New Method Helps Detect Sick Feedlot Calves – Vet Guide 2025 🐄🔍

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Spotting sick calves in a large feedlot is one of the toughest jobs on the ranch. Recent advances like Merck’s SenseHub Feedlot are changing the game—helping detect respiratory illness earlier and more reliably than human observation alone. In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore how SenseHub works, benefits like reduced mortality and lower labor, and how Ask A Vet can guide you through integrating this tech on your operation.

1. Why Early Detection Matters

• 🚑 Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the #1 killer of calves in feedlots.
• 🌡️ Sick calves often show signs only after disease progression—leading to poor recovery.
• 🤖 Automating detection catches illness before severe signs, improving outcomes.

2. What SenseHub Feedlot Does

• 🏷️ Smart ear tags with infrared thermistor measure skin temperature.
• 📊 An accelerometer tracks movement and behavior changes.
• 🧠 Algorithms identify calves with abnormal metrics.
• 📱 Pen riders receive daily alerts on mobile devices.
• 💡 A flashing LED on the tag highlights calves needing inspection.

3. Proven Benefits in Real Feedlots

• 📉 Reduced BRD mortality in Oklahoma feedlot trial.
• 👁️ Riders could monitor 3× more calves compared to visual checks.
• 🕒 Allows near–24/7 monitoring—like having an extra pair of eyes on every animal.

4. Implementation Considerations

• 📅 Apply tags when calves enter the feedlot.
• 📡 Set up network receivers to collect data.
• 📊 Integrate alerts into health-check routines—inspect tagged calves promptly.
• ⚙️ Train staff to respond to alerts and maintain tech properly.

5. Ask A Vet Support Services 📱

• 🔧 Assist setting up tag networks and receivers on-site.
• 📋 Help calibrate algorithm thresholds to your herd and environment.
• 👁️ Advise on streamlined workflows to inspect alerted calves.
• 📈 Monitor health performance data to optimize treatment protocols.
• 💡 Guide on scaling system across pens or facilities.

6. ROI & Health Impact

• 💰 Reduced mortality = more calves reaching market weight.
• 🕒 Labor efficiency—monitoring more calves with fewer staff.
• 🏥 Earlier treatment = fewer severe cases = lower veterinary & medication costs.
• 📈 Improved animal welfare and performance metrics.

7. Best Practices for Success

1. Deploy tags as calves come into feedlot.
2. Set realistic basal temperature and activity norms.
3. Train staff to quickly assess flashing calves.
4. Track trends—know if alerts spike after stress events.
5. Review data trends regularly with Ask A Vet team.

8. 2025 Key Take-Home Messages

• SenseHub leads early BRD detection—before you see signs.
• Flashing ear tags guide focused inspections.
• Reduced mortality and labor make it cost-effective.
• Ask A Vet helps customize, implement, and refine the system.

Conclusion

Merck’s SenseHub Feedlot system brings real-time monitoring to feedlot management—tracking calf temperature and behavior to detect sickness early and reliably. By combining this tech with structured inspection protocols and veterinary guidance, you can improve calf welfare, reduce losses, and streamline labor. Let Ask A Vet help you optimize implementation—keeping calves healthier and your bottom line stronger in 2025 and beyond. 🐄📈