Implants For Growth Promotion In Beef Cattle

F beef cattle management practices are more cost effective or have a higher return on investment than properly used growth promoting implants. Growth promoting implants are pellets that are implanted under the skin of the ear of growing calves. These pellets release extremely low concentrations of various hormones, which improve average daily gain 7 to 17 percent and feed efficiency 4 to 12 percent. Individual implant products are approved for specific types of cattle, such as nursing calves, breeding replacement heifers, weaned calves, or finishing cattle. Consult Table 1 for implants approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and available for use in beef cattle. For further information on particular products, contact the appropriate product representative.