Effect of viral respiratory vaccine treatment on performance, health and carcass traits of auction-origin feeder steers.

Abstract

A total of 3,147 auction-origin steers were used to compare the effects of three different virus vaccines on performance, health, carcass traits and economic return in a commercial feedlot. Vaccine products compared were Pyramid® 5 (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS), Bovi-Shield Gold® 5 (Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY) and Bovi-Shield Gold® IBR-BVD. Steers vaccinated with Pyramid 5 (PYR5) vaccine had 3.8% ( P =0.09) better feed conversion than those vaccinated with Bovi-Shield Gold IBR-BVD (BOV3) vaccine when calculated on a live-weight basis, but similar to steers in the Bovi-Shield Gold® 5 (BOV5) group. On a carcass-weight basis, feed conversion was 3.6% better ( P =0.09) in the PYR5 treatment group compared to steers in the other treatment groups. No differences ( P >;0.10) in carcass traits were noted among the three treatment groups. The morbidity rate due to bovine respiratory disease was 11% lower ( P =0.09) in steers vaccinated with PYR5 compared to those vaccinated with BOV5, and the relapse rate was 22% lower ( P =0.04). Combined treatment and railer (culling) costs were $8.81/head and $7.56/head lower in the PYR5 group than in the BOV5 and BOV3 steers, respectively. Mortality costs did not differ among treatments ( P =0.52).