Injection Best Practices For Beef Cattle - New Resources

Jun 13, 2024

Practice Makes Perfect: Little Things Done Right Lead to Big Rewards

When a beef cattle producer chooses to give cattle injections, there is a series of decisions that can have a big impact on carcass quality at the end of the production line, as well as on the efficacy of the products being injected.

While it may seem innocent enough to ignore best practices when injecting an animal that is far from entering the food chain, these decisions impact the entire industry. Each sector will ultimately be more profitable if everyone works together to ensure a quality product.

As shown in the BCRC’s new cattle injection resources, there are many steps that can be taken to reduce or eliminate ISLs and ensure the products being injected can work as intended. Following a few simple steps can have a big impact on the health and welfare of the animal being treated and keep dollars in the pocket of the producer.

Restraint
Ensure all animals being treated are safely restrained in a chute that allows the processor easy access to the neck and prevents unnecessary movement in the animal being treated. Cattle that are not properly restrained are at a higher risk for tissue trauma, needle breaks, improper injection technique and incorrect location.

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Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.