Spire, M.F.Sargeant, J.M.Blasi, Dale A.Drouillard, James S.2010-08-232010-08-232010-08-23http://hdl.handle.net/2097/4730Infrared thermography (IRT) can be used successfully to differentiate abscessed implanted ears from nonimplanted ears 8 days postimplanting. Abscessed ears averaged 5.7EF warmer than nonimplanted ears when ambient temperature was 60 to 63EF. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were reduced 8.9% and 8.3%, respectively, over the 91-day feeding period for cattle with abscessed implants compared to cattle with normal implants. Dry matter intake was not affected by an abscessed implant and averaged nearly 18.0 lb/head/day for both treatment groups. Abscessed implants reduced economic return by $17.70 per head.BeefInfrared thermographyAbscessed implantsFeedlot performanceImplant quality assurance: detection of abscessed implants and their effect on feedlot performance of beef heifersConference paper