PSIV-2 Comparison of growing bull performance, carcass, and health metrics with or without the use of SenseHub® Feedlot technology.

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare bull performance, carcass characteristics, and health metrics when using the SenseHub® Feedlot tag (SFT) vs conventional human walk through methods (CHM) to monitor bull health at a centralized bull test. SFT is an electronic ear tag that tracks animal activity and measures body temperature to signal when animals should be pulled for health treatment. Bulls on the pull list provided by SFT were evaluated and treated the same day. Bulls were pulled based on visual appraisal of the animal by farm staff for CHM. CHM Bulls (n = 40) arrived on October 3rd, 2023 in year 1 and SFT Bulls (n = 27) arrived on October 1st, 2024 in year 2. Breeds represented included: Angus, Simmental, Percentage Simmental, and Red Angus. Bulls were fed the same diet, in the same facility, and were given 21 d of accumulation before beginning a 90 d performance test. Bulls were weighed on two consecutive days and those weights were averaged to calculate start and end weights. Carcass measurements of actual backfat, adjusted intramuscular fat, and adjusted rib eye area were measured using ultrasound by the same technician on the 3rd Thursday in January. Scrotal circumference was measured the third Thursday in February utilizing the same veterinarian. Bull test performance metrics of ADG and weight per day of age (WDA) were calculated while actual birth weights and calving ease direct (CED) EPDs were obtained from the registered animal database. Health metrics including: number of times treated, mortality, and cost of treatment were recorded. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with year and breed as covariates. Correlations were made using the PROC CORR procedure of SAS. Number of times treated increased (P = 0.04) 152% with SFT compared to CHM. As a result, cost of treatment in $ per head tended to increase (P = 0.20) $15.71 with SFT. ADG and scrotal circumference did not differ (P > 0.21). Actual birth weight did not differ (P = 0.27); however, WDA was 0.15 kg higher for SFT bulls. Carcass characteristics did not differ (P > 0.35). Mortality rate was 4.8% (P = 0.26) for CHM compared to 0% for SFT. Number of times treated tended to be correlated to scrotal circumference (r = 0.32; p = 0.07) and CED EPD (r = -0.27; p = 0.1). Overall, SFT bulls were treated more times and had higher WDA than CHM bulls therefor cost per head numerically increased and mortality rate numerically decreased for SFT bulls.