Trends in mortality ratios among cattle in US feedlots.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate trends in feedlot cattle mortality ratios over time, by primary body system affected, and by type of animal.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Approximately 21.8 million cattle entering 121 feedlots in the United States during 1994 through 1999.


METHODS
Yearly and monthly mortality ratios were calculated. Numbers of deaths were modeled by use of Poisson regression methods for repeated measures. Relative risks of death over time and by animal type were estimated.


RESULTS
Averaged over time, the mortality ratio was 12.6 deaths/1,000 cattle entering the feedlots. The mortality ratio increased from 10.3 deaths/1,000 cattle in 1994 to 14.2 deaths/1,000 cattle in 1999, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Cattle entering the feedlots during 1999 had a significantly increased risk (relative risk, 1.46) of dying of respiratory tract disorders, compared with cattle that entered during 1994, and respiratory tract disorders accounted for 57.1% of all deaths. Dairy cattle had a significantly increased risk of death of any cause, compared with beef steers. Beef heifers had a significantly increased risk of dying of respiratory tract disorders, compared with beef steers.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that although overall yearly mortality ratio did not significantly increase during the study, the risk of death attributable to respiratory tract disorders was increased during most years, compared with risk of death during 1994. The increased rates of fatal respiratory tract disorders may also reflect increased rates of non-fatal respiratory tract disorders, which would be expected to have adverse production effects in surviving animals.
Loneragan
G H
GH
Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft Collins 80523, USA.
Dargatz
D A
DA
Morley
P S
PS
Smith
M A
MA
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology