United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture 

Veterinary Services 

Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health July 2013 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The Use of Growth-Promoting 

Implants in U.S. Feedlots 

Growth-promoting implants have been used to enhance 

beef production for many years. Typically, the small 

hormone-impregnated pellets used are designed for 

slow, sustained release of active ingredients. Implants 

are administered under the skin midway between the tip 

and base of the back of the ear. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves 

and regulates the use of all growth-promoting implants. 

Implants are designed and approved for specific ages, 

sex, and stages of production in cattle. The use of 

implants enables producers to cost effectively improve 

animal growth rates, feed efficiencies, and lean muscle 

mass. Implanting cattle increases their rate of gain from 

15 to 20 percent and improves feed efficiency from 8 to 

12 percent.a

 In general, implanting cattle adds another 

$30 to $67 per head.b

 However, implants can have 

negative effects, including increased occurrence of rectal 

and vaginal prolapses, buller steer syndrome, and 

decreased marbling scores and tenderness of the end 

product. 

 Using data collected during the USDA’s National 

Animal Health Monitoring System’s Feedlot 2011 study, 

this information sheet characterizes the use of growthpromoting implants in U.S. feedlots with a capacity of 

1,000 or more head located in 12 States.1

 These 

feedlots accounted for 82.1 percent of the January 1, 

2011, inventory in all U.S. feedlots and 2.8 percent of all 

feedlots. 

 

Feedlot percentages (heifers) 

A lower percentage of feedlots implanted heifers 

weighing less than 700 lb when placed than implanted 

heifers weighing more than 700 lb when placed (80.8 

and 89.5 percent, respectively). About two-thirds of 

feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 to 7,999 head 

(74.0 percent) implanted heifers less than 700 lb when 

placed compared with nearly all feedlots with a capacity 

of 8,000 or more head (94.1 percent). Similarly, a lower 

percentage of feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 to 7,999 

head (85.2 percent) implanted heifers more than 700 lb 

when placed than feedlots with a capacity of 8,000 or 

more head (97.4 percent) [see figure]. 

 

1 Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New 

Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Washington. 

Feedlot percentages (steers) 

A higher percentage of feedlots implanted steers 

less than 700 lb when placed than steers 700 lb or more 

when placed (90.4 and 84.3 percent, respectively). A 

lower percentage of feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 to 

7,999 head implanted steers less than 700 lb compared 

with feedlots with a capacity of 8,000 or more head (80.9 

and 91.7 percent, respectively). Similarly, large feedlots 

were more likely to implant steers weighing 700 lb or 

more when placed compared with feedlots with capacity 

of 1,000 to 7,999 head (100.0 and 86.0 percent, 

respectively). 

 

0

20

40

60

80

100

1,000-7,999 head 8,000 or more head

Heifers less 

than 700 lb

Heifers 700 lb 

or more

Steers less 

than 700 lb

Steers 700 lb 

or more

Feedlot capacity

Percentage of feedlots that gave cattle any implants for 

growth promotion, by cattle type and by feedlot capacity

Cattle type

Percent

85.2

74.0

97.4

94.1

86.0

100.0

91.7

80.9
United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture 

Cattle percentages (heifers and steers) 

Regardless of cattle weight or feedlot capacity, 

about 90 percent of heifers and steers were implanted at 

least once (table 1). 

 

Table 1. From time of placement until marketing, 

percentage of heifers and steers given any implants 

for growth promotion, by cattle type, feedlot 

capacity, and region 

 Feedlot capacity 

(number head) Region 

 1,000–

7,999 

8,000 or 

more Central Other 

All 

feedlots

Cattle 

type Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. 

Heifers

Less 

than 700 

lb when 

placed 

89.5 94.8 99.0 52.1 94.3 

700 lb or 

more 

when 

placed 

92.4 94.9 95.4 91.1 94.7 

Steers 

Less 

than 700 

lb when 

placed 

91.9 91.0 97.4 71.0 91.2 

700 lb or 

more 

when 

placed 

94.3 94.1 93.8 95.3 94.1 

Number of implants 

Nearly four of five implanted steers weighing less 

than 700 lb when placed (79.8 percent) received two or 

more implants. Nearly all implanted heifers weighing less 

than 700 lb when placed received two or more implants 

(table 2). The majority of implanted steers weighing 

700 lb or more when placed (77.8 percent) were given 

only a single implant. About half of implanted heifers 

weighing 700 lb or more (51.2 percent) were given two 

implants, and 48.8 percent were given a single implant. 

Whereas most feedlots implanted cattle weighing less 

than 700 lb more than once, the majority of feedlots 

implanted heavier cattle, especially steers, only once. 

The difference, in practice, is most likely due to lighter 

cattle taking longer to attain a desirable harvest weight 

than heavier cattle. 

Table 2. Percentage of implanted steers and heifers 

weighing less than 700 lb when placed, by number 

of implants given, feedlot capacity, and region 

 Feedlot capacity 

(number head) Region 

 1,000–

7,999 

8,000 or 

more Central Other 

All 

feedlots

Number 

of 

implants Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. Pct. 

Heifers less than 700 lb when placed

1 10.0 0.4 0.8 12.6 1.4 

2 87.0 96.9 96.6 82.4 95.8 

3 or more 3.0 2.7 2.6 5.0 2.7 

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

Steers less than 700 lb when placed 

1 18.2 20.5 23.0 7.8 20.2 

2 73.1 61.2 57.5 86.1 62.7 

3 or more 8.6 18.3 19.6 6.0 17.1 

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

Product usage 

Revalor® was the product most commonly used by 

feedlots that implanted any steers just once 

(71.7 percent of feedlots); feedlots that implanted any 

steers two or more times* (57.9 percent); feedlots that 

implanted any heifers only once (48.3 percent); and 

feedlots that implanted any heifers two or more times* 

(47.6 percent). 

References 

a. http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/Produ

ctSafetyInformation/ucm055436.htm 

b. Preston RL. 1999. Hormone containing growth promoting 

implants in farmed livestock. Advanced Drug 

DeliveryReviews.

c. Duckett SK, Owens FN, Andrae JG. 1997. Effects of 

implants on performance and carcass traits of feedlot 

steers and heifers. In: Symposium: Impact of implants on 

performance and carcass value of beef cattle. Oklahoma 

State University, Stillwater, OK, P-957.

*Terminal implant. 
United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture 

_____________________________ 

For more information, contact: 

USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH–NAHMS 

NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7 

2150 Centre Avenue 

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 

970.494.7000 

http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov

#669.0713 

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