Evaluation of Initial Implants for Finishing Steers

Authors

• Jeffrey D. Folmer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Travis B. Farran, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Chris D. Reinhardt, Intervet, Inc.
• Bill D. Dicke, Cattlemen’s Consulting, Lincoln, NE
• Jim S. Drouillard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2005

Comments

Published in 2005 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2004 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A commercial feedlot experiment utilizing 12 pens and 1038 steers evaluated initial implant strategies for feedlot steers. Steers were administered either Revalor-IS® or Synovex S® at initial processing. Both treatment groups received Revalor-S® as a terminal implant. Revalor-IS® as an initial implant improved hot carcass weight and carcass adjusted final weight; however, there was no effect on any other measure of performance or carcass characteristics. Selling steers on a carcass merit basis resulted in a similar return per head for both implant strategies. Reduced-dose combination implants may improve hot carcass weight and carcass adjusted final weight with no impact on carcass merit.