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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291893
Title: Effect of cattle temperament as determined by exit velocity on lung respiratory lesions and liver disease

Author
item SCHMIDT, TY - University Of Nebraska
item Dailey, Jeffery
item WAGGONER, JUSTIN - Kansas State University
item VOYLES, AUSTIN - Garden City Community College
item ALEXANDER, CLINT - Garden City Community College
item BUNTYN, JOE - University Of Nebraska
item DOMENECH, KATHERINE - University Of Nebraska
item SCHNEIDER, MATT - Garden City Community College
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this trial was to use exit velocity as a means of determining temperament of cattle to evaluate the impact of temperament on animal health. At the time of processing, exit velocity and body weight were recorded on 20 pens of cattle (2,877 head) at a commercial feedlot. Infrared sensors affixed to the alleyway at a distance of 2.75 meters were used to remotely trigger the start and stop of a timing system. Exit velocity (meters/second) was recorded, and cattle were placed into pens for the duration of the feeding period. Cattle were classified as temperamental (TEMP) and non-temperamental (NTEMP) based upon exit velocity. Twenty percent of each pen was classified as TEMP based the fastest exit velocity; the remaining 80% was classified as NTEMP. At the conclusion of the feeding period, cattle were transported to a commercial abattoir and harvested. At the time of harvest, the livers and lungs of each animal were evaluated. Livers were assessed based upon the Elanco Liver System and lung lesions were assessed based up a hedonic scale of 1 – 4; 1 = no lung lesions, 2 = plauritis lesions, 3=portions/lobes of lung missing, and 4 = collapsed/consolidated lesions. No difference (P=0.18) in liver abscesses was observed; 4.9 and 3.8% of NTEMP and TEMP cattle were positive for liver abscesses, respectively. Overall, 39 and 31% of NTEMP and TEMP cattle exhibited lungs lesions, respectively. Assessment of lesions revealed that 64, 14, and 22% of the lesions observed in NTEMP cattle were scored as 2, 3, and 4, respectively. For TEMP cattle, 68, 12, and 20% of lesions observed were scored as 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Based upon the scale for lung lesions, lesions were greater (P=0.006) for NTEMP cattle compared to TEMP cattle (1.61+0.02 vs. 1.46+0.05). Results of this trial indicate that based upon temperament, there is no difference in occurrence of liver disease, however, cattle classified as TEMP had decreased hedonic lung lesion scores, indicating that NTEMP cattle may be more susceptible to respiratory challenge. These data could be utilized to develop alternative health management strategies for temperamental cattle in feedlots.