Effects of branding on weight gain, antibiotic treatment rates and subsequent handling ease in feedlot cattle

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effects of hot-iron and freeze branding on individual body weight (BW) antibiotic treatment (AT) rates based on rectal temperature (RT), and subsequent handling ease in feedlot cattle. Charolais-cross steer calves were ear-tagged and vaccinated on arrival to the feedlot and assigned to freeze brand (F), hot-iron brand (H), or control (C) treatments. Animals were branded at arrival to the feedlot in Trial 1 (n = 300) and 20 d after arrival in Trial 2 (n = 248). Rectal temperatures, AT and BW of all animals were recorded on the day of branding and every second day for 10 d. Branding treatments had no effect on average daily gain (ADG) or AT rates in either trial. Steers in Trial 2 required increased handling pressure over the 10 d period, indicating some aversion to being caught in the chute for measurement of RT. The only effect of treatment on handling ease was that freeze branded steers required more (P < 0.005) handling pressure than C or H steers on d 6 afte...