The effect of levels of concentrate in feedlot diets on the health status of beef calves

In this two year study we investigated the effect that the level of concentrate in feedlot diet had on the occurrence of health problems in bull calves belonging to two multibreed groups.

In each of the two years, the 168 day feedlot period was divided into two equal periods of 77 days with an intervening 14 day adjustment period. During the first period, the animals in half of the pens within each breed-group received a high concentrate (85% grain) diet (H) while the rest of the pens received a diet (L) of hay ad libitum and half as much concentrate as the bulls on high concentrate. The L diet contained an average of 48% grain. In the second period, diets of bulls in half of the pens within each breed-group were switched from L to H and vice versa. During the feedlot period, the incidence of sickness among bulls was recorded. Disease incidence was higher in the second year compared to the first. In the second year, 49 out of 56 (87.5%) calves on the high concentrate diet required treatment for respiratory infections compared to only four (7.14%) in bulls on the low concentrate diet. The results suggest that a high concentrate diet for animals in feedlots may be more stressful to calves coming directly to the feedlot following weaning compared to a low concentrate diet, thereby acting as an additional predisposing factor to respiratory infections.

     

The effect of early weaning on feedlot performance and measures of stress in beef calves

Forty crossbred steers (Brahman x English) were categorized into two groups: 1) early weaned (EW; n = 20); and 2) normal weaned (NW; n = 20). Calves were 89 and 300 d of age at the time of EW and NW, respectively; SEM = 4.4. Early-weaned calves were kept on-site (University of Florida, Ona), provided supplement (1% of BW), and grazed on annual and perennial pastures until NW. At the time of normal weaning, all calves were loaded on a commercial livestock trailer and transported to the North Carolina State University Research Feedlot in Butner (approximately 1,200 km). Upon arrival, calves were stratified by BW and randomly allotted to four pens per weaning age treatment. Individual calf BW and blood samples were collected at the time of normal weaning, on arrival at the feedlot (d 1; 24 h following weaning), and on d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the receiving period. Individual BW was collected at the start and end of the growing and finishing periods, and feed intake by pen was measured daily. As an estimate of stress during the receiving period, plasma was collected and analyzed for the acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin. Early-weaned calves were lighter (P = 0.03) at normal weaning than NW calves (221 vs. 269 kg; SEM = 10.6). By d 28, EW calves tended (P = 0.12) to be lighter than NW calves (242 vs. 282 kg, respectively). Gain:feed was improved for EW compared with NW calves during both the receiving (G:F = 0.157 vs. 0.081) and growing (0.159 vs. 0.136) periods. There tended (P < 0.10) to be weaning age x day interactions for each acute-phase protein. Ceruloplasmin concentrations increased in NW, but not EW calves, and peaked on d 7 (27.6 and 34.2 mg/100 mL for EW and NW calves, respectively; P < 0.05). Haptoglobin concentrations increased in both groups and were greatest (P < 0.05) in NW calves on d 3 (7.63 vs. 14.86 mg of haptoglobin/hemoglobin complexing/100 mL). No differences in ADG or G:F were detected during the finishing phase; however, overall G:F was improved (P = 0.03) for EW vs. NW calves (0.155 vs. 0.136). Carcass measures, including backfat thickness, USDA yield grade, marbling score, and LM area, did not differ between treatments. These data imply that EW calves, which are maintained onsite before shipping, may be more tolerant to the stressors associated with transportation and feed yard entry. Early weaned calves, managed within the system described in this study, may have improved G:F.     

Evaluation of health status of calves and the impact on feedlot performance: assessment of a retained ownership program for postweaning calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate animal health status at entry to a feedlot against feedlot performance and carcass value. There were 24 herds represented by 417 calves in a retained ownership program. The health status at entry was represented by the levels of serum antibody to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV), bovine viral diarrhea viruses 1 and 2 (BVDV1a, BVDV2), parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3V), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), Mannheimia haemolytica, and Pasteurella multocida, as well as by the presence of virus in nasal swabs and blood leukocytes and the presence of bacteria in nasal swabs. The presence or absence of viruses or bacteria at entry did not predict subsequent illness. However, there were predictors of illness severity (number of treatments) and performance parameters of feedlot performance. Herds with a low morbidity rate had higher levels of BVDV1a antibodies than herds with a high morbidity rate. On both an individual-animal and a herd-average basis, calves with low levels of antibody to BVDV1a and BVDV2 had increased total treatment costs. Also, for individual animals and the herd as a whole, low levels of antibody to P. multocida, BVDV1a, and BVDV2 were related to decreased net value to owner (carcass value minus total feedlot cost). Calves treated twice or more had lower levels of antibody to BVDV1a than those treated once or not at all. Differences in herd morbidity rate and treatment costs were more related to appropriate timing of vaccine (last dose at or near delivery of calf) or lack of a 2nd dose of killed vaccine. This was best illustrated by the levels of antibody to BVDV1a. The results of this study were used to formulate recommendations for the subsequent year.     

The effect of Rumensin on the health status and energy metabolism of feedlot cattle

The effect was studied of sodium monensinate dosed 125 mg pro die and given to feeder cattle on the health condition and some clinico-biochemical parameters in view of the energy metabolism. The experiment was performed under current farming conditions in a pavilion fattening house. The experiment, which lasted 367 days, was conducted with 985 bulls of the Bohemian Spotted breed. Ten animals from the experimental and ten animals from the control pavilion were subjected to detailed clinical and clinico-biochemical examination. The feed ration was based on corn silage with an additive of dried poultry litter and concentrates. The additive was administered in the concentrate mixture, 125 mg per head/day. The health condition of the bulls was good during the whole period of study, and except several cases where neck chain wounds were observed, or small traumatic alterations on the extremities, no health disorders occurred. Some clinico-biochemical parameters of the blood were followed to study the metabolic processes and health condition. pH, pCO2, BE, SB were studied to find out the acid-base relations of the blood. As to the energy metabolism, the levels of glucose, total protein, urea, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids were followed. Among other hematologic parameters studied there were hemoglobin, hematocrit, beta-carotene and the levels of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase and glutamyl-transpeptidase in relation to liver metabolism. During the period of study, increased urea levels were found in the experimental animals, and on the other hand lower levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides in the blood serum. No significant changes in the other studied parameters were observed in the course of the experiment. It can be stated according to the obtained results that sodium monensinate did not influence negatively the studied clinico-biochemical parameters nor the health condition.     

Effect of age at the time of vaccination on antibody titers and feedlot performance in beef calves

OBJECTIVE: To compare antibody responses, feedlot morbidity and mortality rates, feedlot performance, and carcass value for calves vaccinated with 1 of 2 vaccination strategies and for unvaccinated control calves. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 451 beef steers and heifers. PROCEDURES: Calves were vaccinated with a modified-live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV), bovine viral diarrhea virus types 1 (BVDV1) and 2 (BVDV2), parainfluenza type 3 virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine and Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida bacterin-toxoid at approximately 67 and 190 days of age (group 1; n = 151) or at approximately 167 and 190 days of age (group 2; 150) or were not vaccinated (control; 150). Serum antibody titers were measured at approximately 2, 67, 167, 190, and 232 days of age. Morbidity and mortality rates, feedlot performance, and carcass value were recorded for 361 calves shipped to feedlots. RESULTS: Percentages of calves seroconverting to IBRV, BVDV1, and BVDV2 were significantly higher for groups 1 and 2 than for the control group. Mean treatment costs were significantly lower for vaccinated than for control calves, and mean mortality rate was significantly higher for control calves than for group 1 calves. Feedlot performance and carcass value did not vary significantly among groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that vaccination of beef calves with a 5-antigen modified-live virus vaccine at 67 and 190 days of age was as effective in terms of immunologic responses as was vaccination at 167 and 190 days of age.     

The effect of weaning method on coccidial infections in beef calves

Weaning is often cited as a stressful event that can precipitate clinical coccidiosis in cattle. Recently, two-stage weaning methods have been investigated as a means to reduce stress in calves. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of weaning method on fecal oocyst count (FOC) and Eimeria spp. composition. A group of 108 beef calves (190-240 days of age) were allocated to three treatments on day -7: a fenceline weaned group where calves could see and hear their dams, but were physically separated from them by a fence (FL), a noseclipped group where suckling was prevented (NC), and a group left with their dams to be traditionally weaned (TW) by abrupt separation on day 0. On day 0, noseclips were removed from the NC calves and all groups were completely separated from their dams. The steers (n=50) were transported 172 km to another farm, and heifers (n=58) were taken to distant fields on the same farm. Rectal fecal samples were collected from all calves on days -7, 0, and 14. Steers were also sampled on days 7, 28, and 42. A group of steers (n=24) from each of the treatments previously described were fitted with pedometers and intensively observed on days 1-4. The Modified McMaster's test and Wisconsin sugar flotation test were used for quantification and identification of Eimeria spp. oocysts. Clinical coccidiosis was not observed during the study. Fecal oocyst counts did not differ between treatment groups on any sampling day. Differences between steer and heifer FOC were not detected. Treatment had no effect on species composition, but time effects were detected in the steers. The mean percentage of E. bovis was lower (P<0.05) on days 28 and 42 than all other sampling days. The decrease in the percentage of E. bovis was accompanied by an increase (P<0.05) in the percentage of E. canadensis on days 28 and 42. Behavioral observation showed that TW steers exhibited higher levels of stress related behavior (P<0.05) following complete separation, although this was not reflected in FOC.     

The effect of early calfhood health status on survivorship and age at first calving.

Survival to maturity and age at first calving were studied in heifer calves from 34 randomly selected Holstein dairy farms in southwestern Ontario. Calves were divided into cohorts on the basis of treatment for pneumonia, scours, other diseases, or no treatments, during the first 90 days of life. An effect of pneumonia and scours together, over and above the effects of each disease alone, was assessed by means on an interaction term in the statistical analyses. Heifers which had been treated for pneumonia during the first three months of life were 2.5 times more likely to die after 90 days of age than heifers which had not been treated for pneumonia, after controlling for the farm effect. Heifers with a calfhood history of being treated for scours were 2.5 times more likely to be sold for dairy purposes than other calves. Heifers which had been treated for scours were 2.9 times more likely to calve after 900 days of age than other heifers, after controlling for the farm effect.     

Prophylactic tilmicosin medication of feedlot calves at arrival

The parenteral administration of the antibiotic tilmicosin given on arrival at a feedlot was evaluated in a group of 304 steer calves. These calves were allotted to 24 pens so that there were 12 replicates of both the control and medicated groups. The treatment rate was reduced significantly during the first five days (p < 0.05) and during the first month (p < 0.01) of the feeding period in the medicated group. The average days from arrival until first treatment for respiratory disease was increased to 21 days in the medicated group compared to 9 days (p < 0.01) for the controls. The medicated group had improved average daily gain (p < 0.01) and feed efficiency (p < 0.01) over the trial period when compared to the nonmedicated animals.     

Reproductive performance of Gyr cows: the effect of weaning age of calves and postpartum energy intake

Two nutritional levels following parturition and five weaning ages for the calf were evaluated to study their effect of reproduction in Gyr cows in the savannas of West Central Brazil (Campos Cerrados). Early weaning of calves reduced postpartum weight losses and shortened the postpartum interval to conception. Energy level did not affect cow weight at weaning or conception, the number of days from parturition to first estrus or the number of matings/conception; however, the postpartum period to conception was reduced (116 vs 160 d; P less than .05) for cows on the higher energy diet. Weaning age significantly affected postpartum weight loss in cows. Six months after calving, cows that nursed calves for 1 mo were 89 kg heavier than those that nursed calves for 6 mo (384 vs 295 kg; P less than .05). Cows that were nursed for 1 mo returned to estrus at an average of 40 d postpartum, which was 23 d earlier (P less than .05) than the average of the other groups nursed for longer periods of time. There was no significant difference in the postpartum period to conception among cows that had their calves weaned at 1 mo, 3 mo and cows which were nursed twice daily beginning 30 d after parturition (57, 94 and 97 d, respectively), but was less (P less than .05) for cows nursed for 5 or 6 mo (212 and 231 d, respectively). The results show that Gyr cattle are genetically capable of responding reproductively to improve nutrition and reduced lactation stress achieved through early weaning or controlled nursing.     

Neuroleptic treatment of red deer calves at weaning

AIMS: To determine whether neuroleptic drugs could be useful in reducing weaning stress in red deer, two groups of 30 calves were studied following separation from their dams for weaning at 3-4 months of age. METHODS: Within each group, on the day of separation (Day 0), 15 calves were given 0.2 mg/kg haloperidol (a short-acting neuroleptic) and 1 mg/kg perphenazine enanthate (a long-acting neuroleptic) by intramuscular injection (the treated calves) and 15 calves were given a 3 ml intramuscular injection of saline (the control calves). The calves were weighed on Days 0, 14 and 28 and the behaviour of eight individuals (four treated and four control calves) within each group was observed for 2 hours on Days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 15. RESULTS: No significant effect of the treatment on weight gain to Days 14 or 28 was observed (mean increases for treated and control calves to Day 14 were 3.4 kg and 3.5 kg, respectively (s.e.d. 0.26 kg), and 6.0 kg for both treatments to Day 28 (s.e.d. 0.36)). Behavioural variables (standing, grazing, moving, fenceline pacing, proximity to other deer and proximity to the fenceline) did not differ significantly between treatments, but in one group sitting in sternal recumbency was lower in treated calves compared with control calves (p < 0.05). Disturbed behaviour declined over the observation days with fenceline pacing, being within 2 m of a fence, and being within 1 m of another deer decreasing, and sitting and grazing both increasing (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It was concluded that we could not provide evidence from the present study that treatment with haloperidol and perphenazine enanthate at these dose rates was beneficial in reducing weaning stress in red deer calves.     

Effects of early weaning and breed on calf performance and carcass and meat quality in autumn-born bull calves

This study assessed the effects of age at weaning (early weaning at 90 d or traditional weaning at 150 d) and breed (Parda de Montaña or Pirenaica) on calf performance and carcass and meat quality in autumn-calving beef cattle. At calving, 14 Parda de Montaña and 14 Pirenaica cow–calf pairs were randomly assigned to one of two weaning treatments, and kept indoors during lactation. After weaning, calves were fed an intensive diet until slaughter at 450 kg. The interaction between age at weaning and breed was not significant for any of the parameters studied. From 90 d to 150 d, early weaned calves had greater ADG (P = 0.001) and IGF-I concentrations (P = 0.001) than traditionally weaned calves, but their leptin concentrations were similar (P = 0.15). During the finishing phase, performance, daily feed intake, and efficiency did not differ between treatments. Early weaning did not affect age at slaughter, carcass weight, fatness score, fat colour, and meat quality, but improved carcass conformation (P = 0.04). Early weaned calves had greater total DMI (P = 0.002) with greater concomitant feed costs (P = 0.001) and yielded a slightly greater income than traditionally weaned calves; therefore, economic margins did not differ. Parda de Montaña calves tended to have greater ADG from birth to 90 d and were heavier at 90 d (P = 0.01) than were Pirenaica calves. From 90 d to 150 d, performance and IGF-I and leptin concentrations did not differ between breeds; thus, Parda de Montaña calves remained heavier at 150 d. During the finishing phase, at times, weight gains of Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica calves differed, but the overall performance, feed intake, and efficiency of the two breeds were similar. Pirenaica calves had heavier carcasses (P = 0.04) with greater conformation scores (P = 0.04) than Parda de Montaña calves; thus, income per carcass was greater for the former than the latter (P = 0.007). As feed costs were similar for both breeds, the economic margin of Pirenaica calves was greater than that of Parda de Montaña calves (P = 0.01). In conclusion, in both breeds weaning strategies had similar effects on performance and carcass and meat quality; however, from an economic point of view, and considering only the costs associated with the calf, raising Pirenaica calves would be more profitable, at either age at weaning.     

An evaluation of the metaphylactic effect of ceftiofur crystalline free Acid in feedlot calves

The relative effect of metaphylactic ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) versus metaphylactic tilmicosin was evaluated in beef calves under commercial feedlot conditions in Nebraska. At feedlot arrival, 11,605 animals at ultrahigh risk of developing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) were allocated to one of three experimental groups: CCFA-3 (6.6 mg/kg SC), CCFA-7 (6.6 mg/kg), or TILM-3 (tilmicosin, 10 mg/kg SC). Animals were eligible for subsequent BRD treatment 3 (CCFA-3 and TILM-3 groups) or 7 (CCFA-7 group) days later. Compared with the TILM-3 group, overall chronicity, overall mortality, BRD mortality, and metabolic mortality rates were significantly (P < .05) lower in the CCFA-3 and CCFA-7 groups; average daily gain was significantly (P < .05) higher in the CCFA-3 group; the proportion of quality grade No Roll carcasses was significantly (P < .05) lower in the CCFA-3 and CCFA-7 groups; and there were per-animal advantages of 22.05 dollars and 18.98 dollars in the CCFA-3 and CCFA-7 groups, respectively. In beef calves at ultrahigh risk of developing BRD, it is more cost effective to administer metaphylactic CCFA than tilmicosin at feedlot arrival.     

The effect of treatment duration on weaning weights in a cow-calf herd with a protracted severe outbreak of diarrhea in calves

The objective of this study was to describe a multiyear outbreak of calf diarrhea in an Alberta cow-calf herd and the impact of severe diarrhea on calf productivity. A retrospective analysis was performed through the use of detailed individual animal records and laboratory reports. The most significant laboratory finding was Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from the fecal samples of 2 ill members of the treatment crew and from 3 calves on postmortem examination. In 2002, at the peak of the outbreak, 90.3% (325/360) of the calves required treatment and 8.9% (32/360) of the calves died. In 2003, the severity of the problem had declined with only 20.9% (47/225) of the calves requiring treatment and 3.1% (7/225) of the calves dying. In both years, the weaning weights of treated calves were significantly reduced compared with those of nontreated calves. For calves weaned in 2002, after adjusting for the effect of calf sex, calves treated more than 6 times had 200-day adjusted weaning weights that were 15.2 kg (95% CI; 5.8 to 24.4 kg) lighter than of those calves treated only once or not at all (P = 0.0015, n = 321). For calves weaned in 2003, calves were 5.5 kg (95% CI; 0.23 to 10.8, P = 0.04, n = 207) lighter per treatment day with electrolytes, when calf sex and dam age were controlled for. Assuming that increased days of treatment or number of treatments is representative of disease severity, long-term calf performance is negatively affected by severe calfhood disease. The estimated lost revenue and treatment expenses, excluding the cost of labor, cow feed, and maintenance, was $22 800 in 2002 and $1589 in 2003.     

Conglutinin and immunoconglutinin titers in stressed calves in a feedlot

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether increased conglutinin titers are evident in stressed calves that do not develop respiratory tract disease in feedlots, compared with respiratory tract disease, and to determine the increase in immunoconglutinin titers. ANIMALS: 101 mixed-breed beef calves. PROCEDURE: Calves were processed at 4 farms of origin and allowed to remain with their dams for another 100 days. Calves from each farm were brought to a centrally located order-buyer barn. In a feedlot, 101 calves were assigned to pens and observed daily for clinical signs of acute respiratory tract disease. When sick calves were detected, they were treated with antibiotics and isolated in a pen for 4 days. Conglutinin and immunoconglutinin titers were determined for all calves. RESULTS: During the 28-day study, 73 calves developed respiratory tract disease, whereas 28 calves remained healthy. Mean conglutinin titers differed significantly among calves from the 4 farms. Significant differences were not detected in conglutinin titers among calves on the basis of sex, morbidity, or vaccination status against Mannheimia haemolytica at each farm, the order-buyer barn, or the feedlot on days 8, 15, and 28 after arrival. Immunoconglutinin titers in calves differed significantly among farms and morbidity status. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mean conglutinin titers in calves do not appear to be associated with the incidence of acute respiratory tract disease; however, increased immunoconglutinin titers appear to be associated with recovery of stressed calves from respiratory tract disease during the first 15 days after arrival in a feedlot.     

Effect of early weaning on performance, carcass and meat quality of spring-born bull calves raised in dry mountain areas

Sixteen bull calves were born in the Spanish Central Pyrenees in spring. They were either early (EW, 90 days of age) or normal weaned (NW, 180 days of age). At day 90, EW calves were placed on an intensive diet while NW calves were turned out with their dams to high mountain pastures. After summer, at day 180, NW calves were weaned and placed with EW calves on a common finishing diet until slaughter at the fixed age of 1 year. From birth to early weaning date, no performance differences appeared. However, EW calves gained faster (1.549 kg/day) than their unweaned counterparts (0.783 kg/day) from early to normal weaning date (P < 0.001). During the finishing period, NW calves showed compensatory growth, with a 44% higher ADG than EW calves (P < 0.001), with a similar feed intake and a better feed conversion ratio. Early weaned calves had a longer fattening phase than NW calves (264 vs. 158 days, respectively; P < 0.001) and thus total feed intake and feed costs were greater. When slaughtered at 1 year of age, EW and NW calves attained similar weight (489 vs. 510 kg, respectively; P > 0.05), but dressing percentage was higher for EW calves (56.9%) than for NW calves (55.2%) (P < 0.01), which led EW calves to have heavier carcasses, without differences in fat score or conformation. The different growth paths, the result of weaning management, did not affect meat tenderness, chemical composition and fatty acid profile, but affected meat lightness, with higher values for compensating calves (NW) than calves in continuous growth (EW). In conclusion, advancing weaning age modified calf performance without affecting substantially carcass characteristics, except for an improvement in dressing percentage, or meat quality.     

Comparison of a multivalent viral vaccine program versus a univalent viral vaccine program on animal health,feedlot performance,and carcass characteristics of feedlot calves

A field study was conducted under commercial feedlot conditions at 2 sites in western Canada to determine the relative effects of a univalent viral vaccine (MLV 1) program versus a multivalent viral vaccine (MLV 4) program on animal health; feedlot performance; and carcass characteristic variables of fall-placed, auction market derived, feedlot calves. Five thousand one hundred and sixty-three calves were processed and randomly allocated to 1 of 2 experimental groups as follows: MLV 1, which received a modified live infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus vaccine upon arrival at the feedlot and again at approximately 70 days on feed (DOF); or MLV 4, which received a modified live IBR virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine upon arrival at the feedlot and again at approximately 70 DOF. A total of 20 pens (10 pens at the site located near High River, Alberta and 10 pens at the site located near Vegreville, Alberta) were allocated to the study. On both a live and carcass weight basis, final weight, weight gain, and average daily gain (ADG) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in the MLV 4 group as compared with the MLV 1 group. However, there were no significant (P > or = 0.05) differences in DOF, daily dry matter intake, dry matter intake to gain ratio (DM:G) live, or DM:G carcass between the experimental groups. In addition, there were no significant (P > or = 0.05) differences between the experimental groups in any of the carcass characteristic variables measured. The initial undifferentiated fever (UF) treatment rate was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the MLV 4 group as compared with the MLV 1 group. There were no significant (P > or = 0.05) differences in the other measures of health between the experimental groups. In the economic analysis, there was a net advantage of $0.74 CDN per animal in the MLV 4 group as compared with the MLV 1 group due to lower initial UF treatment and improved ADG, even though the cost of the vaccine program was higher in the MLV 4 group.     

The effect of a natural feed additive (Macleaya cordata), containing sanguinarine,on the performance and health status of weaning pigs

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Sangrovit^®, a plant‐derived feed additive, given throughout the nursery stage via feed at 15 ppm and 50 ppm, on the health status and performance of weaners against negative controls. In a 900‐sow farrow‐to‐finish farm, a total of 864 piglets were divided into three groups: (i) negative controls (NC); (ii) Sang 15: same feed as NCs, plus 15 g Sangrovit^® /t of feed; (iii) Sang 50: same feed as NCs plus 50 g Sangrovit^® /t of feed. The results indicated that administration of 50 ppm^‐Sangrovit^® had the most beneficial effects on growth performance in weaning pigs. Specifically there was increase of body weight and average daily gain, as well as reduction of feed conversion ratio. Blood analysis from the Sang groups and especially the Sang 50 group revealed low values of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A.     

哺乳犊牛腹泻的防治

犊牛腹泻是哺乳期犊牛常见多发病之一，死亡率较高，多发生于出生后前三周，一般为胃肠消化功能紊乱。特征是消化不良和拉稀，顽固性腹泻可使犊牛衰竭而亡。腹泻分为营养性腹泻或饲养管理不当而使犊牛更易患病原性腹泻，其病原主要是大肠杆菌。