Antibiotics for momma can harm baby's gut health

Human study shows fetal gut health set back by antibiotics given to mother during labor. What about cows and calves?

The more we learn how the gut bacteria of mammals works with and influences the rest of the body, the more it seems we should take care how we use antibiotics and other therapies.

It doesn't seem to matter what species, healthy gut biota is critical to overall health.

I read an article this week about a study published in the journal Scientific Reports that showed antibiotics administered to the human mother during labor damaged development of the gut biota in the baby for about two weeks. The longer the exposure of the mother and fetus to these antibiotics administered for Group B Streptococcus, the longer the delay in maturation of gut bacteria in the new baby.

The researchers explained that one out of three or four pregnant women test positive for Group B Streptococcus during routine screening and the majority choose to receive antibiotic prophylaxis during labor to prevent GBS transmission to their infant at birth. Infant infections can lead to serious illness including meningitis and death in a very small number of infants, and antibiotic treatment is an important prevention strategy.

The researchers also noted the effects of antibiotics for GBS on the gut bacteria in babies was dramatic at early time points, they largely disappeared by 12 weeks of age.

“It’s a good sign that bacterial groups recover by 12 weeks but it’s still unclear what these findings mean for infant health, especially since early infancy is such an important developmental time,” the report said.

The researchers said these babies were healthy, full-term, breast-fed babies, predominantly born vaginally, with a small percentage born by C-section who were also exposed to antibiotics to prevent surgical infection. As in previous studies, babies born by C-section had delayed expansion of the key gut colonizer compared to babies born vaginally without exposure.

A study published in 2013 suggests that the gut microbiota affected by antibiotics shows less capacity to absorb iron, digest certain foods and produce essential molecules for the organism.

This suggests to me we could have similar effects on young calves with our antibiotic therapies. At the least, it says calves born to cows that need antibiotic therapy late in gestation should be watched more closely for a couple weeks, if possible. Perhaps more important, I could argue, we should be selecting cattle that have better health, better reproductivity and fewer health issues.

Thursday Midday Livestock Market Summary - Mixed Trade Trickle Into Markets Thursday

GENERAL COMMENTS: 

Moderate to strong pressure quickly developed across the market Thursday morning. This lack of support limited trade interest in most contracts, but pushed prices lower early. The lack of follow through pressure midday has allowed for mixed trade to develop even though volume is light. Corn prices are lower in light trade. March corn futures are 1 cent per bushel lower. Stock markets are higher in light trade. The Dow Jones is 100 points higher while Nasdaq is up 47 points.

LIVE CATTLE:

Narrow gains have slowly developed at midday with prices now seen from 5 cents lower to 15 cents per cwt higher. The focus on short covering appears to be gaining momentum through the morning with traders focusing on additional longer term support through the complex. It is uncertain just how much additional volume will step into the complex. The overall tone of all livestock markets remain weak, but the inability to spark additional selling activity may help to bring stability to all cattle trade. Cash cattle activity has redeveloped with moderate trade volume developing in the South. Live cattle trade is seen in these areas at $117 per cwt. This is $3 to $4 per cwt lower than last week's prices, and expected to generally set the tone of the market through the end of the week. Bids are seen in the North at $186 to $187 per cwt, although no sales have redeveloped following midweek trade. Asking prices through the morning have ben at $118 to $120 live basis and $190 and higher dressed. Beef cut-outs at midday are mixed, $0.14 higher (select) and down $1.24 per cwt (choice) with light movement of 64 total loads reported (41 loads of choice cuts, 18 loads of select cuts, no loads of trimmings, 5 loads of ground beef).

FEEDER CATTLE:

Feeder cattle futures have broken away from the early pressure developing across the complex Thursday morning. This is allowing for increased stability despite the focus that overall market fundamentals remain weak and follow through liquidation could redevelop. But the aggressive $8 to $10 per cwt selloff in nearby contracts in the last week has led to market apathy as most sellers have liquidated needed positions, while buyers are unwilling to aggressively step back into the market. Prices are mixed from 70 cents lower to 10 cents higher, although the overall tone of the market remains weak.

LEAN HOGS:

Moderate to strong market pressure is seen through morning trade with prices generally 60 cents to $1.10 per cwt lower at midday. The early pressure in cattle trade as well as pressure from cash hog values is adding to the liquidation activity through the week. With prices breaking below late November market pullbacks, this sets the next support level at the November lows seen earlier in the month of November. At this point, current market prices are still nearly $2 per cwt above these levels in nearby contracts, but continued pressure could quickly erode market support seen earlier in the month. Cash prices are lower on the National Direct morning cash hog report. The weighted average price is down $0.77 at $58.05 per cwt with the range from $53.00 to $60.00 on 5,610 head reported sold. Cash prices are lower on the Iowa/Minnesota Direct morning cash hog report. The weighted average price fell $1.35 at $57.46 per cwt with the range from $53.00 to $60.00 on 3,710 head reported sold. The National Pork Plant Report posted 155 loads selling with carcass values gaining $0.79 per cwt. Lean hog index for 12/04 is at $64.35 up $0.43 with a projected two-day index of $64.85, up $0.50.

Thursday Morning Livestock Market Update - Cattle Market Weakness Expected to Continue

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Light to moderate trade developed in Nebraska through the afternoon Wednesday with prices seen at $187 to $188 per cwt. This is generally $2 to $3 per cwt lower than last week's price levels, and could limit additional buyer support over the near future, although trade is expected in other areas through the rest of the week. Even though the amount of cattle sold may not set the tone for the market, given overall market conditions, it is likely that the limited trade activity at $117 per cwt will potentially set the market unless a wide market shift develops in futures trade. Futures are expected to continue to move lower through the morning with the aggressive sell-off in both feeder cattle and live contracts creating limited support.

Follow-through pressure is expected to quickly develop through the lean hog futures trade following the aggressive market pullback over the last couple of trading sessions. The move lower has broken through lows set in late November, which broke through support levels. This may spark a combination of follow-through liquidation as well as short-covering during the initial trade seen Thursday. Daily hog runs are scheduled for 465,000 head with 215,000 head seen Saturday.

	BULL SIDE		BEAR SIDE
1)	Strong end-of-the-year and holiday demand continues through the beef complex despite the recent pullback in price levels. Traders continue to focus on aggressive buyer support in all beef markets surrounding the holiday season.	1)	Moderate to strong pressure continues to develop following the aggressive triple-digit losses in futures activity during the last week. This is starting to heavily impact not only cash cattle markets but also erode beef values.
2)	Cash basis values have remained strong through the week. Even though the cash cattle market remains lower, the strong appetite of packers who want beef has been minimized compared to the aggressive losses in futures trade. Cash markets have shifted $2 to $3 per cwt lower while futures markets have fallen $5 to $6 per cwt over the last week.	2)	Feeder cattle futures have been the leader of the recent market liquidation as traders continue to focus on overall lack of support. This has broken through most nearby support levels, leaving the complex vulnerable for additional long-term pressure.
3)	Packers continue to aggressively focus on keeping plants full and moving additional pork down the pipeline. This will continue to limit the overall pressure in cash values through the next few weeks.	3)	Lean hog futures have broken through the short-term support levels seen at the end of November. This has the potential to bring about additional market liquidation over the next couple of weeks.
4)	Strong pork demand continues to be seen both in domestic and export markets. This will allow for additional demand of pork despite the recent pullback in futures trade.	4)	Pork values posted strong losses midweek, breaking away from the firm and steady market support over the last couple of weeks. This could bring increased market pressure over the next few days.

Wednesday Closing Livestock Market Summary - Additional Selling Pressure Sweeps Through Livestock Complex

GENERAL COMMENTS

Cash cattle trade started to develop with live sales redeveloping around $117 per hundredweight (cwt) while dressed activity was seen at $187 to $188 per cwt. These sales are $2 to $3 per cwt lower than last week's price levels. At this point, additional trade is still needed to be done, but the current movement may be enough to set the tone for the week. The Fed Cattle Exchange Auction on Wednesday listed a total of 653 head, with zero actually sold, 309 head listed as unsold, and 344 head listed as PO (Passed Offer). The state-by-state breakdown looks like this: KS 242 total head, with zero head sold, 92 head unsold, 150 head listed as PO ($117.25); NE 217 total head, with zero head sold, 217 head unsold, and zero head listed as PO; TX 194 total head, with zero head sold, zero head unsold, and 194 head listed as PO ($117.50); CO -- no cattle reported; IA -- no cattle reported; other states -- no cattle reported. The delivery date/weighted averages breakdown is as listed: 1-9 day delivery: 653 head total, zero head sold; 1-17 day delivery -- no cattle reported; 10-17 day delivery -- no cattle reported; 17-30 day delivery -- no cattle reported. According to the closing report, the national hog base is $0.22 lower compared with the Prior Day settlement ($54.00-$60.50 weighted average $59.28). The corn futures moved lower in light activity. March futures were 1 cent lower Wednesday. The Dow Jones Index is 36 points lower with the Nasdaq up 13 points.

LIVE CATTLE

Most live cattle futures saw triple-digit losses following the sharp tumble in feeder cattle trade ($0.52 to $1.27 lower). The combination of lower cash cattle trade, weakness in beef values through the morning and outside market pressure led early narrow market moves to develop into sharp pressure as closing bell approached. This may spark some additional late-week market liquidation that could further depress nearby and deferred contracts over the next couple of days. Beef cut-outs: lower, $2.52 lower (select, $184.11) and down $2.68 (choice, $206.40) with moderate-to-good demand and moderate offerings (82 loads of choice cuts, 45 loads of select cuts, 19 loads of trimmings, 23 loads of coarse grinds).

THURSDAY'S CASH CATTLE CALL:

Steady with Wednesday's trade. It is uncertain just how much additional cash cattle trade will develop through late afternoon and during the evening, but the tone of the market is likely set given the pressure in futures trade. With prices generally $2 to $3 per cwt lower than last week, feeders will focus on the strong pressure in futures markets as they assess the opportunity to let cattle go at lower prices.

FEEDER CATTLE:

Strong price pressure has developed across the feeder cattle market for the second straight session ($1.65 to $2.02 lower). Even though traders pushed price levels off of session lows, the overall lack of support in the market continues to create additional market pressure and draw increased liquidation to all cattle markets. Front-month futures have fallen nearly $10 per cwt in the last week, creating widespread concern through the market. CME cash feeder index for 12/05 is $156.11 down $0.19.

LEAN HOGS:

Strong price pressure redeveloped across most of the hog trade with the combination of fundamental pressure and spillover selling from the cattle market pushing prices lower ($0.22 to $1.55 lower). The most aggressive pressure developed in February through May contracts as February futures pushed price levels below $70 per cwt. This move may start to erode previous support seen in November as traders have now taken out the test of support seen through the end of last month. Although there still remains a focus on growing demand, further market correction may develop. Carcass values tumbled sharply lower with losses in all but rib and belly markets. This caused increased pressure across the complex through midweek. Pork cut-out: $82.75 down $2.03. CME cash lean index for 12/4 $64.35, up $0.43. DTN Projected lean index for 12/05 $64.85 up $0.50.

THURSDAY'S CASH HOG CALL:

Steady. Despite the continued pressure in futures trade and overall softness starting to develop in pork values, cash markets are expected to remain mostly steady through the next couple of days. Packers will continue to fuel the aggressive procurement levels seen through the week, as hogs continue to be available. Thursday's slaughter is expected at 465,000 head with an expected Saturday run at 215,000 head.