The initial two weeks after calves arrive at a feedlot are pivotal as this period significantly influences their health and growth trajectories. During this time, calves often consume only 1.0 to 1.5% of their body weight on a dry matter basis, with stressed individuals potentially eating even less. Reduced intake can lead to decreased weight gain and increased susceptibility to illnesses like bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

For food manufacturers, understanding and implementing best practices during this critical phase ensures the production of high-quality beef products. Proper management enhances animal welfare and leads to more efficient operations and superior end products. By focusing on strategies that promote feed intake, minimize stress, and maintain health, the industry can meet consumer demands for ethically produced and nutritious beef.

Understanding the Challenges Newly Arrived Calves Face

Upon arrival, calves encounter several challenges in the feedlot that can significantly impact their health and development. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes minimizing transportation stress, ensuring immediate access to quality nutrition, proactive health management, and facilitating smooth social integration.

Such practices are vital for promoting the health and productivity of calves in feedlots. Understanding the issues below is crucial for implementing effective management strategies:

Transportation Stress

Long-distance travel exposes calves to various stressors, including confinement, noise, and temperature fluctuations. This stress can elevate cortisol levels, suppress immune function, and make calves in feedlot susceptible to illnesses. Transportation can also result in weight loss and dehydration, compromising their well-being.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Before arriving at the feedlot, calves may have limited access to feed and water, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Such deficiencies can impair rumen function and reduce feed intake upon arrival. It’s essential to provide high-quality forages and familiar feedstuffs during the initial days to encourage consumption and support rumen health.

Disease Susceptibility

Stress from transportation and new environments can weaken calves’ immune systems, increasing the risk of diseases, notably Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD). BRD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in feedlots, emphasizing the need for vigilant health monitoring and timely interventions.

Social Adjustment

Introducing calves in feedlot to unfamiliar groups can lead to social stress and aggression as they establish a new hierarchy. This stress can suppress feed intake and increase vulnerability to diseases. Providing adequate space and minimizing mixing different groups can help reduce social anxiety.

Pre-Arrival Preparations

Proper pre-arrival preparations are essential to ensure the health and productivity of newly arrived calves in feedlots. By implementing these pre-arrival preparations, feedlots can enhance the well-being and productivity of freshly received calves, leading to more efficient feedlot operations and higher-quality beef products. Key steps include:

Designated Receiving Pens

Preparing clean, spacious receiving pens with fresh bedding is crucial. These pens provide a comfortable environment that minimizes stress and reduces the risk of disease transmission among calves.

Water and Feeding Stations

Ensuring immediate access to clean water and high-quality starter feed encourages feed intake and supports rumen health. Providing familiar feedstuffs during the initial days can facilitate this process.

Biosecurity Measures

Implementing strict biosecurity protocols, including proper sanitation and quarantine procedures, helps prevent diseases from spreading within the feedlot. Establishing hospital pens for sick or injured animals allows for effective isolation and treatment, reducing the risk of disease transmission.

Staff Training

Educating feedlot workers in low-stress handling techniques is vital. Properly trained staff can minimize stress during handling, which is crucial for maintaining calf health and performance.

Initial Handling and Processing Upon Arrival

Proper management during the initial handling and processing of newly arrived calves in feedlots is crucial for ensuring their health and optimizing performance. The following practices are recommended:

Unloading and Immediate Care

• Gentle Unloading: Handle calves calmly during unloading to minimize stress, which can adversely affect their immune systems and overall well-being.
• Immediate Access to Water: Provide fresh water immediately upon arrival to combat dehydration, a common issue due to transportation.
• Observation for Injuries or Stress: Monitor calves closely for signs of injuries or extreme stress, allowing for prompt medical attention if necessary.

First 24-48 Hours Protocol

• Rest and Acclimation: Allow calves time to rest and acclimate before any major handling or processing to reduce stress and promote recovery.
• Health Monitoring: Observe calves for early signs of illness, such as respiratory distress, coughing, or diarrhea, enabling early intervention and treatment.

Vaccination and Health Checks

• Essential Vaccinations: To bolster immunity, administer vaccines against common diseases such as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), Clostridial infections, Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR).
• Deworming and Parasite Control: Implement deworming protocols to manage internal and external parasites, supporting overall health and growth.
• Physical Examination: Conduct thorough cattle health checks for lameness and injuries, providing necessary treatments to ensure mobility and comfort.

Nutrition and Feeding Strategy

Proper nutrition and feeding strategies are crucial for the health and performance of newly arrived calves in feedlots. Implementing these nutritional strategies supports the health and growth of calves in feedlots, leading to improved performance and profitability.

Key components include:

Water Availability

• Importance of Clean, Accessible Water: Ensuring calves have immediate access to fresh water upon arrival is vital. Dehydration can impair feed intake and overall health, making water availability a top priority.
• Monitoring Hydration Levels: Stressed calves are particularly susceptible to dehydration. Observing calves for signs of adequate hydration, such as normal urination and alertness, helps detect potential issues early.

Transitioning to Solid Feed

• Introduction of High-Quality Forages: Offering long-stem grass hay upon arrival encourages rumen function and feed intake. This familiar forage can ease the transition and stimulate appetite.
• Gradual Introduction to High-Energy Rations: After initial adaptation, slowly incorporating high-energy grains into the diet allows the rumen microbiota to adjust, reducing the risk of digestive disturbances. A gradual increase over 14 to 21 days is recommended.
• Use of Rumen Undegradable Protein (RUP) Sources: Incorporating RUP sources, such as distillers’ grains, enhances protein availability for growth. These proteins bypass rumen degradation, providing essential amino acids to the animal.

Disease Prevention and Management

Effective disease prevention and management are crucial for the health and productivity of newly received calves in feedlots. Feedlot operators can improve performance and increase operational efficiency by focusing on these strategies.

Key aspects include:

Common Feedlot Diseases Affecting Newly Received Calves

• Bovine Respiratory Disease: BBPD is a leading cause of illness and economic loss in feedlots. It is a complex condition often caused by stress, viral infections, and bacterial pathogens.
• Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD): This viral infection can cause respiratory and reproductive issues, leading to decreased performance and increased susceptibility to other diseases.
• Foot Rot: A bacterial infection causing lameness, foot rot can significantly impact feed intake and weight gain.

Preventative Strategies

• Proper Vaccinations: It is essential to administer vaccines against common pathogens, such as those causing BRD and BV-D. Vaccination protocols should be tailored to the feedlot’s specific risks and the calves’ source.
• Balanced Nutrition: A well-balanced diet supports the immune system, helping calves resist infections. During the initial feedlot period, ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients is vital.
• Stress Reduction: Minimizing stress through gentle handling, proper transportation practices, and comfortable housing conditions reduces disease risk. Stress management is a critical component of disease prevention.

Monitoring Systems for Early Detection and Treatment

• Regular Health Assessments: Implementing routine health checks allows for the early identification of symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, or lameness, facilitating prompt treatment.
• Record Keeping: Maintaining detailed health and treatment records aids in tracking disease patterns and evaluating the effectiveness of prevention strategies.
• Isolation Protocols: Promptly isolating sick animals prevents the spread of infectious diseases within the herd.

Low-Stress Handling Techniques

Handling newly arrived calves in feedlots requires careful techniques to minimize stress, reduce injury risks, and promote better weight gain. Research shows that calves subjected to rough handling experience reduced feed intake and compromised immune responses, making stress management a key priority.

Best Practices for Pen Riding and Handling Without Increasing Stress

• Slow, Predictable Movements: Avoid sudden or aggressive motions. Erratic handling can frighten calves and increase stress hormone levels, suppressing immune function.
• Pen Riders’ Role: Pen riders should move calmly through pens, checking for signs of illness or injury without crowding or startling the calves. Using quiet vocal cues instead of loud noises or excessive force encourages more effortless movement.
• Avoiding Electric Prods: Studies indicate that calves handled with low-stress methods, such as using flags or gentle pressure points, exhibit improved well-being and performance compared to those managed with prods.

Importance of Calm Human- Animal Interactions

• Building Trust: Calves that experience positive early interactions with handlers are less fearful and more willing to move through handling facilities.
• Consistent Handling Techniques: Assigning trained personnel who follow uniform, low-stress handling practices ensures consistency and reduces anxiety in calves.

Use of Curved Alleys and Well-Designed Handling Facilities for Smooth Movement

• Curved Alleys allow calves to move naturally, reducing their instinct to turn back and preventing bottlenecks that cause stress and injuries.
• Non-Slip Flooring & Proper Lighting: Ensuring a well-lit, non-slippery surface encourages forward movement and prevents injuries.
• Minimizing Shadows and Distractions: Calves are sensitive to shadows and sudden environmental changes. Eliminating unnecessary visual distractions improves the flow of water through chutes and pens.

Socialization and Pen Management

Newly arrived calves in feedlots undergo significant social stress as they adapt to new herd dynamics. Proper socialization strategies reduce aggression, enhance feed efficiency, and support well-being. 

Mixing Strategies to Prevent Aggression and Establish a Social Hierarchy

• Gradual Introduction: Calves should be introduced in small groups rather than thrown together in large numbers. This prevents excessive fighting and helps establish a stable hierarchy more quickly.
• Grouping by Temperament: Aggressive or dominant calves should be monitored closely to prevent bullying, which can lead to suppressed feed intake in weaker animals.

Optimal Stocking Density to Ensure Enough Space Per Calf

• Space Requirements: Overcrowding leads to resource competition, higher stress levels, and an increased risk of disease spread. Industry guidelines suggest at least 150-200 square feet per calf in outdoor lots and proper bunk space allocation to ensure all animals can eat simultaneously.
• Pen Design Considerations: Adequate space, shaded areas, and well-maintained flooring improve calf comfort and prevent unnecessary stress.

Grouping Calves Based on Weight and Health Status

• Uniform Weight Groups: Mixing calves of similar size and weight promotes fair competition at the feed bunk and reduces dominance issues.
• Health-Based Segregation: Sick or high-risk calves should be housed separately to allow close monitoring and prevent disease transmission.

Monitoring Performance and Adjustments

Effective monitoring of newly arrived calves in feedlots is essential to ensuring their well-being, steady growth, and health. Tracking key performance indicators like weight gain, feed intake, and overall health helps feedlot operators make timely adjustments to their management strategies.

Regular Health Check-Ups and Weight Monitoring

• Routine Evaluations: Frequent health assessments allow early detection of potential issues such as respiratory illnesses, lameness, or digestive problems. In the first few weeks, observing calves at least twice daily is standard industry practice.
• Weighing Protocols: Monitoring weight gain at regular intervals (e.g., weekly or biweekly) provides insights into how sound calves adapt. Healthy calves should gain 2.5 to 3.5 pounds daily after the initial adjustment period.
• Physical Condition Scoring: Evaluating body condition helps assess whether calves are receiving adequate nutrition and if interventions are needed.

Adjusting Nutrition Plans Based on Growth Progress

• Nutritional Adjustments: If calves exhibit slow weight gain, modifying protein and energy levels in the diet can improve performance.
• Feed Efficiency Tracking: Feed conversion ratios (FCR) should be assessed to ensure calves effectively utilize nutrients. The industry benchmark for feedlot calves typically ranges from 5:1 to 6:1 (pounds of feed per pound of gain).
• Special Diet Considerations: Newly received calves may require supplemental vitamins, minerals, or probiotics to enhance gut health and immune function.

Tracking Feed Intake, Water Consumption, and Behavior

• Feed Bunk Management: Monitoring feed consumption patterns helps identify calves not eating well, an early indicator of health concerns.
• Water Intake Monitoring: Hydration is critical, particularly for stressed calves. Healthy calves should consume 1-2 gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight daily.
• Behavioral Observations: Signs of lethargy, excessive isolation, or erratic movements may signal illness or social stress, requiring immediate intervention.

Conclusion

Successfully managing newly arrived calves in feedlots requires a comprehensive approach prioritizing health, nutrition, and low-stress handling. Feedlot operators can minimize stress, reduce mortality rates, and promote optimal growth by implementing best practices, such as proper receiving protocols, disease prevention strategies, and performance monitoring.

Regular health checks, nutritional adjustments, and careful pen management ensure a smooth calves transition, improving feed efficiency and overall herd productivity. A well-structured management plan enhances animal welfare and drives better profitability for feedlot operations.

---

FAQs

What Are The Management Practices Immediately After Calving?

Newborn calves should be dried, given colostrum within the first few hours, and monitored for signs of distress or illness. Proper housing, warmth, and hygiene help ensure a healthy start.

How To Handle A Calf?

Use slow, calm movements, and avoid sudden noises to reduce stress. Always support the calf’s body when lifting and use low-stress handling techniques to guide movement.

What Can You Do To Calm Down Cattle In A Feedlot?

Minimize loud noises and sudden movements, use proper handling facilities with curved alleys, and allow adequate space per animal. Consistent human interaction and low-stress handling reduce anxiety.

How Long Are Calves Fed In A Feedlot?

Calves typically spend 120 to 240 days in a feedlot, depending on their starting weight and the desired finishing weight for market readiness.

How Old Is A Calf When It Is Transported To A Feedlot?

Most calves enter a feedlot between 6 to 10 months of age, typically after weaning at around 500–700 pounds.

What Is The Diet Of A Feedlot?

Feedlot diets contain high-energy rations, including corn, silage, hay, distillers’ grains, and protein supplements to promote rapid weight gain and muscle development.