A Study of Mineral Nutrition of Range Cattle in Southeastern Utah

• Main Author: Raleigh, Robert J.
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@USU 1954
• Subjects: cattle; disease; chronic disease; livestock industry; Animal Sciences
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4646; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5684&context=etd

General Problem Cattlemen of south central Utah in Sevier and Wayne County areas have been plagued for the past twenty-five or thirty years by a malady known to the cattleman as "Brisket Disease." It is a chronic disease affecting both male and female of all ages. It is characterized in advance stages by enlargement of the brisket and throat regions, loss of appetite, a general unthrifty condition and marked ascites. The seriousness of the disease is indicated by a morbidity rate varying from one to five percent of the cattle grazing these areas with almost one hundred percent mortality rate. Many of the people of these southern Utah counties depend largely on livestock for their livelihood. In order for the livestock industry of these counties to operate as an economical and profitable enterprise, a better performance of the animals on summer ranges and a decrease in the death loss must be obtained. Scope The information contained in this thesis is the result of observation and data collected from the cattle grazing on 7-mile, U. M, and Sheep Valley Ranges, during the summers of 1948 through 1953. The work reported consists of forage analyses, blood analyses, liver biopsies, gross and histopathological studies of the tissues of affected animals. Controlled experiments were carried out to note if mineral supplements would prevent the disease. The sick animals were treated on the range at the same elevation to see if they could be cured. Purpose The purpose for undertaking the study was to determine the etiology and nature of the disease as it is manifested by symptoms and pathology; and to develop methods of treatment and control.