Estrus Suppression

Estrus Suppression

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
According to the Zoetis ,company, a product called MGA is the cattle industry's only in-feed estrus (heat) suppressor. MGA is a feed additive that suppresses heat in feedlot heifers, improves feed efficiency, increases weight gain, improves quality grade and synchronizes breeding programs in heifers on the ranch.1

Why is the suppression of estrus in heifers beneficial to feedlot operations. With an answer, here is Dr. Gary Sides, Managing Nutritionist with Zoetis. "Many times I get asked by producers, why do you introduce estrus suppression. The reason estrus suppression is so important is that heifers in heat at the time of slaughter have about a 40 to 50% increased chance of becoming a dark cutter which is a huge discount of the carcass value. In addition, heifers and heat are less interested in consuming feed and they become bullers when they are written by their harem mates and may cause injuries. Bruised carcasses, broken legs which further lowers carcass value. Gaining feed efficiency is also diminished because of the reduction of feed intake during the periods before, the periods afterwards and the period during estrus events.

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