Providing a supplemental source of water or a trace-mineral-based drinking solution upon feedlot arrival affects intake, growth performance, and health of newly received finishing calves.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of providing a supplemental water source (SWS) or an experimental nutrient repletion solution (NRS) following feedlot arrival on intake, growth performance, health, and immune responses of newly received calves. A total of 270 weaned lightweight British × Continental crossbred heifers (initial body weight [BW] = 236 ± 19 kg) were ranked by shrunk BW and allocated into 18 soil-surfaced pens (12 × 35 m; 15 heifers/pen). Treatments were: 1) Control (CON): water was provided through a standard in-pen automatic waterer only; 2) Supplemental water source (SWS): CON plus water provided with one additional 416-L stock tank/pen; 3) Experimental nutrient repletion solution (NRS): provided with one 416-L stock tank/pen as the only source of drinking solution. The SWS and NRS were provided from days 1 to 4, after which supplemental tanks were removed. From days 5 to 56, all heifers had only access to the standard in-pen automatic waterer. Heifers had ad libitum access to feed and water and the WI was measured daily throughout the experiment. Body weights and blood samples via jugular venipuncture were collected on days 1, 4, 14, 28, and 56. A treatment × day interaction was observed for average BW, ADG, and water intake (P ≤ 0.05). SWS and NRS increased DMI compared to CON during days 5-15 (P < 0.001), and the increase in DMI persisted for SWS compared to CON between days 16 and 29 (P < 0.01). The ADG was lower for NRS compared to CON during days 1 to 4 (P < 0.01), and water intake was greater for SWS and NRS compared to CON between days 1 and 4 (P < 0.001). No differences between treatments were observed for morbidity and mortality rate (P ≥ 0.28). The cumulative incidence of BRD tended to be lower for SWS compared to CON during days 9 to 27 (P ≤ 0.10). No treatment or treatment × day interactions were observed for any of the plasma hormones and metabolites evaluated (P ≥ 0.11), except for plasma glucose, which tended to be lower for NRS compared to CON (P = 0.10), and serum antibody titers against bovine viral diarrhea virus, which were greater for NRS compared to CON (P = 0.02). Providing SWS or NRS to high-risk newly received beef calves for 4 d after arrival to the feedyard may increase water, feed intake and immune response.