Implants and Their Use in Beef Cattle Production

1. Implants and Their Use in Beef Cattle Production

2. What are implants? Middle one-third Needle insertion site Cartilage ring Implant site Natural or synthetic anabolic compounds Manufactured in slow release systems Placed in back of ear under skin Effective days: 70 to 350, most 100 to 120 Available for suckling calves, grazing cattle, and finishing cattle Cost: $1-4/implant

3. Implants . . . • Deliver growth-promoting, anabolic compounds • Increase protein deposition and decrease fat deposition • Increase profitability • Release compounds slowly over time into bloodstream of animal • Increase ADG 10-15% +/- 5% • Numerous research trials/demonstration • Baby/Suckling Calves – Additional 0.10 lb. ADG • Stocker Calves – Additional 0.20 lb. ADG

4. Compounds Utilized in Implants Estrogenic Androgenic Testosterone propionate Trenbalone acetate (TBA) Synthetic progesterone • Estradiol 17-beta • Estradiol benzoate (72% estradiol beta) • Zeranol (~34% active estrogen)

5. Middle one-third Needle insertion site Cartilage ring Implant site

6. Implant Procedure • Read the label on all products • Obtain necessary equipment • Become familiar with implant applicator • Properly restrain the animal using head gate • Inspect animals ear • Clean ear if necessary • Initially wipe needle through disinfectant sponge – bevel down! • Slip needle under skin to place implant on middle 1/3 of ear, deposit implant and withdraw needle • Feel ear to ensure correct implantation

7. Middle one-third Needle insertion site Cartilage ring Implant site

8. Implanting Tips • Disinfect outside of ear with solution if necessary • Remove all mud, manure, dirt • Always use a sharp needle that is properly installed in the gun • Have disinfecting solution ready to wipe outside of needle between each implant • Don’t allow solution to run down inside needle • Avoid implant placement near major blood vessels or in cartilage • Damage to the ear from parasites may affect implant efficacy

9. Implants Available for Suckling Calves, Heifers and Stocker Calves

10. Suckling Calves • Calves should be 45 days of age before implanting • ADG boost of 0.1 lb per day

11. Stockers >400 lbs. • Calves should be 45 days of age before implanting • ADG boost of 0.18-0.27 lbs. per day • Payout 100-120 days

13. Heifers – To Implant or Not to Implant? • A common question in the industry for those retaining breeding stock • Fear of potential issues with conception rates and calving difficulty • Research has shown heifers can be implanted once between 45 days and weaning with no issues • Implanting once at birth, once near puberty (9-14 mo) OR multiple implants reduces fertility • 7-39% reduction in pregnancy rate (Selk) over those not implanted

14. Heifers – To Implant or Not to Implant?

15. Current Use of Implants in the U.S. Beef Industry

16. Current Use of Implants in the Oklahoma Beef Industry

17. What can Implants do for you?

18. Suckling calves% increase in gain Duckett et al. 2001

19. % increase in daily gain by implanting stocker calves 0.25 – 0.33 lb. added gain/day

20. Recent OSU Implant Studies on Wheat Pasture

21. The Hang-up with Implants • Quality Grade can be reduced slightly by implants given during the feedlot phase • More research needs to be done to further investigate this • In the current segmented beef industry, implanting decisions are dictated by phase of production in which cattle are marketed. NOTE: Implant strategies developed must consider the resources available, cattle type, age at slaughter, and if a pricing grid is used

22. Questions?