Abstract
Anabolic implants are used to reduce the cost of beef cattle production. Implant products are available for suckling calves, grazing cattle, and finishing cattle. Improvements of 6, 15, and 20% in average daily gain can be realized in calves, stockers, and feedlot cattle, respectively, with implanting. Producers have numerous choices available today when using implants to lower production costs. In the current segmented beef industry, implanting decisions are dictated by phase of production in which the cattle are marketed. General recommendations have been to use implants predominately in the finishing phase, and some feedlots currently offer premiums when purchasing unimplanted cattle. However, in totally integrated beef production systems, traditional implant schemes may not be optimal. The primary objective of an integrated system is to reduce the overall cost of beef production from conception to slaughter while providing a quality product. Decisions regarding the phase(s) of beef production in which to use implants become very important in relation to profitability for the intensive system. Implant strategies developed must consider the resources available, cattle type, age at slaughter, and pricing grid at slaughter. Implant effects on quality grade and palatability of the end product must also be considered. Research indicates altering timing of implant administration in relation to slaughter can reduce the effects of implanting on quality grade. Carryover effects of suckling and(or) stocker implants seem minimal for feedlot performance and carcass quality, and the increased gain is generally additive. Thus, implanting in every phase of production (suckling, stocker, and feedlot) would increase value by about $93 per animal. Copyright © 2001. American Society of Animal Science. ©2001 American Society of Animal Science