The Costly Impacts of Ammonia on Cattle Health and Productivity
Ammonia emissions represent a significant but often overlooked challenge in cow/calf operations and feedlots. For calves in particular, the consequences of ammonia exposure can be devastating for growth potential.
A recent study notes the danger for calves, “Among noxious gases, ammonia may be of the greatest importance for respiratory diseases, as it directly damages the respiratory tract, leaving room and opening gate for pathogenic and opportunistic microbes.” Ammonia exposure can be more severe for calves because they:
- Spend significant time lying in bedding where ammonia concentrations are highest
- Are smaller, putting their respiratory system closer to the bedding surface
- Have developing immune systems more susceptible to insult
Ammonia exposure is one of the environmental risk factors predisposing calves to Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), which is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in pre-weaned calves. BRD is also the costliest issue for feedlots, responsible for 75% of all morbidity.
Estimates show that BRD costs the beef industry $800-$900 million dollars annually from death loss, reduced feed efficiency, and treatment costs.
Respiratory Impacts and Long-Term Consequences of Ammonia
The respiratory damage caused by ammonia exposure in calves, particularly when it leads to BRD, can induce:
- Permanent reduction of respiratory capacity
- Compromised respiratory defense mechanisms and higher disease incidence
- Reduced feed intake and less growth
While respiratory damage is the primary concern, ammonia affects multiple systems impacting calf health and productivity. Ammonia exposure impacts cattle in feedlots as well, causing a range of health issues, along with the greater risk of BRD.
Eye and Skin Irritation
- Eye watering, swelling, and contributes to conjunctivitis
- May trigger pinkeye outbreaks by weakening ocular defenses
- When combined with moisture, irritates skin and hooves, increasing susceptibility to infections like foot rot
Reduced Feed Intake and Growth
- Irritates nasal passages and diminishes sense of smell, decreasing feed consumption
- Leads to lower Average Daily Gain (ADG) and reduced feed conversion
- Any decrease in efficiency requires more feed per pound of gain, raising costs
Environmental and Worker Hazards
- High ammonia levels suggest attention to pen maintenance and an increased pathogenic bacteria load
- Creates hazardous working conditions for people in barns or hospital pens
- Contributes to environmental concerns and potential regulatory challenges
How to Identify High Ammonia Levels in Cattle Operations
Measurement with an ammonia meter or other measuring device is an objective way to test ammonia levels. It’s important to note that proper measurement requires readings to be taken just above the bedding or manure, especially for calves. Here’s what else to look for:
- Strong, pungent smell near pens (detectable when levels exceed >10 ppm)
- Watery eyes, coughing, or head-shaking in cattle
- Wet or caked bedding/manure pac
If ammonia readings are high and/or cattle are showing symptoms, there are ways to deal with ammonia levels effectively.
Effective Ammonia Management
The type of approach to ammonia control influences its effectiveness and sustainability. There are important distinctions between traditional methods and pH focused strategies.
Using lime to keep bedding dry is a traditional method of ammonia control, but while the lime does absorb moisture, it raises pH and volatizes ammonia. This will increase the level of ammonia from the bedding, exposing the animal to higher levels of the harmful gas. Raising pH also creates the conditions for harmful bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella to flourish. Other prevention strategies include:
• Improving drainage and ventilation
• Cleaning hospital pens more frequently
• Using ration formulation to reduce excess nitrogen excretion
• Using acidifiers to lower manure pH and trap ammonia
Smart pH Management Offers an Effective Solution
Pathogen survival is heavily influenced by environmental pH. The goal of pH manipulation is to make cattle pens less hospitable to harmful microbes, which:
• Reduces pathogen load in the environment
• Improves respiratory health
• Boost performance by reducing disease pressure
Increases sustainability with healthier, faster-growing cattle
Ammonia Management That’s Safe and Effective
BeefUp offers powerful ammonia control through its safe (no heavy metals or toxins) mineral acid formulation, which reduces pH and ammonia levels. When applied to feeding areas, bedding, footbaths, and calf pens, it creates an environment where respiratory and hoof health can flourish, directly improving daily gain and feed efficiency.
Unlike temporary solutions, BeefUp permanently neutralizes ammonia through direct chemical reaction, maintaining stable pH levels that protect calves’ developing lungs. Application is simple: use a broadcast or push spreader for larger areas, or hand shaker for calf pens.
Additional BeefUp benefits are its ability to:
- Preserve nitrogen in manure, improving its fertilizer value
- Eliminate ammonia-related environmental contamination
- Extend bedding life, reducing replacement costs
Don’t let ammonia limit your calves’ lifetime potential. Contact a Jones-Hamilton representative today and put BeefUp to the test on your operation. Your bottom line, and your calves, deserve nothing less.