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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #396480
Research Project: Nutritional Intervention and Management Strategies to Reduce Stress and Improve Health and Well-being in Cattle and Swine

Location: Livestock Issues Research

Title: Targeted metaphylaxis using rectal or infrared temperature in high-risk steers during the feedlot receiving period

Author
item SMOCK, TAYLOR - Texas Tech University
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item Broadway, Paul
item Sanchez, Nicole
item HOFFMAN, ASHLEY - Texas Tech University
item LONG, NATE - Texas Tech University
item MANAHAN, JEFF - Texas Tech University
item MCDANIEL, ZACH - Texas Tech University
item HALES, KRISTIN - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/12/2022
Publication Date: 1/24/2023
Citation: Smock, T.M., Carroll, J.A., Broadway, P.R., Sanchez, N.C., Hoffman, A.A., Long, N.S., Manahan, J.L., Mcdaniel, Z.S., Hales, K.E. 2023. Targeted metaphylaxis using rectal or infrared temperature in high-risk steers during the feedlot receiving period. Proceeding of the 103rd Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, January 22-24, 2023, Chicago, Illinois. p. 102.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective was to evaluate rectal temperature and infrared thermography as qualification for targeted metaphylaxis, and the impacts on clinical health, growth performance, hematology, and serum haptoglobin in high-risk, newly received beef steers during a 42-day feedlot receiving period. Crossbred beef steers (n = 240, arrival BW = 258 plus/minus 22.5 kg) were used where pen was the experimental unit. Experimental treatments included: injection with sterile saline (NCON); conventional metaphylaxis administered to all steers (CONV); targeted metaphylaxis administered to steers with rectal temperature > 39.7 degree C (RECT); or targeted metaphylaxis administered to steers with ocular infrared temperature > 39.7 degree C (EYE). Blood samples for quantification of complete blood cell counts and serum haptoglobin were collected on days 0, 14, and 42 relative to metaphylaxis. Metaphylaxis was administered to 0% of NCON, 100% of CONV, 48.9% of RECT, and 48.6% of EYE steers (P < 0.01). Therapeutic treatment rate for BRD did not differ (P = 0.16), but overall treatment rate was minimal. Both methods of targeted metaphylaxis decreased total mL of antimicrobials administered compared to CONV (P < 0.01). Metaphylaxis accounted for 83.3% of total antimicrobials administered to RECT and 58.7% of total antimicrobials administered to EYE. Body weight, DMI, DMI as % of BW, and G:F did not differ at any time point (P > 0.07). From days 0 to 42, ADG was greatest in CONV and RECT least in NCON and intermediate in EYE (P < 0.01). No treatment differences in complete blood count were noted (P > 0.10). Conclusions Herein, both methods of targeted metaphylaxis decreased antimicrobial administration relative to conventional metaphylaxis. Steers administered targeted metaphylaxis based on rectal temperature had comparable ADG to those administered conventional metaphylaxis. Metaphylaxis is a widely used disease management tool in feedlots, and utilization of targeted preventatives with measures of body temperature may decrease total antimicrobial use while maintaining optimal health and growth performance outcomes.