The 21-day cortisol surge in stressed cattle is a common problem that costs the combined beef and dairy sectors millions of dollars annually in mortality, morbidity, drug and labor costs, and impaired efficiencies in animals. And, yet, this inescapable reality is poorly understood and seldom planned for in producer protocols.

Beef-on-dairy cattle and native beef animals often require different health and nutrition protocols when entering the feedlot. Knowing your cattle and their source can prevent a lot of headaches when in receiving and feeding.

As an extension agent here in Virginia, I have the privilege of working with some of the best cattle producers around. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with raising cattle – from health and genetics to markets and handling.

It’s typical for newly weaned or sale barn-acquired calves to experience multiple stressors simultaneously when brought onto the farm. This might be the first time those animals are introduced to new feeds. In addition to the new diet, there is a new home along with new penmates and a social hierarchy. These changes then can compound on top of the stress of removing the calf from their dam.

Located in Glade Spring, Virginia, is a cattle operation that stands as a testament to hard work, adaptability and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle business. CH Cattle Company, owned and operated by Craig Hammond, is a livestock dealer, buying and selling thousands of cattle each year.

Recent research suggests that beef-on-dairy steers fed a low-starch total mixed ration at a younger age will continue to increase in feed intake and growth longer than those receiving different diets. 

Stress on cattle is inevitable, but producers know the goal is to manage and mitigate the stresses animals experience, including transportation, weaning, parturition, dietary and nutritional changes, predation, commingling, vaccination, diseases and infections. 

The journey from pasture to plate is fraught with challenges, particularly during the initial receiving period when cattle are most vulnerable. The receiving phase, typically encompassing the first 45 days after cattle arrive at a feedlot, is critical for ensuring their health, well-being and subsequent productivity.

Ensuring the health and productivity of starter cattle is a complex challenge. One of the critical aspects of managing this is understanding and supporting their immune systems, especially during the stressful transition from pasture to backgrounder or feedlot.