BEEF ANIMAL AGE SKIN
The only FDA-approved location for placement of an implant is the middle third on the back side of the ear, between the skin and the cartilage. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves and regulates the use of all growth-promoting implants. Table 2 lists the production phase and age approvals for each implant. Zeranol mimics estradiol and trenbolone acetate mimics testosterone. Estrogenic refers to hormones affecting female characteristics and androgenic refers to hormones affecting male characteristics. Estradiol, progesterone and zeranol are estrogenic, whereas testosterone and trenbolone acetate are androgenic. Of the hormones used in beef cattle implants, three are naturally occurring (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) and two are synthetics (zeranol and trenbolone acetate). Implants that are approved for use in beef cattle are shown in Table 1. Always read the product label and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations prior to implant use. Most implants are specifically designed for a certain sex, age or stage of production. Many implant products are available for use in nursing calves, stocker calves and feedlot calves. This causes an increase in the secretion of growth hormone, which increases muscle growth. Implants work by increasing circulating levels of somatotropin and insulin-like growth-factor 1. Implants are small pellets that contain a growth stimulant that is slowly released over a period of time. Therefore, it is critical that manufacturers invest money into research and product development to benefit cow/calf producers. Unless calves are marketed to a program that prohibits the use of implants, nursing calves intended for sale should be implanted prior to weaning.Īlthough technologies are constantly being developed to reduce the costs of beef production, cow/calf producers are often reluctant to use implants. Implanting returns more revenue per dollar invested than any other management practice.ĭespite being approved for more than 50 years, only 33 percent of cow/calf producers nationwide use growth-promoting implants. Stocker and feedlot calves exhibit even greater responses than nursing calves. Implants have been shown to increase weaning weights of nursing calves in hundreds of research trials. Implanting nursing calves with a growth stimulant is one of the most economically justifiable practices available in the beef industry.
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