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Have You Herd? AABP PodCasts

Epi. 300 – Cattle Implants and Growth Technologies

July 13, 2026 • AABP

0:00 | 48:41

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Jessica Sperber, Beef Technical Services Manager on the ruminant nutrition team at Merck Animal Health. This episode of Have You Herd? was developed by the AABP Nutrition Committee. If you are an AABP member interested in cattle nutrition, consider joining our Nutrition Committee by going to this link.

Sperber reviews the main active ingredients in implants and how they work inside the animal and when they should be used during the production cycle. She also reviews the variables that matter most when selecting an implant. Veterinarians should be aware of FDA regulations on re-implant strategies and timing of implants. Find information about these regulations here and a list of all FDA approved implants for use in the U.S. here.

Veterinarians play a key role in consulting producers on what implants to use and when to use them, but also in assisting with implant quality control. This includes training, monitoring and auditing implants for correct administration to ensure all cattle receive the benefits for maximum returns.