Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Maintaining strict health standards at feedlots is vital in South Africa, particularly given the ongoing challenges facing the red meat industry. Dr Dirk Verwoerd, feedlot veterinarian at Karan Beef, says that the establishment and correct application of these standards are essential. Feedlots operate under high risk, characterised by intense pressure, large output volumes, and extremely narrow profit margins.
Feedlots bring together, manage, and optimise the full range of characteristics found within the national beef herd, ranging from superior animals to those of lower quality. As a result, they mirror the risks and health consequences associated with livestock diseases present in South Africa.
Dr Verwoerd explains that while producers are selling calves, feedlots are effectively purchasing risk and potential. Therefore, each group of calves should be assessed in line with these two strategic considerations, before or during the purchasing process. In practice, this assessment is carried out through a set of visible health standards, commonly referred to as ‘conspicuous defects’.
Clinical signs of disease
- Respiratory symptoms: Nasal discharge, coughing, and laboured breathing are typical indicators of pneumonia.
- Excessive salivation, tongue and oral lesions: These signs may indicate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), currently widespread in the country. Control is only achievable through large-scale vaccination campaigns.
- Typical lumpy skin disease lesions: The presence of a few affected animals within a group often suggests widespread exposure and inadequate or absent prior vaccination. Following the stress of transport, additional cattle in the group may develop lesions within two to seven days. Consequently, the entire group should be considered compromised – not only animals showing visible lesions.
- Diarrhoea (infectious or nutrition-related): In an effort to maximise growth before sending animals to the feedlot, producers often overfeed young, non-adapted calves with grain. This practice can cause severe rumen damage, which is observed as abnormally watery or bloody manure.
Injuries: These include poorly healed bone fractures, chronic laminitis of the hooves, and injuries sustained when cattle fall or are trampled during transport.
Genetic abnormalities: Examples include dermatosparaxis (torn skin) in Drakensbergers, loose shoulders, devil’s grip affecting the withers or back joints, and double-muscled heifers.
Poor growth potential: Although calves may fall within the ideal weight range of 180 to 240kg, they are often much older than expected. Thick horn bases and abnormally large heads are typical signs. Causes include stunting, malnutrition during the first three months of life, and seneciosis resulting from the ingestion of toxic plants that cause chronic, irreversible liver damage.
Read more about preventing respiratory diseases in feedlots here.
Address shortcomings
Dr Verwoerd points out that the application of health standards at feedlots remains problematic, largely because these standards are applied inconsistently. “When animals are scarce, almost anything is accepted, yet during weaning periods the same buyers apply strict rules. Cattle producers receive little to no reward for the additional cost and effort involved in supplying a superior product.”
He stresses that success begins with sound genetics. However, ongoing confusion in recent years surrounding FMD outbreaks, along with related quarantine measures and disease-control zones, has severely undermined economic principles.
Statutory restrictions have rendered several regions inaccessible to large feedlots, creating opportunities for unscrupulous speculators to exploit the situation. Countrywide vaccination campaigns should bring much-needed stability, enabling livestock sales and purchases to return to being driven by economic and biological merit.
Guidelines and application
Dr Verwoerd stresses that feedlots should procure calves through a transparent and structured process. Calves that are healthy and backed by superior genetic growth potential should fetch premium prices, while animals with lower potential should face heavy price penalties. This approach will send a clear message to primary producers.
Traceability requirements are non-negotiable. The electronic system managed by Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is highly efficient and should be part of every feedlot’s purchasing criteria, as well as each producer’s supply profile.
FMD outbreaks have been the most disruptive force in the red meat industry the past four years. However, role-players need to accept that FMD will not disappear overnight after a few vaccinations.
The disease is likely to feature for many years, and possibly on a permanent basis in certain regions. This makes it more important than ever for feedlots and producers to join forces. Such collaboration should cover all aspects of traceability, health risk management, vaccination programmes, and biosecurity. The rules of the game have changed, and the industry must adapt to this new reality. – Christal-Lize Muller, Stockfarm
Send an email to Dr Dirk Verwoerd at dirkv@karanbeef.com or phone 082 826 6540 for more information.
