 450 ppb dry matter (DM) chromium propionate (CHR); and 4) 13 g per animal daily of prepared B. subtilis PB6 product and 450 ppb DM chromium propionate (CST + CHR). Treatments were top dressed in feed bunks daily using 0.45 kg per animal ground corn carrier immediately following feed delivery. Data were analyzed using mixed models with repeated measures. Day affected all serum chemistry variables (P ≤ 0.03) except total CO2 (P = 0.34) and all complete blood count variables during receiving (P ≤ 0.02) except percentage basophils (P ≥ 0.12). During the overall receiving period, serum calcium was decreased (P = 0.02) by CHR. Cattle fed CHR had greater total leukocyte count (P = 0.04) and neutrophil count (P = 0.02) during the overall receiving period. Fecal Salmonella spp. count was markedly reduced in cattle fed CST on day 28 (P = 0.01) and overall (P = 0.07). Overall, these data provide metabolic and hematologic insight into the unique challenges presented by lightweight, high-risk feeder cattle. Notably, CST was found to be effective in mitigating fecal enumeration and presumably replication of Salmonella spp. in the gastrointestinal tract.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL ASSISTANCE IN HOUSEHOLD CATTLE BREEDER IN DISTRICT WEST TOMPASO. The purpose of this research is to analyze the factors that are influencing farmer households’ decision making in allocating financial assistance for livestock production in West Tompaso sub-district, Minahasa regency. This research applies surveying method among 30 household samples. Data collecting was done in October until November 2018. Data analysis is proceeded by using simultaneous equation analysis. The result of this research shows that financial assistance allocation for cattle business is 39,76% and the rest 60,24% is the allocation for any farming businesses other than cattle business. The financial assistance for cattle business is significantly influenced by the amount of financial assistance given, feeder cattle value and the allocation of financial assistance for farming businesses other than cattle business. Meanwhile, the allocation of financial assistance for farming businesses other than cattle business is significantly influenced by the amount of financial assistance received and the allocation of the financial assistance for cattle business.Keywords: Allocation, Financial Assistance, Beef Cattle.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reasonable production costs for small cattle farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province of Thailand. Small-scale beef cattle are naturally reared by farmers without planning. Studying the primary data of beef cattle farming models and comparing the economic return costs of each form of beef cattle farming among smallholder farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province of Thailand shows that the yields are not worthwhile. By applying the specific method to 25% of the area of all farms in Nakhon Sawan Province and comparing the descriptive statistical yields, the results showed that two types of cattle with 4 characteristics predominate. The first is rearing pregnant mother cows for sale and buying mother cows. The second category is feeder cattle, release cattle and fattening cattle. A study of the costs and economic compensation of suitable small-scale beef cattle farmers in Nakhon Sawan Province of Thailand found that cattle farms should raise cattle because the yield from farming is valued and because of the economic returns and the time spent. The payback for this form is faster than other forms of investment.

This study aims to obtain empirical evidence and to analyse the effect of simultaneous and partial variable feeder cattle, livestock feed costs, cage depreciation costs, medicine and vitamin costs, labour costs on beef cattle farming. This research was conducted in Batang Serangan District, Stabat District, Babalan District with 73 respondents. The data analysis is used Multiple Linear Regression method to test the hypothesis simultaneously and partially using the F test and t test. The results of this study simultaneously (F test) show that the variable of feeder cattle, livestock feed costs, cage depreciation costs, medicine and vitamin costs and labour costs are simultaneously affect the income of beef cattle farming, while partially (t test), namely the variable of feeder cattle, livestock feed costs and cage depreciation costs shows a positive and significant effect on the beef cattle farming. It can be concluded that the cost of feeding livestock, the cost of animal feed, and the depreciation of pens are factors that have a significant effect on the income of beef cattle farming in Langkat Regency.

The value of commercial cattle, both feeder cattle and replacement females, has traditionally been imperfect as it was basically based on weight and it did not realize the potential value differences of those pounds. Historically, the "reputation" of cattle was limited without facts and true value for the system of beef production. Characterization of cattle genetic merit in the commercial cow herd today allows value differentiation. No longer are calves valued strictly on a weaned calf-weight and price. Selection tools that were typically associated with breed organizations and purchases of registered seedstock can be extended to quantifying genetic value in commercial herds. The use of genomic technology provides metrics for growth and carcass traits to better describe genetic potential for commercial calves. Allied industry delivers DNA tests that can assist commercial producers improve calf crop genetics and value-based marketing options for calf crops. Veterinarians can play a key role in assisting their clientele with sample collection, cow-herd record assessment, and interpretation of genomic results as part of a complete whole-herd management system., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2017

Temperament in cattle is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses when exposed to human handling. Our group evaluates cattle temperament using 1) chute score on a 1 to 5 scale that increases according to excitable behavior during restraint in a squeeze chute, 2) exit velocity (speed of an animal exiting the squeeze chute), 3) exit score (dividing cattle according to exit velocity into quintiles using a 1 to 5 scale where 1=cattle in the slowest quintile and 5=cattle in the fastest quintile), and 4) temperament score (average of chute and exit scores). Subsequently, cattle are assigned a temperament type of adequate temperament (ADQ; temperament score≤3) or excitable temperament (EXC; temperament score>3). To assess the impacts of temperament on various beef production systems, our group associated these evaluation criteria with productive, reproductive, and health characteristics of Bos taurus and Bos indicus-influenced cattle. As expected, EXC cattle had greater plasma cortisol vs. ADQ cattle during handling, independent of breed type (B. indicus×B. taurus, P

The southeast region from Kentucky and Virginia south to Florida is home to more than 5 million beef cows, representing a significant source of farm income. Because very little feedlot capacity exists in the region, feeder cattle sales represent the majority of beef cattle receipts. This work examined numerous factors that affect feeder cattle prices including the effect of changes in corn price, the dynamics of BW uncertainty in video auctions, and price premiums associated with age and source verification and cattle selling certified natural. Sale data from Internet sales and preconditioned feeder cattle sales were made available by a large cattle marketing firm in the region from 2008 to 2011. A hedonic model was used to examine the effect of cattle characteristics and market factors on the selling price of feeder cattle. Evidence was found that corn price negatively affected feeder cattle prices, but the magnitude was found to be smaller than in previous research. Premiums for age and source verification were found to be moderate at $15.00 per animal, which was largely consistent with estimates from other regions of the United States. Premiums for cattle selling certified natural were estimated to be around $17.00 per animal. Finally, in contrast to previous research, results suggest that market incentives with respect to existing price–BW relationships have changed such that incentives to underestimate BW in video auctions may not have existed during this time period.

Angus × Hereford steers (n = 42) and heif- ers (n = 21) were ranked by gender and BW on d 0 of the experiment and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) no transport and full access to feed and water (CON); 2) continuous road transport for 1,290 km (TRANS), or 3) road transport for 1,290 km, with rest stops every 430 km (STOP; total of 2 rest stops). Treatments were applied from d 0 to 1 of the experiment. Cattle from TRANS and STOP treatments were transported in sepa- rate commercial livestock trailers, within a single 2.1 × 7.2 m compartment, but through the exact same route. During each rest stop, STOP cattle were unloaded and offered mixed alfalfa-grass hay and water for ad libitum consumption for 2 h. Upon arrival of STOP and TRANS on d 1, cattle were ranked by sex and BW within each treatment and assigned to 21 feedlot pens (7 pens/treat- ment; 2 steers and 1 heifer/pen). Full BW was recorded before (d -1 and 0) treatment application and at the end of experiment (d 28 and 29). Total DMI was evaluat- ed daily from d 1 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0 (before loading of TRANS and STOP cattle), 1 (immediately after unloading of TRANS and STOP cat- tle), 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Body weight shrink from d 0 to d 1 was reduced (P < 0.01) in CON compared to TRANS and STOP, and reduced in STOP compared to TRANS. Mean ADG was greater (P < 0.05) in CON compared to TRANS and STOP, but similar (P = 0.68) between TRANS and STOP. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.18) on hay, concentrate, and total DMI. Mean G:F was greater (P = 0.05) in CON compared to STOP, tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in CON compared to TRANS, and similar (P = 0.85) between TRANS and STOP. Plasma cortisol concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in TRANS compared to CON and STOP on d 1, and greater (P = 0.04) in TRANS compared to CON on d 4. Serum NEFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in TRANS compared to CON and STOP on d 1, and greater (P ≤ 0.05) in TRANS compared to CON on d 4 and 7. Mean plasma ceruloplasmin concentra- tions were similar (P = 0.19) among treatments. Plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in TRANS compared to CON and STOP on d 1, and in STOP compared to CON on d 1. In conclusion, inclu- sion of rest stops during a 1,290-km transport prevented the increase in circulating cortisol and alleviated the NEFA and haptoglobin response elicited by transport, but did not improve feedlot receiving performance of transported cattle.

The objective was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported cattle during feedlot receiving. Forty-five Angus × Hereford steers were ranked by BW on d 0 and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; FM), 2) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; TRANS), or 3) no transport and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) concurrently with loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1) of FM and TRANS cohorts (CON). Upon arrival and processing for treatment administration on d 1, steers within each treatment were ranked by BW and assigned to 15 feedlot pens (5 pens/treatment, 3 steers/pen). Full BW was recorded before (d -1 and 0) treatment application and at the end of experiment (d 28 and 29) for ADG calculation. Total DMI was evaluated daily from d 1 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0 (before treatment administration), 1 (after unloading but before treatment administration), 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Body weight shrink from d 0 to 1 was less (P

Most beef cattle are transported at least once during their lives, and this potentially stressful practice may affect subsequent health and performance. Limited research is available quantifying the effects of transport on feedlot performance and health, and particularly the risk of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD), which is the most common disease of weaned calves after arrival to the feedlot. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine potential associations between distance traveled (DTV) during transportation with health (cumulative BRD morbidity and mortality of all causes) and performance (ADG and HCW) parameters in cattle cohorts (n = 14,601) that arrived to 21 U.S. commercial feedlots from 1997 to 2009. Multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial and linear regression models were employed to determine associations between health and performance outcomes with DTV and other cohort-level demographic variables. Cattle were transported a median of 552 km from origin to feedlot with a mean (± SEM) of 698 ± 4.4 km. The mean (±SEM) cumulative BRD morbidity was 4.9% ± 0.01% (median = 1.1%; range: 0 to 100%) whereas the mean (±SEM) cumulative mortality due to all causes was 1.3% ± 0.01% (median = 0.8%; range: 0 to 28.7%). Distance traveled was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with BRD morbidity, overall mortality, HCW and ADG, and its effects were modified by demographic characteristics (i.e., cohort region of origin, mean arrival BW, gender, and the season of the year) of the cohort. Knowledge of the distance traveled during transportation could allow a more precise prediction of cattle feedlot health and performance.

Closeout records for 67,570 lots of commercially fed steers and heifers, together with individual carcass records for animals in each lot, were analyzed, holding prices for feeder cattle, beef carcasses, and feed at constant levels, to characterize relationships of carcassbased measures of cattle performance to feeding profitability. Economic effects of variation in carcass-based cattle performance measures were manifested either as differences in cost per unit of carcass gain or as differences in value added per unit of carcass gain (value of carcass gain). Carcass-based G:F was the primary determinant (P < 0.0001) of cost of carcass-based gain (carcass gain) and the single most important contributor (P < 0.0001) to differences in net return per animal. Also, cost of carcass gain was increased (P < 0.0001) by increased medical expenses and mortality rate. Carcassbased ADG and days on feed, due to their combined effects on total amount of carcass weight gained during finishing, were the 2 most important determinants (P < 0.0001) of value of carcass gain and the second and third most important contributors (P < 0.0001) to net return per animal. Variables associated with carcass grid price also contributed (P < 0.0001) to differences in value of carcass gain; however, amount of value added per unit of carcass gain was more strongly driven by increased weight than by carcass grade performance. Profit was maximized by adding weight until cost of carcass gain exceeded value of carcass gain, which required finishing cattle to comparatively heavy projected HCW endpoints: 422 to 429 kg for steers and 378 to 390 kg for heifers. This study demonstrates methodologies for calculating carcass-based performance and economic metrics that can be used to optimize cattle feeding profitability for lots of cattle marketed on an individual carcass basis using a value-based grid. Additional research is warranted to examine the effects of fluctuations in cattle prices and feed cost on economic relationships and weight endpoints identified in this study.

Data (38,346 lots) were collected from 14 Arkansas livestock auctions to determine factors affecting selling price based on phenotypic expression and management. Data included selling calves in groups, sex, breed or breed type, color, muscle score, horn status, frame score, fill, body condition, age, health, BW, and price. Selling prices for steers ($116.16 ± 0.16), bulls ($109.85 ± 0.19), and heifers ($102.71 ± 0.13) were different (P 0.10). Black-white faced color sold for the highest price ($111.74 ± 0.29; P 0.10). The selling prices of muscle scores of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were $110.82 ± 0.10, $101.88 ± 0.21, $78.41 ± 0.84, and $53.64 ± 0.23, respectively, and were different (P 0.10) from that of medium-framed feeder calves. Several management and genetic factors affected the selling price of feeder cattle.

Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), are among the most damaging arthropod pests of cattle worldwide. The last estimate of their economic impact on United States cattle production was published 20 yr ago and placed losses at $608 million. Subsequently, several studies of effects of stable flies on beef cattle weight gain and feed efficiency have been published, and stable flies have become increasingly recognized as pests of cattle on pasture and range. We analyzed published studies and developed yield-loss functions to relate stable fly infestation levels to cattle productivity, and then estimated the economic impact of stable flies on cattle production in the United States. Four industry sectors were considered: dairy, cow-calf, pastured stockers, and feeder cattle. In studies reporting stable fly infestation levels of individual herds, median annual per animal production losses were estimated to be 139 kg of milk for dairy cows, and 6, 26, and 9 kg body weight for preweanling calves, pastured stockers, and feeder cattle, respectively. The 200,000 stable flies emerging from an average sized winter hay feeding site reduce annual milk production of 50 dairy cows by an estimated 890 kg and weight gain of 50 preweanling calves, stockers, or feeder cattle by 58, 680, or 84 kg. In 2009 dollars, the value of these losses would be $254, $132, $1,279, or $154, respectively. Using cattle inventories and average prices for 2005-2009, and median monthly infestation levels, national losses are estimated to be $360 million for dairy cattle, $358 million for cow-calf herds, $1,268 million for pastured cattle, and $226 million for cattle on feed, for a total impact to U.S. cattle industries of $2,211 million per year. Excluded from these estimates are effects of stable flies on feed conversion efficiency, animal breeding success, and effects of infested cattle on pasture and water quality. Additional research on the effects of stable flies on high-production dairy cows and nursing beef calves is needed to increase the reliability of the estimates.

Introduction Bovine lameness presents itself in a variety of forms. A number of predisposing factors have been reported, such as increased amounts of wet feces and mud from high rainfall; limb trauma from rocks, sticks, or handling facilities; inappropriate animal handling; or improper facility design. Trauma causes lameness directly and often provides an avenue for bacterial agents to enter and colonize a wound. Performance of lame cattle is diminished due to impaired ambulation, resulting in decreased feed intake and decreased body weight. The objective of this study was to determine the timing of the onset of lameness in feeder cattle and to determine the association between lameness and feedlot performance.

The influence of hide color and sex on carcass grading performance and value was evaluated on 18,575 carcasses. Cattle exhibited color frequencies of black (50.0%), black-white face (10.6%), red (10.6%), red-white face (5.8%), gray (4.9%), yellow (4.7%), white (3.5%), Holstein (2.7%), striped (2.4%), yellow-white face (2.2%), gray-white face (1.4%), and spotted (1.3%) and sex frequencies of 83.5% steers and 16.5% heifers. Black cattle (black and black-white face) had greater (P < 0.01) s.c. fat (1.46 cm), hot carcass weight (HCW; 362.4 kg), KPH (2.38%), calculated YG (3.30), and marbling score (Small29) with less (P < 0.01) LM area (83.9 cm2) than did nonblack cattle (red, red-white face, gray, gray-white face, yellow, yellow-white face, white, striped, spotted, Holstein) (1.24 cm, 357.2 kg, 2.34%, 2.89, Small02, 86.9 cm2, respectively). Steers had less (P < 0.01) s.c. fat (1.18 cm), KPH (2.22%), calculated YG (2.83), and marbling score (Slight98) with greater (P < 0.01) HCW (372.3 kg) and LM area (89.4 cm2) than did heifers (1.37 cm, 2.47%, 3.11, Small19, 344.0 kg, 83.4 cm2, respectively). Black cattle had greater (P < 0.01) HCW discounts (-$1.32), YG discounts (-$2.46), and market value ($122.93) with less (P < 0.01) QG discounts (-$2.07) than did nonblack cattle (-$1.10, -$1.73, $122.49, -$3.46, respectively). Steers had less (P = 0.02) HCW discounts (-$0.97) and (P < 0.01) YG discounts (-$1.33) with greater (P < 0.01) QG discounts (-$3.68) than did heifers (-$1.43, -$2.30, -$2.56, respectively). The results suggest that the incentives to pay premiums for feeder cattle based on hide color diminish once the finished animal is in the carcass form and that steer and heifer carcasses have differing carcass characteristics that could warrant independent value-based marketing methods.

A genetic simulation model is combined with an economic model of the U.S. beef industry to determine how consumer demand shifts, resulting from bull and heifer selection strategies that improve steak tenderness, affect economic profitability at four points in the beef supply chain. The results indicate that a selection strategy in which bulls in the upper 30% of genetic merit are selected each year would result in increased profitability of $9.60/head for feeder cattle and $1.23/head for fed cattle in 20 years. The net present value of the genetic improvement program is estimated to produce economic benefits of $7.6 billion. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.

Summary The variations of bovine coccidia in naturally infected beef cattle were studied in three groups of animals from three different states of the USA (Wisconsin, Montana, South Dakota). The groups comprised one herd, one feedlot and replacement heifers from six ranches. A total of 1,779 faecal samples from 518 head of cattle were examined microscopically for Eimeria spp. during a 9–13 months period. More than 50 per cent of all samples contained oocysts of bovine coccidia. The number of positive samples in decreasing order was: herd, feedlot, and heifers. A relatively higher prevalence of coccidia was recorded in summer, fall and spring, and a lower in January and June. There was a partial correlation between prevalence and number of oocysts. Mature cattle averaged fewer oocysts per gram of faeces than immature animals. Nevertheless, prevalence did not vary substantially with age. The same nine Eimeria spp. were recovered from the three groups of cattle. Five of these species were more frequently observed in the three groups. The acquisition, development and maintenance of coccidial infection in a range herd are discussed. Zusammenfassung Uber die naturliche Verbreitung von Coccidien-Infektionen bei Rindern im Mast- und Weidebetrieb Die Variationen boviner Coccidiose in naturlich infizierten Mastrindern wurden in drei Tiergruppen, die aus drei verschiedenen Staaten der USA (Wisconsin, Montana, South Dakota) stammten, untersucht. Die Tiere gehorten zu einer Herde, einem Mastbetrieb sowie neueingestellte Jungrinder von sechs Weidebetrieben. Insgesamt wurden 1779 Kotproben von 518 Rindern mikroskopisch fur die Dauer von 9–13 Monaten auf Eimeria spp. untersucht. In mehr als 50 Prozent der Proben wurden Coccidien Oocysten nachgewiesen. Die Zahl der positiven Falle nahm in der Reihenfolge - Herde, Mastbetrieb, Weidebetrieb - ab. Ein relativ gehauftes Auftreten von Coccidien wurde im Sommer, Herbst und Fruhling festgestellt, dagegen weniger im Januar und Juni. Es bestand eine teilweise Ubereinstimmung zwischen Haufigkeit und Anzahl von Oocysten. Reifere Tiere hatten im Durchschnitt weniger Oocysten pro Gramm Kot als jungere Tiere. Allerdings war die Haufigkeit im wesentlichen unabhangig vom Alter der Tiere. Die gleichen neun Eimeria spp. wurden in allen drei Rindergruppen ermittelt. Funf dieser Typen wurden in allen drei Gruppen haufiger beobachtet. Es wurde dargelegt, wie Coccidien-Infektionen in einer Herde von Weidetieren entstehen, sich weiterentwickeln und fortbestehen. Resume A propos de l'extension naturelle des infections a coccidies chez le bovin d'engrais et de pâture On a etudie les variations de la coccidiose bovine dans trois groupes de bovins a l'engrais naturellement infectes provenant de trois etats differents des USA (Wisconsin, Montana, South Dakota). Les animaux appartenaient a un troupeau, a une exploitation d'engraissement et comprenaient de jeunes bovins nouvellement installes de six exploitations de pâturages. On a recherche microscopiquement Eimeria spp. sur une duree de 9–13 mois avec un total de 1779 echantillons de feces chez 518 bovins. On a trouve des oocystes de coccidies dans plus de 50% des echantillons. Le nombre des cas positifs diminue dans le sens troupeau, exploitation d'engraissement, puturage. On a constate une apparition relativement frequente de coccidies en ete, en automne et au printemps avec diminution en janvier et juin. Il existe en partie une concordance entre la frequence et le nombre des oocytes. Les animaux matures avaient en moyenne moins d'oocystes par gramme d'excrements que les animaux plus jeunes. La frequence etait toutefois nettement independante de l'âge des animaux. On a rencontre les memes neuf especes d'Eimeria dans les trois groupes de bovins. On a rencontre plus frequemment cinq types dans les trois groupes. On montre comment des infections a coccidies apparaissent, se developpent et subsistent dans un troupeau d'animaux au pâturage. Resumen Sobre el desarrollo natural de infecciones de coccidia en ganado de pastoreo y ceba Las variaciones de coccidia bovina en ganado de carne naturalmente infectado fueron estudiadas en tres grupos de ganado de tres estados de USA (Wisconsin, Montana, Dakota del Sur). Los animales pertenecian a un hato, un corral de ceba y novillas de seis ranchos. Un total de 1.779 muestras fecales de 518 cabezas de ganado fueron examinadas microscopicamente para la presencia de Eimeria spp. durante un periodo de 9–13 meses. Mas de cincuenta por ciento de las muestras contenian oocystos de coccidia bovina. El numero de muestras positivas de mayor a menor fue: hato, corral de ceba y novillas. Relativamente la prevalencia de coccidia fue mayor en varano, otono y primavera y menor en Enero y Junio. Hubo correlacion parcial entre prevalencia y el numero de oocystos. Ganado adulto en promedio mostro menor numero de oocystos por gramo de materia fecal que ganado joven. Sin embargo, prevalencia de coccidia no vario sustancialmente con edad. Las mismas nueve Eimeria spp. se encontraron en los tres grupos de ganado. Cinco de estas especies se observaron mas frecuentemente en los tres grupos. Se describen la adquisicion, desarrollo y mantenimiento de infeccion con coccidia en un hato en pastoreo.

Beef cattle farm is an economic activity that its correlation relatively high with ecology condition, ever more its activity be dominated by smallholder with farm scale of 1—3 head beef cattle, so the capital of feeder cattle are component production costs relatively large. By doing so, lose one head of cattle means losing some of the capital that had been invested in its farm. This condition has implications for the behavior of farmers in managing its farm. The farmers in the decision-making act reluctant to risk so there is a bit of a program or package of new technologies to improve the performance of farm rejected. Therefore, this study analyzed the preferences of farmers against risks, and find out the socio-economic conditions that be the deciding factor on farmer preference for risk.The method used was a survey with multistage random sampling. The numbers of samples in this study were 150 people from three different areas, namely: District of Bandung, Subang, and Pangandaran (South Ciamis). Data analysis model used in relation to this research problem was the model's utility function and Component Factor Analysis (CFA). The results showed that the overall breeders had a reluctant attitude to risk (risk averter). This is indicated by the value of x3, namely -63,692.693 < 0; and socio-economic factors that determine the preference of farmers against risk are age, education, and experience for farm management; while the business scale factor, number of dependents, and ownership determine the size of the gross margin.

Feeder cattle are fattened to become fed live cattle 6 months later, and the feeder cattle stock is fixed in the short-run. Efficiency in competitive markets suggests feeder cattle prices should fully reflect feed prices and information on future fed cattle prices. Employing a long time series (1979–2004) of feeder cattle futures, live cattle futures, and local corn prices, we test whether complete pass-through occurs. For fed cattle futures prices, we find about 93% of complete pass-through to present feeder cattle prices. The corresponding negative effect of a corn price increase is about 87% of complete pass-through. In contrast with imperfectly competitive agricultural land rental markets, the results support the hypothesis of Ricardian rent extraction by the scarce asset owner in feeder cattle markets.

The objective of the present study was to assess cattle welfare during transportation. Vehicle inspection and observation of cattle behavior during loading operations were conducted at two major livestock markets (T and M) in Japan. Market T provided young feeder cattle (Wagyu and cross-bred aged 6.8–9.0 months) mainly for regions farther than 1500 km. Market M provided young cattle (Wagyu aged 6.6–11.2 month) and calves (crossbred and Holstein aged 0.7–1.5 month) for nearby regions within 500 km. Market T had loading platforms 1.0 m high, whereas market M had partial allocation of platforms and forced most transporters to load cattle from the ground. Vehicles were inspected according to the welfare standards for beef cattle of the RSPCA. Number of vehicles inspected was 36 and 31 in markets T and M, respectively. Cattle hesitations (kneeling down, slipping, balking, backing down, turning around, jumping and eliminating) were observed at the loading ramp. Vehicles inspected at the markets complied with most requirements of the welfare standards, but non-compliance was found in two requirements: in market M, 71.0% of vehicles had the loading ramp at a >20% incline, whereas 17.1% of vehicles did in market T (P

Data were collected from 15 Arkansas livestock auctions to determine factors affecting selling price. Data included how calves were sold (single or groups), sex, breed or breed type, color, muscle thickness, horn status, frame score, fill, body condition, age, health, BW, and price. Data were randomly collected on 52,401 lots consisting of 105,542 calves. Selling prices for steers ($124.20 +/- 0.07), bulls ($117.93 +/- 0.12), and heifers ($112.81 +/- 0.07) were different from each other (P

The objectives of the study were to determine how factors affecting the selling price of feeder calves changed from 2000 to 2005 and to examine the perception that discounts narrow or even disappear as calf supplies decrease and selling prices increase. Data from weekly Arkansas livestock auctions were collected from January 1 to December 31 in 2000 and 2005. Data included calf sex, breed type, color, muscle score, horn status, frame score, fill, condition, health, and BW. Mean selling prices for 2000 and 2005 were $92.91 +/- 15.05 and $118.32 +/- 15.13 (mean +/- SD; $/45.45 kg), respectively. Individual price observations were subtracted from the respective annual means and became the dependent variable. The selling prices for feeder calves sold in groups of 2 to 5 calves and in groups of >/= 6 calves were greater in 2005 than 2000 (P < 0.001). Steers received a greater premium ($6.48 +/- 0.09 vs. $6.02 +/- 0.08; mean +/- SE) and bull calves received greater discounts ($0.30 +/- 0.14 vs. $1.68 +/- 0.09) in 2005 than in 2000. Breeds types that increased in value from 2000 to 2005 were Angus x Hereford, Angus, Angus x Charolais, and Brahman (P < 0.001). Breed types that received a reduced selling price in 2005 compared with 2000 (P < 0.001) were one-fourth Brahman Cross, Charolais, Charolais x Limousin, Hereford x Limousin, Limousin, Limousin x one-fourth Brahman, Longhorn, Saler and Simmental. Yellow-white face, black-white face, black, and gray feeder calves received an increase in selling price from 2000 to 2005 (P < 0.001). Although fewer horned feeder calves were sold in 2005 (P < 0.01), they received greater discounts in 2005 than 2000 (-$2.86 +/- 0.16 and -$0.51 +/- 0.09; P < 0.001). In 2005, large-framed feeder calves did not receive the premium detected in 2000, but medium-framed feeder calves in 2005 received a greater selling price compared with 2000. Feeder calves with a muscle score of 1 received a greater premium in 2005 compared with 2000 ($2.58 +/- 0.06 and $0.02 +/- 0.09, respectively; P < 0.001). Feeder calves with a muscle score of 2 were discounted in both years, but the discount in 2005 was not as great as in 2000 (P < 0.001). Full and tanked feeder calves received greater discounts in 2005 than in 2000 (P < 0.001). Discounts for fleshy and fat feeder calves were greater in 2005 than in 2000. Most factors affecting the selling price of Arkansas feeder calves in 2000 affected the selling price in 2005. Although feeder calf supplies were smaller in 2005 than 2000, many discounts increased.

Feedlot consulting veterinarians (n=23) in the United States and Canada participated in a beef cattle health and well-being recommendation survey. The objective of the survey was to determine the recommendations of consulting feedlot veterinarians in the United States and Canada for cattle health and well-being, and to compare these recommendations to those made in a survey conducted in 2009. Participants answered 78 questions on feeder cattle husbandry, health, and preventative medicine recommendations. Survey results showed that veterinarians visit feedlots in their practice an average of 1.7 times/month. Feedlot veterinarians train employees on pen riding, processing procedures, necropsy, and many other areas of cattle health and well-being. The majority of veterinarians use Beef Quality Assurance concepts as part of employee training. Veterinarians also give recommendations on routine surgical procedures, such as dehorning and castration, metaphylaxis, feed-grade antibiotics, vaccination programs, and treatment regimens. Morbidity and mortality rates for feedlots consulted were obtained, along with other information about risk factors for morbidity rates. Cattle health risk was considered the most important factor for predicting morbidity in both 2009 and 2014. This survey provides valuable information on the current recommendations of feedlot consulting veterinarians in the United States and Canada, helps track industry changes over time, and offers benchmarking data for the industry., The Bovine Practitioner, Vol. 49, No. 2 (2015 Summer)

The joint analysis of indicators of the investment project is very relevant in making decisions, resulting in more consistent information regarding risk assessment and its confrontation with the possibility of return. This research aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of Red Angus young steers finished in feedlot, slaughtered at 340, 373, 396 or 430kg with use of various financial indicators, marketed with or without bonus. The purchase of feeder cattle and feeding were variable costs with a higher share in the total cost. In the analysis with bonus, the regression analysis to gross margin, net margin, net present value, benefit:cost index and additional return on investment showed quadratic behavior, with the point of maximum at 406kg (R$ 185.17), 406kg (R$ 161.76) , 393kg (R$ 128.29), 392kg (1.12), 392kg (11.98%), respectively. In the analysis without bonus, gross margin and net margin showed a quadratic response (346kg, with R$ 110.31 and R$ 86.90, respectively), while for the other indicators, there was a linear reduction as an increase in slaughter weight. A análise conjunta de indicadores do projeto de investimento é muito relevante na tomada de decisões, resultando em informações mais consistentes da avaliação do risco e seu confronto com a possibilidade de retorno. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a viabilidade econômica da terminação de novilhos Red Angus superjovens em confinamento, abatidos com 340, 373, 396 ou 430kg, com uso de diversos indicadores financeiros, comercializados com ou sem bonificação. A compra dos bois magros e a dieta foram os custos variáveis com maior participação no custo total. Na análise com bonificação, a análise de regressão para margem bruta, margem líquida, valor presente líquido, índice benefício:custo e retorno adicional sobre o investimento demonstrou comportamento quadrático, com ponto de máxima aos 406kg (R$ 185,17), 406kg (R$ 161,76), 393kg (R$ 128,29), 392kg (1,12), 392kg (11,98%), respectivamente. Na análise sem bonificação, margem bruta e margem líquida apresentaram comportamento quadrático (346kg, sendo de R$ 110,31 e R$ 86,90, respectivamente), enquanto que, para os demais indicadores, houve redução linear, conforme aumento no peso de abate.

Three hundred and seventy-five steers (approximately 7 mo of age and 239.0±10.4 kg) were utilized to determine the effects of trace mineral (TM) supplementation and source on performance during the on-farm backgrounding and feedlot receiving phases of beef cattle production. At their respective ranches, steers were stratified by body weight into six groups. Groups were then assigned to one of six pens and pens were randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) control (no supplemental Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co), 2) inorganic trace mineral (CuSO 4 , ZnSO 4 , MnSO 4 , and CoCO 3 ), and 3) organic trace mineral (iso-amounts of organic Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co). Mineral treatments were fed in alfalfa pellets formulated to supply 360 mg of Zn, 200 mg of Mn, 125 mg of Cu, and 12.5 mg of Co per head per day from either organic or inorganic trace mineral sources. Control steers received alfalfa pellets with no additional Cu, Zn, Mn, or Co. Steers were allowed free access to harvested alfalfa-grass hay throughout the 30-d on-farm backgrounding phase. On day 30 post-weaning, steers were weighed and transported to the feedlot. Steers were blocked by treatment within ranch, stratified by initial body weight, and randomly assigned to one of 36 pens (9-12 head per pen; 12 pens per treatment). Steers remained on the same on-farm backgrounding trace mineral treatments, however, trace mineral treatments were included in the total mixed growing ration. Steers were fed a corn silage-based growing diet throughout the 28 d feedlot receiving period. There was no effect of TM supplementation on performance of steers during the on-farm backgrounding phase. By the end of the 28-d feedlot receiving phase, ADG was similar between control and trace mineral supplemented steers. Steers supplemented with organic TM had greater (p

Direct measures of body size and condition may be useful in sorting feeder cattle into uniform groups prior to entering the feedlot. Two groups of yearling steers were allocated to three pastures during either the cool or warm seasons and placed on low, intermediate, or high planes of nutrition with a corn-soybean meal supplement. Hip height (HIPH), BW, ultrasound fat thickness (12th to 13th rib; UFT), kilograms of BW per centimeter of HIPH (BW/HIPH), body condition score (BCS), and UFT/100 kg of BW (UFT/BW) were taken at the end of stocker grazing and compared with endpoint carcass traits. Correlations

This study was conducted to determine if glycated albumin is associated with marbling in beef cattle. Crossbred steers (n=113) were assigned randomly to different treatments to determine the effects of feeding strategies (with anabolic growth implants, CONV; without growth implants, NAT) on blood proteins, glucose, and insulin. Total serum protein and albumin were not different between marbling scores and feeding strategies. Glycated albumin was not correlated with marbling scores. Plasma glucose concentration was greater in steers with a marbling score of slight compared to all other marbling scores, and NAT feeding strategy had greater concentration than CONV (P = 0.02). Plasma insulin in steers with marbling scores of modest and moderate were greater than small (P = 0.01). However, they were all similar to marbling scores of slight and slightly abundant. More research is necessary to determine whether glycated albumin is associated with marbling in beef cattle.

A study was designed to investigate the thermoregulatory responses of feeder cattle to both acute and chronic exposures to elevated environmental temperatures. Rectal temperatures (RT) and respiration rate (RR) showed significant differences between temperature treatments. Both RT and RR had a diurnal pattern, which followed the diurnal pattern of the ambient conditions with some lag. Heat production at thermoneutral conditions was significantly higher than at the heat stress treatments. Heat production and respiratory quotient were the only two parameters shown to change with acclimation to heat stress.

The effect of early turnout on pasture quality and weight gain by beef cattle was assessed with 32 Hereford feeder cattle which were turned out on pasture on four separate dates in each of 2 yr in a randomized complete block design with two replications. In 1998, steers were allocated to four treatments numbered consecutively T1 to T4 according to turnout date: 6 May [110 growing degree days above 5°C (GDD)], 13 May (152 GDD), 20 May (195 GDD) and 27 May (255 GDD). Steers grazed separate 0.4-ha paddocks continuously for 28 d. In 1999, turnout dates were 11 May (124 GDD), 18 May (156 GDD), 26 May (226 GDD) and 2 June (304 GDD), with 0.6, 0.5, 0.4 and 0.3 ha of pasture allocated to each treatment (two steers, two heifers), respectively. Soil resistance to penetration, sward height, herbage mass and chemical composition, and animal liveweight gain were recorded. Early turnout did not increase soil compaction. Herbage mass at turnout for T1 to T4 was 532, 780, 1370 and 1299 kg dry matter (DM) ha-1, respectively, in 1998, and 901, 983, 1324 and 1719 kg ha-1, respectively, in 1999. Herbage mass increased by 273 kg ha-1per week as turnout was delayed in 1998 and 256 kg ha-1in 1999. Crude protein concentration declined from approximately 200 g kg-1 DM at T1 to less than 175 g kg-1 DM at T4 in both years. Fibre concentration, as indicated by ADF and NDF, increased 1 wk after turnout. Forage quality declined as turnout was delayed, but grazing did not improve forage quality relative to ungrazed swards. In 1998, cattle in T1 to T4 lost 4.7, 4.0, 1.2 and 4.2% of BW, respectively, in the week after turnout, whereas in 1999, T1 to T4 lost 1.2, 4, 0.5 and 1.5% of BW, respectively. In 1998 over the 28-d period, steers in T1 and T2 lost 0.52 and 0.21 kg d-1, respectively, whereas steers in T3 and T4 gained 0.60 and 0.51 kg d-1. In 1999, over the 28-d period, cattle in T1 to T4 gained 1.1, 0.64, 1.1 and 0.61 kg d-1, respectively, with cattle in T1 gaining significantly more weight (P < 0.014) than those in T4. The results suggest a weight gain of 0.5 to 1.0 kg d-1 can be achieved in a 28 day grazing period with early turnout on native pasture provided herbage mass ranges between 900 and 1300 kg DM ha-1 and approximately 130 kg forage DM head-1 is initially on offer. Key words: Native pasture, grazing, steer performance

Data were collected from 17 Arkansas livestock auctions to determine factors affecting selling price. Data included how calves were sold (single or groups), gender, breed or breed type, color, muscle thickness, horn status, frame score, fill, body condition, age, health, BW, price, and when during the sale the calf was sold. Data were randomly collected on 81,703 calves. The selling prices for steers ($99.70 ± $0.07), bulls ($95.07 ± $0.08), and heifers ($88.75 ± $0.06) were different from each other (P 4 Brahman x other crosses, Simmental, Hereford, Brahman, and Longhorn were less than the overall mean and were different (P

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a viabilidade econômica da terminação em confinamento de novilhos, por meio de indicadores financeiros de retorno e risco, via análise determinística, tomando como base valores de cotações médias praticadas no Rio Grande do Sul nos anos de 2004 a 2012. Foram utilizados 18 novilhos da raça Charolês, com idade média inicial de 30 meses e peso médio inicial de 297,0kg ±11,5kg. Avaliaram-se três pesos de abate pré-determinados: 420, 460 e 500 kg, sendo os pesos obtidos de 421, 461 e 495 kg, respectivamente. O período de alimentação foi de 110, 145 e 184 dias, respectivamente. Os custos variáveis representaram 98% do custo total, sendo que, destes, os mais representativos foram: compra do animal magro e alimentação (volumoso + concentrado). As estimativas dos indicadores financeiros para os pesos de abate de 421, 461 e 495 kg foram, respectivamente, de R$ -266,30, -323,49 e -417,18 para margem bruta, R$ -289,70, -346,90 e -440,59 para margem líquida, de R$ -344,89, -419,93 e -536,24 para lucro, de R$ -316,78, -381,92 e -483,67 para valor presente líquido, de 0,85, 0,83 e 0,81 para índice benefício:custo, -2,65%, -2,52% e -2,58% para retorno adicional sobre o investimento, -5,02%, -4,57% e -4,56% para taxa interna de retorno (a.m.) e 7,05, 8,37 e 9,86 meses para payback descontado. Apesar de indicarem inviabilidade da terminação em qualquer peso de abate, menores pesos resultaram em menores perdas econômicas, tornando essa tecnologia de elevado risco econômico. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic viability of feedlot-finished steers through financial indicators of risk and return, via deterministic analysis, based on average values quotations practiced in Rio Grande do Sul state in the years 2004-2012. We used 18 Charolais steers with average initial age of 30 months and average initial weight of 297.0kg ± 11.5kg. We evaluated three predetermined slaughter weights: 420, 460 and 500kg, being the weights obtained of 421, 461 and 495kg, respectively. Variable costs represented 98% of total cost, and of these, the most representative were purchase of feeder cattle and food (forage + concentrate). The estimates of the financial indicators to slaughter weights of 421, 461 and 495kg were, respectively: R$ -266.30, -323.49 and -417.18 for gross margin; R$ -289.70, -440.59 and 346.90 for net margin; R$ -344.89, -419.93 and -536.24 for profit; R$ -316.78, -381.92 and -483.67 for net present value; 0.85, 0.83 and 0.81 for index benefit:cost, -2.65%, -2.52% and -2.58% for additional return on investment; -5.02%, -4.57% and -4.56% for the internal rate of return (a.m.); and 7.05, 8.37 and 9.86 months for discounted payback. Although these results indicate infeasibility of termination at any slaughter weight, lower weights resulted in lower economic losses, making this technology of high economic risk.

In many parts of the U.S., beef cattle production is a large sector of the agricultural economy, yet few of the cattle are stockered; instead the production is focused on cow-calf operations only. Restricting their Operation to only the first phase of beef production may be limiting the cattle owners’ profit potential. This paper examines the opportunities for Operators to earn additional profit from stockering cattle. Using a representative risk-averse producer, a decision set with seven possible marketing strategies is evaluated for the optimal decision in a Bayesian framework which allows for price and production risk. We find that in many instances retaining the cattle for stockering is a superior decision when done in conjunction with specific hedging strategies utilizing options and futures contracts.

Many human foodborne illnesses are caused by pathogens commonly harbored by food animals. Escherichia coli O157 is one of these pathogens commonly isolated from beef cattle feces and can enter the food chain at harvest. In addition to the human health concerns, this pathogen has important economic implications. Costly recalls of beef products and loss of consumer confidence associated with outbreaks of foodborne illness can affect profitability on many levels of production. In the past 10 years, E. coli O157 has cost the beef industry an estimated $2.67 billion. A portion of this expense is allocated to government and industry research. Methods to intervene and reduce the opportunity of these pathogens to enter the food chain have been tested and implemented both preand postharvest. The focus of this experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel vaccine technology to reduce E. coli O157 shedding in feeder cattle prior to harvest.

Se presentan los resultados de aplicar una metodología rápida y económica para tipificar sistemas de producción bovinos a partir de datos obtenidos de fuentes secundarias. La metodología describe modelos estructurales de producción ganadera y los ubica espacialmente determinando sistemas modales. Para ello se utilizan estadísticas básicas del departamento de Santander (Colombia), que asumen el municipio como unidad de análisis. Se proponen y usan algunas variables para el desarrollo y cálculo de indicadores relacionados con aspectos estructurales de los sistemas de producción, tales como la ocupación y uso de la superficie agropecuaria, la estructura demográfica bovina, el tamaño predial de las fincas, la distribución rural y urbana de la población humana, la vacunación contra la fiebre aftosa y la utilización de pastos mejorados. Mediante técnicas estadísticas de Análisis Multivariado, Correlación Múltiple, Análisis de Componentes Principales y Análisis Jerárquico de Conglomerados fue posible identificar tipologías, calculando matemáticamente sus descriptores. Así, se identifican y describen cuatro tipologías estructurales: bovinos de cría en el modelo de economía campesina, bovinos para producción de carne, bovinos como actividad complementaria de la economía campesina agrícola y bovinos de cría y levante en un modelo pre-empresarial. La ubicación espacial de las tipologías se realizó dentro de subregiones naturales (Zona Fría, Montaña Santandereana, Hoyas de los Ríos Ponce Chica mocha y Suárez y Valle del Magdalena Medio), lo cual condujo a la identificación de doce subgrupos que se priorizaron de acuerdo con su inventario ganadero para una mejor descripción de las tipologías.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to be the leading cause of death in feeder cattle, with losses approaching $1 billion annually in North America. In contrast to beef cattle, dairy calves are more likely to be affected with BRD during the pre-weaning (incidence, 58%) and post-weaning (incidence 42%) periods. Additionally, the impact of BRD extends beyond the actual disease episode, with negative effects evident on subsequent productivity and survivability of replacement stock. The ability to identify calves during the initial stages of BRD by behavior monitoring would allow for earlier treatment intervention and potentially decrease the disease's effects on subsequent productivity. Results of recent studies indicate that group housing or daily increased provision of milk decreased the incidence of disease and increased the daily gain. These findings suggest the potential for a positive effect of the social interactions stemming from group or paired housing. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of milk feeding levels and housing on the incidence of BRD in young dairy heifers., American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2013