Healthy cattle have the opportunity to perform to their highest potential
No matter where a producer’s operation falls on the cattle production spectrum – from seedstock producer to feedlot manager and more – the end goal of producing excellent carcass quality is universal. Consumers want and expect products full of flavor, tenderness and marbling. One, sometimes overlooked, factor that impacts carcass quality is herd health.
Carcass Quality Factors
Livestock extension specialists say carcass traits and quality are largely influenced by the genetics of an animal and the feeding decisions of feedlot managers. However, it is also important to recognize that the health decisions made by producers and veterinarians throughout an animal’s life also play an important role.
“A good herd health management program can decrease the number of sick cattle on an operation, and healthy cattle have a better opportunity to perform to their full potential,” Maggie Justice, Ph.D., beef cattle extension specialist and assistant professor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said.
According to researchers, carcass traits such as muscling, marbling and tenderness can all be adversely impacted by health issues. “Stress, disease and poor nutrition throughout life can have a negative impact on feed yard and carcass performance,” Justice explained.
When an animal is sick, it’s body is working overtime to overcome the infection. Additionally, many times an animal will stop eating when it isn’t feeling well. “This distribution and the stress their body is going through trying to fight off disease can impact the pattern of muscle growth and fat deposition. Animals with prolonged sickness or even multiple episodes of sickness can experience even more negative effects on growth and carcass quality,” Justice said.
Health Impacts
The negative impact of disease on carcass traits can occur when an animal is in a feedlot, but the harmful effects can also manifest during any other point in an animal’s life. Research indicates stress, disease or inadequate nutrition early in an animal’s life can result in less-than-optimal carcass traits at harvest.
Whatever producers can do to reduce disease in their herd can ultimately make a positive impact on carcass quality. Disease prevention and quick intervention when an animal gets sick can make a difference. Producers wanting to make the biggest impact may want to develop a health and nutrition plan that starts at birth and ends at the processing plant.
Wellness Plans
There are several strategies involved in a good herd health management plan: a sound nutrition program, a clean environment, and a vaccination schedule. Producers will want to create a plan based on their herd records and their relationship with their herd veterinarian. “Every management practice that a producer and their veterinarian perform on their cattle may have an impact on the wholesomeness and quality of the final beef product,” Justice stated.
One of the programs producers may want to access is the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program. The national program focuses on proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. “BQA programming provides information and training to beef producers on common sense management techniques including animal handling and accepted scientific knowledge on optimum herd health and environmental management,” Justice added. Producers interested in learning more about BQA training should contact their local extension office.
