The objective of this study was to test the effects of lameness on average daily gain (ADG) of feedlot steers. We evaluated two feedlot health data sets: 1) 14,798 steers from a 14-year period (1993 to 2006) at the Meat Animal Research Center (USDA MARC) near Clay Center, Neb.; and 2) 16,766 steers from an 8-year period (2002 to 2009) at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead, Neb. The ADG for USDA MARC steers with lameness late in the feeding period (≥ 60 days) was 0.04 lb./day less than steers without lameness. The ADG for ARDC steers with lameness later in the experimental trial period (≥ 60 days) was 0.2 lb./day less than steers without lameness. Lameness in steers had a significant and meaningful negative effect on ADG later in the feeding period

Erickson, Galen E.

Griffin, Dicky D.

Hanford, Kathryn J

Hostetler, Douglas E., Hostetler

Klopfenstein, Terry

Kruse, Giselle T.

Nuttelman, Brandon L

Randle, Richard R.

Smith, David R

Tibbetts, Gary K.

English

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department 
2013 
The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers 
Giselle T. Kruse 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Richard R. Randle 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, rrandle2@unl.edu 
Douglas E. Hostetler Hostetler 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Gary K. Tibbetts 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Dicky D. Griffin 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, dgriffin2@unl.edu 
See next page for additional authors 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr 
 Part of the Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, and the 
Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons 
Kruse, Giselle T.; Randle, Richard R.; Hostetler, Douglas E. Hostetler; Tibbetts, Gary K.; Griffin, Dicky D.; 
Hanford, Kathryn J.; Klopfenstein, Terry; Erickson, Galen E.; Nuttelman, Brandon L.; and Smith, David R., 
"The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers" (2013). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 
731. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/731 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle 
Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
Authors 
Giselle T. Kruse, Richard R. Randle, Douglas E. Hostetler Hostetler, Gary K. Tibbetts, Dicky D. Griffin, 
Kathryn J. Hanford, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, and David R. Smith 
This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/
animalscinbcr/731 
Page 68 — 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report  © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved.
The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers
Giselle T. Kruse
Richard R. Randle
Douglas E. Hostetler
Gary K. Tibbetts
Dee D. Griffin
Kathryn J. Hanford
Terry J. Klopfenstein
Galen E. Erickson
Brandon L. Nuttelman
David R. Smith1
Summary
The objective of this study was to test 
the effects of lameness on average daily 
gain (ADG) of feedlot steers. We evaluat-
ed two feedlot health data sets: 1) 14,798 
steers from a 14-year period (1993 to 
2006) at the Meat Animal Research Cen-
ter (USDA MARC) near Clay Center, 
Neb.; and 2) 16,766 steers from an 8-year 
period (2002 to 2009) at the University of 
Nebraska Agricultural Research and De-
velopment Center (ARDC) near Mead, 
Neb. The ADG for USDA MARC steers 
with lameness late in the feeding period 
(≥ 60 days) was 0.04 lb/day less than 
steers without lameness. The ADG for 
ARDC steers with lameness later in the 
experimental trial period (≥ 60 days) was 
0.2 lb/day less than steers without lame-
ness. Lameness in steers had a significant 
and meaningful negative effect on ADG 
later in the feeding period.
Introduction
Lameness is important to feedlot 
producers because there is a cost 
associated with foot and leg lameness. 
A lame animal has been estimated to 
be worth 53% of the original price of 
animals without lameness (Feedlot 
Lameness (G1159), 1993). The decrease 
in value includes losses from labor 
and medication for the animal and 
reduced performance. Lame cattle may 
be reluctant to eat or approach the feed 
bunk, resulting in reduced weight gain. 
Previous work has documented lame 
cattle have 0.04 lb less ADG than cattle 
without lameness (Professional Animal 
Scientist, 2006, 22:450-453). Lameness 
is also detrimental to the health and 
well-being of the animal because the 
injuries can be painful. 
Some of the more common causes 
of lameness in feedlot cattle are joint 
infection, bruising and abrasions 
of the sole, toe abscesses, laminitis, 
injuries , and footrot. Footrot is one 
of the most commonly diagnosed 
diseases in the feedlot but is often 
misdiagnosed. Footrot typically 
accounts for 10% of lameness (1993, 
NebGuide). Because clinical signs of 
foot and leg lameness appear similar, 
it is common for the cause of cattle 
lameness to be misclassified. The 
objective of the study was to test the 
effect of undifferentiated lameness on 
ADG of feedlot steers. 
Procedure
USDA MARC Data Set
We evaluated health data of 14,852 
steers collected over a 14-year period 
(1993-2006) at USDA MARC. All the 
calves were born in USDA MARC 
pastures before entering the feedlot as 
calf-feds and all the animals were vac-
cinated based on USDA MARC pro-
tocol. Health data collected over the 
14-year period for each individual an-
imal from birth to slaughter included 
birth date, weaning date, days on feed 
(DOF), end date, weaning BW, final 
BW, diagnosis, treatment, and treat-
ment date. Health records were cat-
egorized by disease system, and only 
the first treatment for a given disease 
was used in the analysis. To prevent 
misclassification bias, all the lameness 
diagnoses, for example, foot rot, lami-
nitis, or toe abscess, were classified 
simply as lameness. 
Variables explaining ADG were 
tested in a multivariable general linear 
mixed model with year as a random 
effect using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 
(SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, N.C.). Signifi-
cance was at alpha less than or equal 
to 0.05.
Lameness in the feedlot period was 
categorized into three periods: disease 
occurring less than 60 DOF (< 60 
days), disease occurring more than or 
equal to 60 DOF (≥ 60 days) or having 
no disease. Sixty days was chosen to 
include the beginning of the growing 
period when the animals are intro-
duced into the feedlot and then when 
the animals have been in the feedlot for 
greater than 60 days. The DOF variable 
was also categorized into three periods: 
less than 200 DOF, 201-300 DOF, and 
greater than 301 DOF. The main out-
come measure of ADG was calculated 
by taking the final BW and subtracting 
the weaning BW then dividing by the 
number of days of feed. 
ARDC Data Set 
Steers are received at ARDC in the 
fall. There were a total of 16,766 steers 
in different experiments conducted 
over an eight-year period (2002-2009). 
 Health records were collected for 
each individual steer when they started 
on finishing trials as calf-feds (> 160 
DOF), summer yearlings (130-160 
DOF), and fall yearlings (< 130 DOF). 
Health data included arrival date, 
experiment start date, market date, 
DOF in the experiment, arrival BW, 
start BW for the experiment, final BW, 
diagnosis, treatment, treatment date, 
pen, experiment, and whether or not 
the steer was a calf-fed or back-ground-
ed as a spring or fall yearling. Health 
records were categorized by disease 
system and only the first treatment 
date was used in the analysis. 
Variables explaining ADG were 
tested in a multivariable general linear 
mixed model with pen nested within 
experiment with a random inter-
cept as a random effect using PROC 
GLIMMIX in SAS. Significance was 
set at alpha less than or equal to 0.05. 
Diseases were categorized into three 
periods: disease occurring less than 
60 days on experimental trial (< 60), 
disease occurring more than or equal 
to 60 days on experimental trial  
(≥ 60) or having no disease. ADG for 
this group of animals was calculated 
by using the HCW divided by the 
dressing percent then minus the start 
BW for experimental trial divided by 
the days on experimental trial.
Results
USDA MARC Data Set
Steers born from February to May 
were weaned between August and 
October . The average age at weaning 
was 185 days (88 to 280 days). Steers 
averaged 273.4 DOF (35 to 419 days). 
© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report  — Page 69 
The average weaning and final BWs 
were 486.7 lb and 1,250.9 lb, respec-
tively and ADG was 2.9 lb per day. The 
incidence density for lameness over 
the 14-year period was 25.5 cases per 
100,000 animal days. The incidence 
rate for lameness over the 14-year 
period was 6.7 per 100 animals. 
Variables significantly explain-
ing ADG were lameness, DOF, the 
number of days between last weight 
and leaving the feedlot, and weaning 
weight. Other morbidity events also 
affected ADG but these events did not 
have a large impact on the estimates 
of the effect of lameness. 
After adjusting for confounders, 
the ADG for steers with lameness pri-
or to 60 days and 60 days or later was 
0.02 lb and 0.04 lb/day less than steers 
without lameness, respectively (Figure 
1). Steers becoming lame later in the 
feeding period performed worse than 
steers that did not become lame. 
ARDC Data Set 
Steers averaged 143 days on experi-
mental trial (80 to 229 days). The av-
erage receiving BW, experiment start 
BW and final BW were 544.1 lb, 772.0 
lb, and 1,317.9 lb, respectively and 
ADG was 3.9 lb/day. The incidence 
density for lameness over the eight-
year period was 20.4 cases per 100,000 
animal days. The incidence rate for 
lameness over the eight-year period 
was 2.8 per 100 animals. 
Variables significantly explaining 
ADG were lameness, days on ex-
perimental trial, the experiment start 
weight, and year. After adjusting for 
the other variables in the model, the 
ADG for steers with lameness 60 days 
or later was 0.22 lb/d less than steers 
without lameness (Figure 2). There 
was not a significant difference be-
tween having no disease and becom-
ing lame in the first 60 days. 
There are differences in the data 
between the two research facilities. 
The ARDC data set used data collected 
while steers were on feedlot experi-
ments, so health and performance over 
the entire growing period was not eval-
uated. The USDA MARC data used in-
formation for calf-feds so post-weaning 
growth is included in the feedlot phase. 
No information on experiment or pens 
was available in USDA MARC data. 
The steers in the UNL ARDC data also 
were on study for fewer days so there 
may not have been time for the steers 
to recover from lameness compared to 
the larger range of DOF for the USDA 
MARC data set. This could result in 
a larger difference between the ADG 
for the lame steers. Both sets included 
pens so individual ADG was known 
for each animal that became lame, but 
DMI is unknown for individuals due 
to pen feeding. Therefore, feed efficien-
cy (G:F) cannot be evaluated to deter-
mine whether lameness decreases ADG 
due to lower DMI or due to poorer feed 
efficiency.
Lameness had a significant nega-
tive impact on ADG in both feedlots. 
Lameness had a greater effect on ADG 
if it occurred later in the feeding period 
and this was probably because steers 
did not have as much time to recover. 
1Giselle T. Kruse, former graduate student; 
Richard R. Randle, associate professor; Douglas 
E. Hostetler, associate professor; David R. Smith, 
professor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln 
(UNL) School of Veterinary Medicine and 
Biomedical Science, Lincoln, Neb.; Kathryn J. 
Hanford, UNL Department of Statistics; Terry 
J. Klopfenstein, professor; Galen E. Erickson, 
professor; Brandon L. Nuttelman, graduate 
student, UNL Department of Animal Science; 
Dee D. Griffin, professor, UNL Great Plains 
Veterinary Education Center; Gary K. Tibbetts, 
account manager, Zinpro Corporation, Eden 
Prairie, Minn.
a4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
A
D
G
, l
b
 No disease Prior to 60 days  60 days or later
  on experiment on experiment
Figure 2.  The estimates of ADG for lameness in the University of Nebraska’s Agricultural Research 
and Development Center. Steers had a significant difference between lengths of days on feed. 
Error bars represent the standard error on the mean. Variables with different superscripts 
are statistically different (P ≤ 0.05). 
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
A
D
G
, l
b
 No Disease Prior to 60 days on feed 60 days or later on feed
Figure 1.  The estimates of ADG for lameness in the Meat Animal Research Center. Steers had a 
significant difference between lengths of days on feed. Error bars represent the standard 
error on the mean. Variables with different superscripts are statistically different 
(P ≤ 0.05).
a ab b
a
b


The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department 2013 The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers Giselle T. Kruse University of Nebraska-Lincoln Richard R. Randle University of Nebraska-Lincoln, rrandle2@unl.edu Douglas E. Hostetler Hostetler University of Nebraska-Lincoln Gary K. Tibbetts University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dicky D. Griffin University of Nebraska-Lincoln, dgriffin2@unl.edu See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr  Part of the Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, and the Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons Kruse, Giselle T.; Randle, Richard R.; Hostetler, Douglas E. Hostetler; Tibbetts, Gary K.; Griffin, Dicky D.; Hanford, Kathryn J.; Klopfenstein, Terry; Erickson, Galen E.; Nuttelman, Brandon L.; and Smith, David R., "The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers" (2013). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 731. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/731 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Authors Giselle T. Kruse, Richard R. Randle, Douglas E. Hostetler Hostetler, Gary K. Tibbetts, Dicky D. Griffin, Kathryn J. Hanford, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson, Brandon L. Nuttelman, and David R. Smith This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/731 Page 68 — 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report  © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved.The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot SteersGiselle T. KruseRichard R. RandleDouglas E. HostetlerGary K. TibbettsDee D. GriffinKathryn J. HanfordTerry J. KlopfensteinGalen E. EricksonBrandon L. NuttelmanDavid R. Smith1SummaryThe objective of this study was to test the effects of lameness on average daily gain (ADG) of feedlot steers. We evaluat-ed two feedlot health data sets: 1) 14,798 steers from a 14-year period (1993 to 2006) at the Meat Animal Research Cen-ter (USDA MARC) near Clay Center, Neb.; and 2) 16,766 steers from an 8-year period (2002 to 2009) at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and De-velopment Center (ARDC) near Mead, Neb. The ADG for USDA MARC steers with lameness late in the feeding period (≥ 60 days) was 0.04 lb/day less than steers without lameness. The ADG for ARDC steers with lameness later in the experimental trial period (≥ 60 days) was 0.2 lb/day less than steers without lame-ness. Lameness in steers had a significant and meaningful negative effect on ADG later in the feeding period.IntroductionLameness is important to feedlot producers because there is a cost associated with foot and leg lameness. A lame animal has been estimated to be worth 53% of the original price of animals without lameness (Feedlot Lameness (G1159), 1993). The decrease in value includes losses from labor and medication for the animal and reduced performance. Lame cattle may be reluctant to eat or approach the feed bunk, resulting in reduced weight gain. Previous work has documented lame cattle have 0.04 lb less ADG than cattle without lameness (Professional Animal Scientist, 2006, 22:450-453). Lameness is also detrimental to the health and well-being of the animal because the injuries can be painful. Some of the more common causes of lameness in feedlot cattle are joint infection, bruising and abrasions of the sole, toe abscesses, laminitis, injuries , and footrot. Footrot is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in the feedlot but is often misdiagnosed. Footrot typically accounts for 10% of lameness (1993, NebGuide). Because clinical signs of foot and leg lameness appear similar, it is common for the cause of cattle lameness to be misclassified. The objective of the study was to test the effect of undifferentiated lameness on ADG of feedlot steers. ProcedureUSDA MARC Data SetWe evaluated health data of 14,852 steers collected over a 14-year period (1993-2006) at USDA MARC. All the calves were born in USDA MARC pastures before entering the feedlot as calf-feds and all the animals were vac-cinated based on USDA MARC pro-tocol. Health data collected over the 14-year period for each individual an-imal from birth to slaughter included birth date, weaning date, days on feed (DOF), end date, weaning BW, final BW, diagnosis, treatment, and treat-ment date. Health records were cat-egorized by disease system, and only the first treatment for a given disease was used in the analysis. To prevent misclassification bias, all the lameness diagnoses, for example, foot rot, lami-nitis, or toe abscess, were classified simply as lameness. Variables explaining ADG were tested in a multivariable general linear mixed model with year as a random effect using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, N.C.). Signifi-cance was at alpha less than or equal to 0.05.Lameness in the feedlot period was categorized into three periods: disease occurring less than 60 DOF (< 60 days), disease occurring more than or equal to 60 DOF (≥ 60 days) or having no disease. Sixty days was chosen to include the beginning of the growing period when the animals are intro-duced into the feedlot and then when the animals have been in the feedlot for greater than 60 days. The DOF variable was also categorized into three periods: less than 200 DOF, 201-300 DOF, and greater than 301 DOF. The main out-come measure of ADG was calculated by taking the final BW and subtracting the weaning BW then dividing by the number of days of feed. ARDC Data Set Steers are received at ARDC in the fall. There were a total of 16,766 steers in different experiments conducted over an eight-year period (2002-2009).  Health records were collected for each individual steer when they started on finishing trials as calf-feds (> 160 DOF), summer yearlings (130-160 DOF), and fall yearlings (< 130 DOF). Health data included arrival date, experiment start date, market date, DOF in the experiment, arrival BW, start BW for the experiment, final BW, diagnosis, treatment, treatment date, pen, experiment, and whether or not the steer was a calf-fed or back-ground-ed as a spring or fall yearling. Health records were categorized by disease system and only the first treatment date was used in the analysis. Variables explaining ADG were tested in a multivariable general linear mixed model with pen nested within experiment with a random inter-cept as a random effect using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS. Significance was set at alpha less than or equal to 0.05. Diseases were categorized into three periods: disease occurring less than 60 days on experimental trial (< 60), disease occurring more than or equal to 60 days on experimental trial  (≥ 60) or having no disease. ADG for this group of animals was calculated by using the HCW divided by the dressing percent then minus the start BW for experimental trial divided by the days on experimental trial.ResultsUSDA MARC Data SetSteers born from February to May were weaned between August and October . The average age at weaning was 185 days (88 to 280 days). Steers averaged 273.4 DOF (35 to 419 days). © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report  — Page 69 The average weaning and final BWs were 486.7 lb and 1,250.9 lb, respec-tively and ADG was 2.9 lb per day. The incidence density for lameness over the 14-year period was 25.5 cases per 100,000 animal days. The incidence rate for lameness over the 14-year period was 6.7 per 100 animals. Variables significantly explain-ing ADG were lameness, DOF, the number of days between last weight and leaving the feedlot, and weaning weight. Other morbidity events also affected ADG but these events did not have a large impact on the estimates of the effect of lameness. After adjusting for confounders, the ADG for steers with lameness pri-or to 60 days and 60 days or later was 0.02 lb and 0.04 lb/day less than steers without lameness, respectively (Figure 1). Steers becoming lame later in the feeding period performed worse than steers that did not become lame. ARDC Data Set Steers averaged 143 days on experi-mental trial (80 to 229 days). The av-erage receiving BW, experiment start BW and final BW were 544.1 lb, 772.0 lb, and 1,317.9 lb, respectively and ADG was 3.9 lb/day. The incidence density for lameness over the eight-year period was 20.4 cases per 100,000 animal days. The incidence rate for lameness over the eight-year period was 2.8 per 100 animals. Variables significantly explaining ADG were lameness, days on ex-perimental trial, the experiment start weight, and year. After adjusting for the other variables in the model, the ADG for steers with lameness 60 days or later was 0.22 lb/d less than steers without lameness (Figure 2). There was not a significant difference be-tween having no disease and becom-ing lame in the first 60 days. There are differences in the data between the two research facilities. The ARDC data set used data collected while steers were on feedlot experi-ments, so health and performance over the entire growing period was not eval-uated. The USDA MARC data used in-formation for calf-feds so post-weaning growth is included in the feedlot phase. No information on experiment or pens was available in USDA MARC data. The steers in the UNL ARDC data also were on study for fewer days so there may not have been time for the steers to recover from lameness compared to the larger range of DOF for the USDA MARC data set. This could result in a larger difference between the ADG for the lame steers. Both sets included pens so individual ADG was known for each animal that became lame, but DMI is unknown for individuals due to pen feeding. Therefore, feed efficien-cy (G:F) cannot be evaluated to deter-mine whether lameness decreases ADG due to lower DMI or due to poorer feed efficiency.Lameness had a significant nega-tive impact on ADG in both feedlots. Lameness had a greater effect on ADG if it occurred later in the feeding period and this was probably because steers did not have as much time to recover. 1Giselle T. Kruse, former graduate student; Richard R. Randle, associate professor; Douglas E. Hostetler, associate professor; David R. Smith, professor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Lincoln, Neb.; Kathryn J. Hanford, UNL Department of Statistics; Terry J. Klopfenstein, professor; Galen E. Erickson, professor; Brandon L. Nuttelman, graduate student, UNL Department of Animal Science; Dee D. Griffin, professor, UNL Great Plains Veterinary Education Center; Gary K. Tibbetts, account manager, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, Minn.a43.532.521.510.50ADG, lb No disease Prior to 60 days  60 days or later  on experiment on experimentFigure 2.  The estimates of ADG for lameness in the University of Nebraska’s Agricultural Research and Development Center. Steers had a significant difference between lengths of days on feed. Error bars represent the standard error on the mean. Variables with different superscripts are statistically different (P ≤ 0.05). 43.532.521.510.50ADG, lb No Disease Prior to 60 days on feed 60 days or later on feedFigure 1.  The estimates of ADG for lameness in the Meat Animal Research Center. Steers had a significant difference between lengths of days on feed. Error bars represent the standard error on the mean. Variables with different superscripts are statistically different (P ≤ 0.05).a ab bab

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1747&amp;context=animalscinbcr

The Effect of Lameness on Average Daily Gain in Feedlot Steers

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

UNL | Libraries

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska