During recent travels, I have seen both Angus and other breeds of beef cattle with poor foot conformation at two different fed beef plants. These problems can make animals lame when they become finished cattle. The heavier the steer, the more likely he is to be lame. These leg problems are genetic and correcting them has to be done at the cow-calf operation level. When cattle are indiscriminately selected for rapid weight gain and high meat yield, they may be more likely to have leg and hoof issues.

The “Foot structure” illustration shows the correct structure alongside legs and hooves with poor conformation. Hooves with crossed toes, or a very wide curved space between the toes, are not normal. These abnormalities can range from very slight to hooves that look significantly deformed. It is important to select bulls that have good feet and legs so that they produce fed cattle that will be less likely to become lame.

The problem with poor structure is that it may slowly get worse, and people may not notice it until it becomes really severe. I call this “bad becoming normal.” I like to compare genetic selection to a national budget. There are three parts of the economy:

1) Productivity and producing meat;

2) Infrastructure that includes good bone structure, heart and reproduction; and

3) Immune function to fight disease.

I like to call this the military. If all the emphasis on genetic selection is put into productivity, the other two parts of the “economy” may be short changed. Over the years, I have observed that when there is an overemphasis on selecting for meat traits, leg structure tends to get worse.

The rapid increase in “beef on dairy” cattle where Angus sires are used on Holsteins is providing some new insights. Feedlots who feed these Angus-Holstein crosses often contract with dairies. This makes it possible to have accurate individual ID’s and know the sire of every steer.

Often, very severe leg defects, or having many animals that died due to congestive heart failure, can be traced back to single Angus sires. Elimination of that particular bull often solved the problems. It is important for packers to understand that some of the problems that occur at the plant with lame cattle have to be corrected with breeding selection at the ranch of origin.