As meat labelled with no antibiotics ever (NAE) becomes an increasing preference in many households, the animal industry is faced with the challenge of maintaining animal productivity while also meeting consumer preferences. So, how will they rise to the challenge? Through innovative solutions that start on the farm.
Seeking solutions
As the routine feeding of antibiotics becomes more unavailable, producers are searching for products and managerial changes that help cattle thrive and perform well. Rumen health and immune function are important factors producers keep in mind when looking for non-antibiotic interventions.
Substitute products should address those areas to effectively maintain and bolster the health of feedlot cattle on the farm. This need is especially heightened as antibiotics are being increasingly restricted in production. By supplementing diets with feed additives that improve cattle from the inside out, overall health of the herd improves and ultimately decreases the opportunity for foodborne pathogens to spread, improving meat hanging on the rail.
Feedlot study
A recent study1 at a commercial feedlot in Kansas examined the performance impact of replacing Tylan®, a therapeutic cattle feed additive, with feed additive CELMANAX™.
CELMANAX includes Refined Functional Carbohydrates™ (RFCs™) that build resilient cattle, support rumen fermentation and digestion, and prepare immune systems ahead of challenges. Combined, the benefits allow animals to respond quickly when challenges occur. All cattle in the trial received Rumensin®, a feed additive that improves feed efficiency.
In the study, 3,641 yearling heifers with similar, known nutritional backgrounds received one of these three study treatments:
- Feedyard control (current practice): Rumensin (430 mg/head/day) and Tylan (85 mg/head/day)
- Rumensin and CELMANAX SCP* (2 g/head/day)
- Rumensin, CELMANAX SCP and Tylan
Benefits that go beyond the farm
Researchers saw no changes in live animal performance nor carcass results when removing Tylan and no synergy when both CELMANAX and Tylan were administered together. Liver abscess control was shown to be better in animals receiving Tylan, but did not improve cattle performance over those fed CELMANAX. In cattle receiving the CELMANAX and CELMANAX + Tylan treatments, pathogen E. coli prevalence was significantly reduced and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli continually decreased over the course of the trial.
By reducing pathogenic bacteria on the farm, animals can enter processing plants with reduced incoming loads, making it easier to control the spread of foodborne pathogens through the processing facility.
Overall, cattle fed CELMANAX performed as well as those receiving Tylan. This is promising news for producers already in or looking to expand into the NAE market. CELMANAX bolsters cattle performance and prepares them for stressors, health challenges and environmental factors that would otherwise negatively impact productivity.
To learn more about CELMANAX, visit AHfoodchain.com.
*Refers to the form of CELMANAX used in the study: Soluble Concentrated Powder.
1 Effect of Feeding CELMANAX™ With or Without Tylan® to Yearling Heifers Fed High Energy Diets Containing Rumensin®. ARM & HAMMER report, 2020. Data on file.
Written by Dr. Elliot Block
Source: Research Fellow and Director of Research, November 05, 2020
