Implanted Stocker Cattle Could Improve Average Daily Gain by 20%
Summer grass will be upon us soon! When preparing stocker cattle for turnout, are implants a part of your regimen?
According to a University of Nebraska (UNL) article, administering implants can be economically justifiable to help stocker cattle be more efficient on grass. “Utilization of implants in stocker cattle can increase average daily gain by 5-20%, improve feed efficiency by 5-15%, and improve lean tissue deposition by 5-12%,” the article said.
Natural and Synthetic Implants
Both natural and synthetic implants release added hormones into the blood to increase growth hormone secretion in the animal.
Natural hormones include estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, while synthetic hormones are analogs of the natural hormones with greater activity.
When choosing implants, consider the dosage level and payout period (lifespan of the active ingredients), as well as the potency of the implant in correlation with the energy level of the cattle’s diet.
The UNL article suggests high potency implants should be used with cattle on high energy, finishing diets. As stocker cattle on grass consume a less energy dense diet, lower dosage implants may be more effective.
Implant Strategies
For terminal cattle on grass, select implants based on potency and the overall production goals.
As grasses green up in the spring and early summer, a moderately-potent implant may best support the sufficient energy found in early season grazing. Lower potency implants my not offer the best return when forage quality is at its highest in early summer.
On the flip side, late summer grazing or years of moderate to severe drought conditions, when the quality of forage decreases, a moderately-potent implant may lack the energy needed to perform to its fullest capabilities.
Payout Period Considerations
Consider a summer grazing season of 120 days. Many common implants used on stocker cattle have a payout period of 100 days. This leads to a 20-day period where the implant is no longer productive.
For these last 20 days on grass at the end of the grazing season, the UNL article explains, “forage quality and quantity are decreasing at this time, so one option for producers would be to not re-implant when quality and quantity of forage begin to dwindle because cattle are not going to meet the nutrient requirements for the implants to be as efficient as expected. The cost of implanting along with the time and effort it takes to gather the cattle might not be worthwhile when the payout period has elapsed, and the marketing goals do not lend themselves to re-implanting on grass.”
In your marketing strategy, determine when you’re selling, who you’re selling to and how you’re weaning and growing the animals until delivery to choose the best implant strategy.
