By Davies, I. H. and Munro, R., Veterinary Record, 1999
Description
A problem of lameness and stiffness became apparent on a bull beef unit in February 1997. The unit had no previous record of serious lameness problems. The bulls had been fed a fattening ration consisting of approximately 365 kg barley, 40 kg sugarbeet pulp, 25 kg molasses and 155 kg protein mix, and when the bulls were 6 months old, each received approximately 6.9 kg of the ration. The protein mix was supposed to consist of 35% protein and balanced minerals including 3.3% Ca, 1.5% Na, 1% P, 0.8% Mg and 45 mg/kg Cu, vitamins and avoparcin. However for approximately 2 months before the start of the lameness problem and unknown to the owner, the mineral, vitamin and avoparcin additive had not been included in the protein mix. Tender feet, poor weight gain, dry coats, stiffness and joint swelling were noted. A balanced mineral and vitamin supplement was re-added to the diet and a gradual clinical improvement was seen in the majority of animals and after 2 to 3 weeks the owner noted that growth rate and coat quality had significantly improved. 16 of 76 4- to 7-month old bulls and 2 of 74 of the older bulls were culled due to severe lameness problems. 15 of 18 culled were continental crosses which appeared to be more severely affected that Friesian or Friesian/Holstein crosses. PM findings of 2 bulls are presented. It is concluded that an adequate mineral and vitamin supplement in the diet of bull beef is required to prevent serious welfare problems associated with lameness and illthrift. The outbreak provides evidence that mineral and vitamin imbalance is a likely contributing factor to the development of osteochondrosis in growing cattle
A problem of lameness and stiffness became apparent on a bull beef unit in February 1997. The unit had no previous record of serious lameness problems. The bulls had been fed a fattening ration consisting of approximately 365 kg barley, 40 kg sugarbeet pulp, 25 kg molasses and 155 kg protein mix, and when the bulls were 6 months old, each received approximately 6.9 kg of the ration. The protein mix was supposed to consist of 35% protein and balanced minerals including 3.3% Ca, 1.5% Na, 1% P, 0.8% Mg and 45 mg/kg Cu, vitamins and avoparcin. However for approximately 2 months before the start of the lameness problem and unknown to the owner, the mineral, vitamin and avoparcin additive had not been included in the protein mix. Tender feet, poor weight gain, dry coats, stiffness and joint swelling were noted. A balanced mineral and vitamin supplement was re-added to the diet and a gradual clinical improvement was seen in the majority of animals and after 2 to 3 weeks the owner noted that growth rate and coat quality had significantly improved. 16 of 76 4- to 7-month old bulls and 2 of 74 of the older bulls were culled due to severe lameness problems. 15 of 18 culled were continental crosses which appeared to be more severely affected that Friesian or Friesian/Holstein crosses. PM findings of 2 bulls are presented. It is concluded that an adequate mineral and vitamin supplement in the diet of bull beef is required to prevent serious welfare problems associated with lameness and illthrift. The outbreak provides evidence that mineral and vitamin imbalance is a likely contributing factor to the development of osteochondrosis in growing cattle
We welcome and encourage discussion of our linked research papers. Registered users can post their comments here. New users' comments are moderated, so please allow a while for them to be published.