title: Evaluation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of melengestrol acetate in feedlot heifer calves in western Canada.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative efficacy and cost-effectiveness of feeding melengestrol acetate (MGA) to feedlot heifer calves in western Canada. Heifers fed MGA had significantly (P less than .05) improved average daily gain, feed conversion, and carcass quality grade and lower rates of initial undifferentiated fever treatment and bovine respiratory disease mortality. However, heifers fed MGA had less desirable (P less than .05) carcass yield grade. There was a net economic advantage of Can $11.31/animal in favor of heifers fed MGA. Based on these results, it is efficacious and cost-effective to feed MGA to heifer calves raised in standard large-pen commercial feedlots in western Canada.
authors.affiliation: Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., Okotoks, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Tye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Perrett
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Wildman
authors.forename: G Kee
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Jim
authors.forename: Aamanda R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Vogstad
authors.forename: R Kent
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Fenton
authors.forename: Sherry J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.forename: Oliver C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Schunicht
authors.forename: Sameeh M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abutarbush
authors.forename: Calvin W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Booker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D002170:Canada; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D008460:Meat / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D008552:Melengestrol Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008552:Melengestrol Acetate