Effects of branding on weight gain, antibiotic treatment rates and subsequent handling ease in feedlot cattle

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of hot-iron and freeze branding on individual body weight (BW) antibiotic treatment (AT) rates based on rectal temperature (RT), and subsequent handling ease in feedlot cattle. Charolais-cross steer calves were ear-tagged and vaccinated on arrival to the feedlot and assigned to freeze brand (F), hot-iron brand (H), or control (C) treatments. Animals were branded at arrival to the feedlot in Trial 1 (n = 300) and 20 d after arrival in Trial 2 (n = 248). Rectal temperatures, AT and BW of all animals were recorded on the day of branding and every second day for 10 d. Branding treatments had no effect on average daily gain (ADG) or AT rates in either trial. Steers in Trial 2 required increased handling pressure over the 10 d period, indicating some aversion to being caught in the chute for measurement of RT. The only effect of treatment on handling ease was that freeze branded steers required more (P < 0.005) handling pressure than C or H steers on d 6 after branding. This may have resulted from discomfort caused by pressure put on the freeze branding site while in the chute, perhaps indicating that F animals may experience a lingering pain. Branding, regardless of technique, does not affect BW or AT rates when performed soon after arrival or following a 20 d acclimation period in the feedlot. These findings suggest that branding may not be a severe enough stressor to negatively affect BW gain or health in cattle. There may be some potential in using handling ease as an indicator of an animal's aversion to re-enter the location of a previously negative experience.