Prevalence, risk factors, and economic costs of beef cattle lameness in southern Alberta feedlots

Abstract

Lameness, an important health and welfare concern with negative impacts on production, performance, and profitability of feedlot cattle is a multi-faceted issue that is not fully understood. Objectives were to identify the prevalence of lameness, related risk factors, explore associations between BRD and lameness, and estimate net return of various lameness diagnoses. Estimated lameness prevalence was 32% (range, 1.3 to 46%) from cattle health records at 28 feedlots from 2005 to 2015. Fall-placed calves were more at risk of lameness with no swelling compared to yearling cattle that were at risk of foot rot diagnosis. Heifers were at a higher risk of lameness compared to steer cattle types. Cattle with chronic lameness were at a higher risk of subsequently developing BRD. Furthermore, cattle with joint infections and lameness with no swelling had negative returns of $-286 and $-701, respectively. Therefore, lameness was a common and costly disorder in Alberta feedlots.