the High Plains the High Plains the high country (> 7,000 ft) will typically breeding bulls that have PAP measure lessonly than keep 45 mm Hg breeding bulls that have PAP measure less than 45 at the altitude at which they are exposed to. Sincemm PAPHg is at the altitude at which they are exposed to. Since PAP is 2 moderately to highly heritable, 2 the progeny of these bulls moderately to highly heritable, the progeny of these bulls shouldhave havea lower a lower risk brisket disease than progeny should risk ofof brisket disease than progeny from sires with a greater PAP measure. from sires with a greater PAP measure. Cow-calfproducers producers in high the high country have known Cow-calf in the country have known about about brisket disease for many years. The disease brisket disease for many years. The disease was first was 3 first reported South Park, Colorado in 1915. The reported in SouthinPark, Colorado in 1915.3 The disease diseaseknown became as ‘highdisease’ altitudebecause, disease’ because, became asknown ‘high altitude up until the the1960s, diseasethe was only seen altitudes up1960s, until the disease was at only seen atover altitudes 7,000ft. over 7,000ft.
approximately 4 cattleenteritis). died of digestive disorders (bloat,loss intestinal disorders, So, although the death intestinal disorders, enteritis). So, although the death from brisket disease in feedlot cattle is relatively loss small from brisket disease in feedlot cattle is relatively small at at present, it is not trivial. Furthermore, the majority of present, it is not trivial. Furthermore, the majority of the the occurred cases occurred after approximately 4 months on feed. cases after approximately 4 months on feed. Therefore, death loss from brisket disease is very costly Therefore, death loss from brisket disease is very costly because these animals typically die after much because these animals typically die after much feed, feed, resources, and labor have been invested. resources, and labor have been invested. Continued nextpage page Continued on on next
High disease is no longer an appropriate namename for Highaltitude altitude disease is no longer an appropriate this disease because the disease has since been seen to for this disease because the disease has since been seen occur at allataltitudes–high altitude merely increases the the to occur all altitudes–high altitude merely increases risk (Figure 1). risk (Figure 1). So what does this all mean for you, the feedlot producer? It So what does this all mean for you, the feedlot producer? means that congestive heart failure or brisket disease is It means that congestive heart or Morley, brisket disease likely occurring in your yard. Drs.failure Booker, is likely occurring in your yard. Drs. Booker, Morley, Wildman, and I recently conducted an epidemiological Wildman, and I recently conducted an epidemiological study of 10 Canadian and 5 US feedlots located at altitudes study offrom 10 Canadian and 5 US located at altitudes ranging 2,000 to 4,200 ft.4 feedlots The study involved 4 ranging from 2,000 to 4,200 ft. The study involved approximately 1.6 million cattle over a 12-year period. approximately 1.6 million cattle over a 12-year period. We found that the incidence of brisket disease doubled from years 2008. In of 2012, 1 perdisease 1,000 feedlot We the found that2000 the to incidence brisket doubled cattle died of brisket disease. To put that in perspective, from the years 2000 to 2008. In 2012, 1 per 1,000 feedlot cattle died of brisket disease. To put that in perspective, approximately 4 cattle died of digestive disorders (bloat,
Figure 1. The risk of right-sided congestive heart failure (RHF) or brisket disease in Canadian and U.S. feedlots in 2012 according to feedlot altitude. The risk of RHF appears to be greater in feedlots located at higher altitudes.
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