Evaluation of two-stage weaning and trace mineral injection on receiving cattle growth performance and behavior

Rauch, Jordan C; Stokes, Rebecca S; Shike, Daniel W

Prior to experiment initiation, calves at URB and the ORC received Calf Guard (contains strains of bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus for preventing diarrhea; Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI) and Ecolizer + C20 (Clostridium perfringens Type C and K99 Escherichia coli antibodies to provide scour protection; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) at birth. Two to 3 d after birth, calves at both facilities were administered BO-SE (selenium and vitamin E for the prevention of white muscle disease; Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ), Bovi-Sera (Arcanobacterium pyogenes, E. coli, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Salmonella typhimurium antibodies of bovine origin for the prevention and treatment of respiratory conditions; Colorado Serum Company, Denver, CO), and Inforce 3 (Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Parainfluenza 3 , and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine; Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI). At this time calves at URB also received Vitamin A and D injection, and a metaphylactic treatment of Excede (ceftiofur crystalline free acid for antimicrobial treatment; Zoetis, Kalamazoo, MI On d−6, calves were weighed, plastic calf weaner devices (Agri-Pro Enterprises of Iowa, Inc., Iowa Falls, IA) were inserted (used to prevent calf from nursing) into two-stage weaned calves, and received either a subcutaneous ITM or saline injection administered at a rate of 1 mL/45.4 kg of BW.