Estudo da morbidade e mortalidade em confinamento de bovinos para terminação e seus impactos econômicos

Abstract

The beef cattle feedlot is an activity that is growing in Brazil and is a way to offer a better quality product to the consumer, increase herd productivity, improve the rate of return on invested capital and optimize areas of the properties. However, when there is the concentration of animals is most likely transmission of pathogens, and other risk factors by which the cattle pass through during this final phase of the production cycle, such as transportation, powered inclusion of high concentrate grades, rehabilitation with others, heat stress and excessive dust, which may predispose to disease. This study aimed to evaluate the main causes of morbidity and mortality of confined cattle. It was conducted in a commercial feedlot, where 15,269 animals were assessed daily for six months for inspection, and the animals that died were performed necropsies. Morbidity and mortality was higher for cattle aged over ninety days of confinement. The morbidity was observed 2,43 %, 1,01%, 0,24%, 0,11%, 3,95%. 0,75% and 0,60% for neurological diseases, respiratory, urinary, behavior, locomotion, ophtalmological and other diseases, respectively. Mortality rates were 0,55%, 0,39%, 0,12%, 0,22%, 0,007% and 0,22% for deaths from respiratory diseases, neurological, urinary, fractures and accidents, and other undetermined causes, respectively. The disease accounted for a higher average time of confinement and lower average daily gain weight when compared sick animals to healthy animals. The animals that had any illness in the feedlot above had higher production cost and production negative net margin, compared to healthy animals.