Bovine Implants Bring Efficient Beef Production

US - Beef cow-calf and stocker operators can increase the daily gain of steers 10 to 15 percent, on average, by using growth-promoting implants.
calendar icon 21 May 2007
clock icon 1 minute read
In actual practice this percentage translates to between 0.18 and 0.27 pounds per head, per day, for 100 to 120 days. The extra boost in gain amounts to 20 to 25 pounds per head.

"The way to achieve this bonus weight is to implant steers with a growth-promoting implant," said Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

"The payback on the implant investment is one of the most economical practices beef producers can do."

According to Cole, there are several implants available and the cost per treatment varies from less than $1 per head to nearly $2 per animal.

"Even though implants offer gain boosts and economic benefits, they are not used as widely in the cow-calf and stocker sectors as they are in the feedlot portion of the industry," said Cole.

It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the feedlots use implants.

Source: News-Leader.com
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