Detection of Morbidity Using a Remote Sensing Ear Tag on Newly Received Steers and Feedlot Performance

Abstract A receiving study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a remote sensing ear tag (HerdDogg, Seward, NE) on the detection of morbidity, receiving calf performance, and finishing performance. Crossbred steers (n = 638; initial BW = 270 kg; SD = 18.6) were utilized in a generalized randomized block design. Steers were weighed on arrival to establish initial BW. Steers were assigned to one of two treatments based on their arrival date. Two experimental treatment strategies were used to determine steer morbidity: 1) pen-riders evaluated the cattle and made the decision on when to treat (PR) compared to the remote sensing tag that solely identified and flagged cattle in need of treatment (RST). Steers were weighed on arrival to establish initial BW. Steers were assigned to one of two treatments based on their arrival date. The receiving trial lasted 35 days with 6 days of limit feeding followed by 2 consecutive d weights to determine the ending BW. No differences were observed between PR or RST for ending BW, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), or feed efficiency (P 0.53) during receiving. A greater proportion of steers assigned to RST were treated compared to PR (42.2% vs. 31.7%, respectively; P = 0.01). Similarly, a greater percentage of RST steers were treated two or more times compared to PR (10.1% vs. 4.5%, respectively; P = 0.01), and tended to have more treated three times (P = 0.10). The average temperature at the first treatment was similar across treatments (P = 0.95), suggesting treated cattle were sick. Following the receiving phase, steers were finished by feeding 180 d. No differences were observed in final BW, DMI, ADG, feed efficiency, 12th rib fat thickness, and hot carcass weight (P 0.36). The proportion of steers treated two or more times (18.8% vs. 9.4%; P 0.01) and three or more times (13.4% vs. 2.8%; P 0.01) was greater for the RST treatment compared to the PR treatment, while the proportion treated at least once (P = 0.18) and the average temperature at the first treatment did not differ (P = 0.59). These results indicate that the remote sensing ear tag increased the rate at which cattle were pulled for treatment but did not influence overall performance or carcass characteristics.