Date of Award:

5-2021

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Kara J. Thornton-Kurth

Committee

Kara J. Thornton-Kurth

Committee

Kerry A. Rood

Committee

Matthew Garcia

Committee

Bart Tarbet

Abstract

Morbidity in feedlot cattle due to disease is a common economical loss for feedlot producers. Utah is not typically considered a ‘feedlot state’, but there are several producers in the southern part of the state that specialize in receiving at-risk cattle. These cattle are at-risk because they are coming from areas known to be mineral deficient. Areas such as the western US, are known to be deficient in several trace minerals important in immune response. Therefore, it is critical that producers have an adequate plan to decrease the negative effects that this has on economic viability of their beef operations, especially for those feedlots specializing in receiving at-risk cattle. In this study yearling Black Angus steers received one of four treatments: no mineral supplementation, oral supplementation of minerals provided at levels similar to NRC requirements, oral supplementation of minerals provided at levels above NRC requirements, or a MultiMin® injection at labeled dose. Liver and blood samples were collected to measure mineral status and cortisol levels. Back fat and ribeye area measurements were also recorded. Weight of the steers were recorded every two weeks to determine average daily gain and feed:gain ratio. At the end of the study, steers were harvested at a local harvesting plant and carcass traits were obtained and recorded. There were no differences in weight gain, overall average daily gain, dry matter intake, or feed:gain ratio between the different treatment groups. Steers that were fed the HM had increased liver copper and selenium concentrations, but there was no effect observed on liver manganese and zinc concentrations. Carcass quality and antibody titers did not differ between the different treatments. These data indicate that different mineral supplementation strategies have a diverse effect on feedlot performance and liver mineral concentrations over time, and additional research is needed to better understand these differences.

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