When choosing a show cattle feed additive, you must keep a few things in mind. Here’s what you should know about High Octane(r) and Growth implants. Also, look for ionophores and prebiotics. These can help improve the digestive system of your cattle. These products also include Direct Fed Microbials. All of these ingredients have specific advantages for your cattle. Listed below are the most common ones.
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High Octane(r)
The high-protein formula HIGH OCTANE(r) Fitter 35(r) is designed for all show cattle. This supplement supports lean tissue growth and helps your cattle put on weight. It also contains no copper. High Octane also makes a supplement for pigs. Pigs and poultry benefit from the high-protein content of HIGH OCTANE Supplement. It is available for both breeds of cattle and pigs.
The Champion Drive(r) Topdress from High Octane(r) contains Tasco(r) for increased immune function. It is also a source of supplemental protein and is a superior energy boost for all classes of show cattle. The Champion Drive(r) supplement is a highly palatable and powerful dietary supplement. Whether you’re competing in a regional, national, or international show, High Octane is the best choice for your show cattle’s diet.
Growth implants
There are many benefits to using growth implants as show cattle feed additives. First, these products have been used in the beef cattle industry for years. The first commercial implant was introduced in 1957 and was adopted widely in the cattle feeding and stocker industries. According to the 2011 USDA NAHMS Feedlot Survey, up to 94% of steers were implanted during the finishing phase. Growth implants can also be used during the nursing phase to increase calf body weight.
A growing number of countries now use anabolic growth promoter implants. The effectiveness of this product lies in its ability to increase carcass weight, feed conversion and feeding efficiency. They are also beneficial in the finishing system because they increase the profit of feeding cattle. Growth implants have a long history in the beef industry, but producers must be sure they are able to offset the cost of the product with the appropriate premiums.
Prebiotics
Several livestock species have benefited from the addition of prebiotics to their diets. Increasing consumption of these ingredients may improve the animal’s productivity later in life. However, the potential side effects of prebiotics are unclear. While this ingredient does not increase milk production, it might be useful for the ruminant industry. Here are some benefits of prebiotics in show cattle feed additives. These additives are nondigestible, provide readily available substrate for normal bacteria and are safe for cattle.
Probiotics are beneficial for ruminants’ GI microbial ecosystem, which is deeply involved in nutrition and animal health. However, a further study is required to identify which of the prebiotics is most effective in enhancing animal performance. This new research can help to identify other, more effective alternatives for animal production. If you’re interested in adding these beneficial bacteria to your show cattle feed, contact an experienced nutritionist today.
Ionophores
Ionophores, which are natural plant compounds, are growing in popularity as feed additives for the show cattle industry. These chemicals boost ADG and reduce DMI, and increase profitability in a number of ways, depending on their use and the cattle’s profitability potential. One such compound is monensin, which was discovered by Raun and used in the cattle industry. Monensin reduces the rate of protein degradation in the rumen, increasing feed protein utilization by 3.5 percentage units.
However, while they are beneficial to cattle, ionophores should not be used in equine or swine diets. While ionophores can be metabolized in the liver, they are not used by these species for human consumption. Instead, they are excreted in bile and feces. In contrast, equine animals have an impaired ability to metabolize ionophores, so they should not be used as show cattle feed additives.
Direct-fed microbials
Often referred to as pre and probiotics, direct-fed microbials (DFM) are used to enhance the health and productivity of dairy cattle. DFMs are classified according to their bacterial or fungal components. Fungal products include Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Bacteria-based products are typically based on Lactobacillus, while those containing Megasphaera are typically derived from Propionibacterium, Enterococcus, or Propionibacterium.
Direct-fed microbials are bacterial or fungal cultures added to feed to increase the digestibility and absorption of nutrients and improve rumen function. Specifically, the bacteria in these products produce lactic acid and improve the environment in the rumen. Direct-fed microbials also improve feed efficiency. Consequently, direct-fed microbials can increase the milk yield of dairy cows and enhance their performance.
Enzymes
Using enzymes in show cattle feed additives is an effective way to help these animals produce milk and reduce enteric methane emissions. The Feeds Act lists approved sources for enzymes and enzyme products, and the US Food and Drug Administration has strict rules regarding adding new organisms. For this reason, enzymes and products derived from them must be approved by the FDA before use in animal feed. However, some producers use these products as an alternative to enzymes in show cattle diets.
Adding enzyme solutions to a diet is more effective than adding a dry product to improve the digestion of complex polymers. Enzymes require water in order to work properly. Water is required for hydrolysis, which is necessary to release soluble sugars from complex polymers. However, the enzyme activity can be limited when there is not enough water in the environment. One such high-moisture environment is silage, which typically makes up a large part of a cattle’s diet and contributes significantly to the fiber fraction.
