There is still some hesitancy to use implants
For decades, many producers have incorporated the use of growth-stimulant implants in their cattle operations. All implants on the market have been vetted and deemed safe for animals and for people consuming the end product. Yet, there may still be a bit of hesitancy from some producers to use implants. Livestock extension specialists encourage producers to read the research and seek expert advice when determining what is best for their operation.
Implant Safety: According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Since the 1950s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of steroid hormone drugs for use in beef cattle and sheep, including natural estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and their synthetic versions.” The FDA also regulates the use of approved implants.
Additionally, several organizations, including the FDA and World Health Organization (WHO), agree that utilizing implants in beef production does not pose a safety risk to consumers. According to the FDA, all approved steroid implant products have a zero-day withdrawal.
There are exceptions when it comes to the use of implants in some animals. There are no steroid hormone implants approved for growth purposes in dairy cows, veal calves, pigs or poultry.
Implants Design: Implants are typically comprised of natural or synthetic compounds designed to produce physiological responses in an animal that are similar to the animal’s natural hormones. The implants usually come in the form of a small pellet. The pellet is implanted under the animal’s skin on the backside of its ear.
Typically, implants are made up of three types of compounds: estrogens, androgens and progestins. The implants are created to release the active ingredients over a sustained period of time. Studies looking at the effectiveness of implants found implanted steer calves displayed increased rates of growth and feed efficiency compared to non-implanted steer calves.
Enhanced Performance: The number one reason for utilizing implants is increasing an animal’s growth rate. “Obviously, you get a benefit in performance in steer calves,” Shawn Deering, livestock extension specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said. “When we castrate calves, we remove some of the natural hormone that is produced, and we know that bull calves will grow faster than steer calves. So, what we are trying to do is replace some of that, that we lose.”
The impact of utilizing growth-enhancing implants in steer calves is a well-researched management strategy. According to a publication released by professors and researchers with Mississippi State University Extension, implants helped cattle gain weight at an accelerated rate. “When used properly, growth-stimulating implants can enhance average daily gain in suckling calves by 4 to 8 percent, in growing calves by 10 to 20 percent, and in finishing cattle by 15 percent. In addition, feed efficiency is expected to improve by 6 to 8 percent in growing cattle and by 8 to 10 percent in finishing cattle.” (Mississippi State University Extension; publication P2485.)
Choosing Whether to Implant: Some livestock extension specialists say they have seen an uptick in recent years in the number of producers utilizing implants in their operations. “If you look at the science, it is a sound management tool that I think everybody should be using. Unless, you have a specific way you market your cattle that you get paid for not using it,” Deering stated.
Implementing growth-stimulating implants into a cattle operation is not for all producers for a variety of reasons. Some operations may sell their product in a market where consumers prefer beef from non-implanted animals. Or producers may not have the time or labor to implant their calves.
Producers are likely aware of the concern expressed by some consumer groups about using growth-promoting hormones in beef cattle. Professors at Oklahoma State University analyzed several studies conducted on the topic. They concluded, “Beef from steers and heifers fed for slaughter have a very low level of estrogenic activity, regardless of implant status. In fact, ice cream contains 272 times more estrogen than implanted beef (Preston, 1997). Common grain and vegetable sourced foods such as peas, wheat germ and cabbage have 180 to 1,000 times the estrogenic activity of implanted beef.” (Implants and Their Use in Beef Cattle Production; Id: AFS-3290.)
Administering the Product: If producers are going to utilize implants, they need to make sure they do it correctly to minimize infections in the ear at the site where the pellet is implanted. Following Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) practices such as using disinfectants with the implant gun, keeping everything clean and administering the implant according to manufacturer and herd veterinarian instructions.
There are different implants on the market for the age of the animal, type of operation, and duration of time the implant lasts. Producers will want to consult their veterinarian on the best implants for their operation.
