Problems with Congestive Heart Failure and Lameness That Have Increased in Grain-Fed Steers and Heifers

Grain-fed steers and heifers have increasing problems with both lameness and congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure used to be limited to cattle raised at high altitudes. It is now occurring at much lower elevations. An inspection of hearts at the slaughter plant indicated that some groups of grain-fed steers and heifers had abnormally swollen hearts in 34% of the animals. Congestive heart failure may also increase death losses in the late stages of the feeding program. Lameness has also increased to 8% of grain-fed steers and heifers arriving at U.S. slaughter plants. Twenty years ago, observations by the author indicated that lameness in fed cattle arriving at the slaughter plant was almost zero. There has also been an increasing occurrence of abnormal hoof structure and poor leg conformation. Genetic selection for rapid growth and a large ribeye may be associated with the increase in both of these problems. Lameness and heart problems severely compromise animal welfare.