Application of feeding behaviour to predict morbidity of newly received calves in a commercial feedlot

Abstract

. 2001. Application of feeding behaviour to predict morbidity of newly received calves in a commercial feedlot. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 81: 315-320. The objective of this study was to use feeding behavior of newly received steers (average initial weight 191 kg) to detect morbidity in animals in a commercial feedlot. Two separate 32 d feeding trials were conducted in Wellton, Arizona, in July and November 1996. Radio frequency technology was used to record the total time spent within 50 cm of the feedbunk (animal presence every 5.25 s times 5.25 s) in 3 h intervals from 0600 to 2400 on a daily basis for 103 and 122 male calves in trial 1 and 2, respectively. Statistical procedures based on the cumulative sums (CUSUM) of the 3 h feeding intervals were used to detect morbid animals, compared with detection of animals deemed morbid by experienced pen riders. In trial 1, the CUSUM procedure detected animal morbidity 4.5 d earlier (P < 0.001) than the feedlot personnel. In trial 2, the CUSUM procedure detected animal morbidity 3.7 d earlier (P < 0.001) than feedlot pen riders. Overall accuracy, positive predictive value and sensitivity of the CUSUM prediction method were 87, 91, and 90%, respectively. Combined trial data suggest that feeding behavior during the first 30 d cattle are in a receiving pen, as collected with radio frequency technology and analyzed with CUSUM charts, may be used to detect animal morbidity approximately 4.1 d earlier (P < 0.001) than conventional methods typically employed in commercial feedlots.Key words: Feeding behavior, morbidity, quality control, feedlots Quimby, W. F., Sowell, B. F., Bowman, J. G. P., Branine, M. E., Hubbert, M. E. et Sherwood, H. W. 2001. Identification des jeunes veaux morbides grâce aux habitudes alimentaires dans un élevage commercial. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 81: 315-320. L'étude portait sur les habitudes alimentaires de jeunes bouvillons (191 kg à l'arrivée) et sur la manière dont on pourrait s'en servir pour déceler les animaux morbides dans un élevage commercial. Les auteurs ont effectué deux essais de 32 jours à Wellton (Arizona), en juillet et en novembre 1996. Un dispositif radioélectrique a servi à établir combien de temps les animaux passaient à moins de 50 cm des mangeoires (présence de l'animal pendant 5,25 s toutes les 5,25 s), par période de 3 h, de 6 h à 24 h tous les jours. Le premier essai portait sur 103 veaux mâles et le second sur 122. On a ensuite recouru à des méthodes statistiques reposant sur la somme cumulative (CUSUM) des intervalles de 3 h pour identifier les sujets morbides, comparativement à ceux repérés par des zootechniciens chevronnés. Lors du premier essai, la méthode CUSUM a permis d'identifier la morbidité des animaux 4,5 jours (P < 0,001) plus tôt que le personnel responsable du parc d'engraissement. Au deuxième essai, la même technique a permis l'identification des animaux morbides 3,7 jours (P < 0,001) avant les préposés. La précision globale, la valeur prédictive positive et la sensibilité de la méthode CUSUM s'établissent respectivement ...

A Systematic Review of Bovine Respiratory Disease Diagnosis Focused on Diagnostic Confirmation, Early Detection, and Prediction of Unfavorable Outcomes in Feedlot Cattle

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Detection of mastitis and lameness in dairy cows using wavelet analysis

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Management of Dairy Calves from Birth to Weaning

“…Detecting illness in young calves on the basis of reduced appetite for liquid feed or a dull attitude may not fi nd problems, particularly respiratory disease, at an early stage when treatment is most effective. Appetitebased detection of pneumonia fails to identify as many as 50% of affected calves and, when identifi ed, is typically 4 -5 days after onset (Virtala et al, 1996 ;Quimby et al, 2001 ). Daily screening to fi nd sick calves or those that require further examination can be an effi cient and effective process that, when timed appropriately, is conducted from outside of the pen.…”