Management of Transit-Stress Syndrome in Cattle: Nutritional and Environmental Effects1, 2

- David P. Hutcheson3 and N. Andy Cole4, 5,


Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Amarillo, TX 79106





Abstract



Feeder calves encounter numerous stressors during movement through the marketing system. Nutritional regimens before and after movement can affect cattle performance and health. Feeding a 50% concentrate diet before shipment improved health and performance. Potassium levels, roughage levels and sources, protein level and sources and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures all should be considered in formulating receiving diets. Proper nutrition can improve rumen function, increase feed intake and reduce the metabolic effects of stress. In 18 experiments, the effects of meterology on performance and health of cattle were evaluated. Although correlations were low, the data suggest that environment may affect the performance of morbid calves more than the performance of healthy calves.







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Footnotes

1 Paper presented at the Symposium on "Management Strategies to Attenuate Environmental Stresses", jointly sponsored by Environment, Pastures and Forages, and Ruminant Nutrition Committees, ASAS, and Int. Minerals and Chem. Corp., Mundelein, IL, during the 76th Annu. Meet, of the Amer. Soc. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, August 9, 1984.



2 Technical article no. TA20107 of the Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Texas A&M Univ., College Station 77843.



3 Professor, Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Amarillo 79106.



4 Res. Anim. Sci., USDA-ARS, Bushland, TX 79012.



5 Mention of a trade name, propietary product or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA of Texas A&M Univ. and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.