Livestock consuming too much grain can lead to several health issues. Grains are not the optimal diet for livestock like cattle, who are ruminants that evolved to eat grass. While grain helps with weight gain, it can cause digestive problems and other health complications.
What Happens When Livestock Overeat Grain?
When livestock, particularly cattle, consume excessive amounts of grain, several adverse effects can occur due to their digestive systems not being optimized for such a diet.
Digestive Issues
Cattle have a four-chambered gut designed to digest fibrous grass with the help of microbes. A grain-heavy diet changes the pH and microflora composition in the gut, potentially causing:
- Ulcers
- Liver abscesses from bacteria like Fusobacterium necrophorum
- Overcolonization by bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens or Escherichia coli
Impact on Weight Gain and Overall Health
Animals with liver abscesses do not gain weight as effectively, and severe cases can lead to heart and lung problems, even sudden death. Therefore, the digestive health of feedlot cattle must be closely monitored due to these grain-based feed challenges.
Countermeasures
The repeated addition of saliva increases the slipperiness of the food, helps balance the pH, and reduces bloat (gas buildup in the digestive tract). For grass-fed cattle, digestion is a slow process.
Why is Grain Used in Feedlots?
Despite the digestive challenges, grain is critical for weight gain in the feedlot industry. Farmers discovered that feeding surplus grain to cattle produced heavily marbled beef, which commanded higher prices. Grains and legumes, such as corn and soy, support maximal growth and weight gain through a high-energy diet.
How are Feedlots Managed?
Feedlots manage cattle or other animals in a relatively small area, feeding them primarily grains until they are ready for processing. Feedlots support maximal growth and weight gain through a high-energy diet of grains and legumes, such as corn and soy.
Feedlot Categories
Feedlots are categorized according to size:
- Small feedlots: 1,000 to 7,999 head of cattle
- Large feedlots: 8,000 or more
Best Practices
Best practices include constructing pens and other structures so that any water will run to a central collection pond to hold waste material. The waste can then be treated and used to water crops that are not intended for human consumption.
People Also Ask
How do feedlots affect the environment?
Feedlots can lead to air and water pollution due to the high concentration of animals. Manure management is crucial to prevent runoff into local water sources. Dust control, proper drainage, and measures to reduce heat stress are also essential environmental considerations.
What is the role of antibiotics in feedlots?
Antibiotics are widely used to support the health of feedlot cattle due to the density of animals and bacterial growth associated with grain-based feed. However, the widespread use of antibiotics raises concerns about antibiotic resistance.
What alternatives exist to grain-heavy diets for livestock?
While grains are used for efficient weight gain, grass-fed systems offer a more natural diet for ruminants. Grass-fed cattle ruminate more, which aids in the breakdown of insoluble fibers and helps balance the pH in their digestive systems.
Understanding the impact of grain-heavy diets on livestock is crucial for maintaining animal health and addressing environmental concerns. Want to discover more about sustainable farming practices?