Although the fall calf run represents the busiest time of year for feedlots to fill pens, spring tends to be another busy time for cattle movement in Ontario. Special stocker sales are scheduled throughout the spring season. Some of these cattle are destined for pasturing over the grazing season whereas others are destined for finishing in a feedlot. Cattle transitioning into a new feedlot setting marks an important time for dialing in on best management practices in the feedlot – whether in the fall, spring, or any other season.
Taking the time to nurture newly received cattle and support them in transitioning to a new environment pays dividends throughout the feeding period. Whether feedlots are receiving recently weaned calves or stockers coming out of a backgrounding program, the goal of a receiving program is to have cattle maintain feed and water intake upon arrival, to prevent health issues from taking hold during this high-risk time of the production cycle, and to make the transition to the feedlot as smooth as possible. This article will highlight a few key considerations for supporting cattle in the transition to the feedlot.
Understanding the background of incoming cattle
- There is no ‘one size fits all’ receiving program. Understanding the background of incoming cattle can help a feedlot operator understand the risk profile of a group of cattle and tailor receiving programs accordingly.
- Generally speaking, preconditioned calves are less likely to develop disease and are better equipped to transition to a feedlot setting. Since ‘preconditioning’ is a general term to describe a set of practices applied to calves destined for a feedlot, just knowing that calves were preconditioned is not enough. Preconditioning programs may or may not include dehorning, castration, bunk training, vaccination, and low stress weaning. It is important to know which practices are adopted in a preconditioning program, where possible, as these details should inform purchasing decisions and receiving programs.
- Knowing the vaccination and treatment history of a group of cattle can help inform a health program at the feedlot.
Preparing for new arrivals, reducing stress upon arrival, and observing cattle behaviour
- Reducing stress in cattle during their journey to the feedlot goes a long way in helping cattle transition to a new feedlot environment. Avoiding over-crowding on trucks, providing ample bedding, practicing low-stress handling, and having experienced drivers are a few ways to reduce stress during transportation.
- Similarly, handling stress should be minimized when cattle are received at the feedlot and are processed. Ensure cattle handling facilities are designed properly, in good repair and working effectively prior to cattle arriving at the feedlot. Provide good footing on loading ramps and in receiving areas to avoid slipping. Keep the noise level as low as possible.
- Ensure pens and equipment are clean, well maintained, and ready for a new group of cattle. Provide ample fresh bedding to encourage rest.
- Closely observe cattle and their behaviours upon and after arrival for health, condition, and general quality.
- Assessing and categorizing risk for new arrivals can help cattle feeders develop effective health protocols and feeding programs in conjunction with their veterinarians and nutritionists.
- Keeping incoming cattle in the same pens for the first few weeks may help reduce stress and health challenges associated with commingling and pecking order.
Feeding considerations
- Consider offering cattle long-stemmed hay when they arrive at the feedlot. For younger calves, stretch out this period of hay feeding and gradually transition them onto a TMR. Offering long-stemmed hay upon arrival is a great starting place for cattle and will encourage intake and gut-fill at a time when intakes can be depressed. Ensure feed is fresh, of high-quality, and palatable. Some recently weaned calves may not have been exposed to fermented feeds prior to entering the feedlot, so offering familiar feedstuffs will help them become familiar with the bunk and consuming feed.
- Gradually step-up starch/energy in the ration to allow time for cattle to adjust to high-grain rations. Work with your nutritionist to develop a step-up program for each group of cattle arriving at the feedlot. An effective step-up program is designed to avoid digestive upsets while achieving desired gain.
- Ensure roughage/effective fibre levels in the ration are appropriate for the stage at which incoming cattle are in a feeding program. Having adequate roughage in the ration in the days after receiving helps maintain intake and transition cattle to a new feeding program.
- Natural protein supplements with sufficient levels of rumen undegradable protein are more effective in meeting protein requirements of young calves compared to urea.
- Manage particle size of feed ingredients offered in the ration. Particle size can influence digestibility and gut health. It’s important to avoid exposing cattle to a high proportion of fines which can put them at higher risk of digestive upsets.
- Provide adequate bunk space for newly received cattle. Target 16”-18” of space along the bunk per head of cattle. Bunk space requirements are higher for growing vs finishing cattle.
- Observe feeding behaviour at the feed bunk and implement sound bunk management strategies from the start. Observing how cattle behave at the feed bunk can help identify pen health issues. Monitoring feed disappearance can prevent bunks from running empty and bunk scores can be recorded to establish trends in dry matter intake.
- Observe manure consistency as an indicator for digestive upsets.
Water
- Cattle should have access to an abundant source of clean water as soon as they arrive. Providing access to clean water is important in preventing dehydration and encouraging feed intake.
- Make sure water bowls/tanks are clean and free from feed particles, manure, algae, etc.
- Young cattle may need help finding the waterer in the pen.
Processing and cattle health
- Cattle should be given time for rest, feeding, and watering prior to initial processing, especially for extremely stressed and high-risk cattle.
- Watch for signs of illness – observe their behaviours and take temperatures of cattle with suspected illness. Move sick cattle to a sick pen and provide treatment as advised by a veterinarian.
- Work closely with your veterinarian to develop a plan for vaccinations and parasite control.
- Consider control mechanisms for coccidiosis upon arrival.
Cattle moving from one environment to another can be inherently stressful. Luckily there are many strategies that can be employed to minimize stress on cattle and get them settled into the feedlot quickly. Reviewing receiving practices, training employees, preparing for new arrivals before they reach the feedlot, observing cattle upon arrival, and working with a team that includes your nutritionist and veterinarian can help make the transition to the feedlot as smooth as possible.
Sources
Bailey, Eric. 2017. Care of Newly Purchased Feeder Cattle. Retrieved from: Care of Newly Purchased Feeder Cattle | MU Extension (missouri.edu)
Parish, Jane. 2021. Stocker Cattle Receiving Management. Retrieved from: Stocker Cattle Receiving Management | Mississippi State University Extension Service (msstate.edu)
Sperber, Jessica L. 2023. Welcome to the Feedlot: Best Practices for Managing Newly Received Feeder Calves. Retrieved from: Welcome to the Feedlot: Best Practices for Managing Newly Received Feeder Calves | UNL Beef
Van Schaik, Megan. 2022. Bunk Management and Newly Received Cattle. Retrieved from: Bunk Management and Newly Received Cattle – Dairy and Beef Cattle Production (wordpress.com)
Van Schaik, M. and Wood, K. 2020. Feeding High Grain Rations to Feedlot Cattle. Retrieved from: Feeding High-Grain Rations to Feedlot Cattle-Virtual Beef June 2020 – Dairy and Beef Cattle Production (wordpress.com)
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