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Enhancing growth performance of beef cattle in feedlots
Feed costs are an important contributor to the total costs of a beef feedlot operation. An important goal for beef feedlots is to maximize growth performance and efficiency. Achieving optimal average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion is vital for profitability and sustainability in this industry. However, several challenges can impair growth performance, necessitating effective management practices focused on animal nutrition, trace mineral management, and hindgut health.
Challenges limiting growth performance of beef in feedlot cattle
Feedlot operators face numerous challenges that can negatively impact beef cattle growth performance. Stressors such as transportation, abrupt dietary changes, and exposure to new pathogens can reduce feed intake and nutrient absorption, thereby lowering feed efficiency and average daily gain of beef cattle. Additionally, suboptimal nutrition, especially inadequate or poorly absorbed trace minerals, can compromise metabolic functions and immune response, further hindering growth.
Feedlot cattle nutrition for optimal growth
A balanced and nutrient-dense diet is essential for maximizing growth performance in feedlot cattle. Diets rich in energy and protein are necessary to support rapid weight gain and muscle development. High-quality forages and grains are typically used, but the nutritional content must be carefully monitored and adjusted to meet the specific needs of the cattle. Consistent and gradual dietary transitions and proper bunk management help minimize digestive upsets, maintain feed intake, and sustain growth rates. Feed additives can result in a further increase of feed efficiency and average daily gain. A trial1 with Selko Fytera Advance showed and increase of ADG of 5% and an 8% improvement of the feed efficiency during the finishing phase.
Figure 1: Selko IntelliBond supplementation of beef cattle consistently increased hot carcass weight in finishing beef cattle compared to sulphates (Figure 1a) and compared to organic trace mineral sources (Figure 1b).
Effective trace mineral management of feedlot cattle
Traditional trace mineral sources for beef cattle such as sulfates and oxides have a low bioavailability in ruminants, meaning that cattle absorb only a small fraction of the provided minerals. This inefficiency can lead to deficiencies, even when diets appear sufficient in trace minerals, resulting in impaired growth, weakened immune systems, and reduced feed efficiency. Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals represent a significant advancement in trace mineral supplementation. Their unique chemical structure enhances stability and bioavailability, ensuring that a higher percentage of the mineral is absorbed and utilized by the cattle. Research2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 has shown that cattle supplemented with hydroxy trace minerals exhibit improved weight gain compared to those receiving traditional mineral forms (see Figure 1). This improved absorption supports metabolic processes, boosts immune function, and enhances overall health, leading to better growth performance.
Figure 2: Average Daily Gain of female beef cattle and Average Daily Gain of male beef cattle fed a diet containing Selko LactiBute for beef cattle compared to a diet without Selko LactiBute.
Maintaining hindgut health of beef cattle fed high energy diets
A high-energy diet, typically rich in grains, is essential for maximizing growth and efficiency in feedlot cattle. However, it can negatively impact hindgut health. Rapid fermentation of starches in the hindgut can lead to acidosis, causing inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. This can result "leaky gut" which leads to systemic inflammation. This results in a change of energy partition in beef, with energy being used to support the immune system. This energy will not be available for growth, resulting in a decrease of feed efficiency and average daily gain of beef cattle. Managing diet composition and incorporating fiber or feed additives can help maintain hindgut health, promoting better overall digestion and reducing the risk of health issues related to high-energy feeding regimes. Prebiotics, non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, can significantly enhance hindgut health. By fostering a balanced microbial environment, prebiotics improve digestive health and nutrient absorption.
Selko LactiBute contains rumen protected calcium gluconate, a prebiotic that increases the level of volatile fatty acids in the hindgut of beef cattle16, resulting in an improvement of hindgut health17, a reduction of systemic inflammation and an improvement of average daily gain18,19 (see Table 1 and Figure 2). Incorporating Selko LactiBute into feedlot diets can thus play a significant role in maintaining hindgut health and optimizing growth performance.
| Control | Selko LactiBute | P-value | |
| Bodyweight day 3 | 416.8 kg | 416.8 Kg | - |
| Bodyweight day 188 | 699.8 Kg | 706.8 Kg | ❮ 0.01 |
| ADG, kg/head/d | 1.52 | 1.56 | ❮ 0.01 |
| FCR | 7.51 | 6.90 | ❮ 0.01 |
| Hot carcass weight, kg | 418.4 kg | 422.3 kg | ❮ 0.06 |
Improving feed efficiency and average daily gain of feedlot cattle
Achieving optimal growth performance and efficiency in feedlots requires addressing various challenges through strategic management practices. By focusing on precise animal nutrition, effective trace mineral management, and maintaining hindgut health, feedlot operators can significantly enhance average daily gain and overall productivity. Innovative feed additives for beef cattle like Selko IntelliBond2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15, Selko LactiBute16,17,18,19 and Selko Fytera Advance1 offer advanced solutions to these challenges, providing enhanced bioavailability and digestive health benefits. Implementing these additives can lead to improved growth performance and better feed efficiency of beef cattle, and a more profitable and sustainable feedlot operation.
Navigating the daily operations of dairy and beef farming is challenging, and the transition towards sustainable practices raises numerous questions.
Selko ruminant specialists are dedicated to help you assess and address these challenges effectively. For personalized support and expert advice on achieving sustainable and profitable farming, get in touch with our team today.
Thank you for contacting us. Your form has been successfully submitted, and a confirmation email with further details is on its way to you. In the meantime, we invite you to explore more about our innovative solutions and best practices for sustainable dairy and beef farming on our website.
References about growth performance in feedlots
Ribeiro, T.L.M, Grimes Francis, B, Smith, Z.K, Francis, F.L, Ross, C, Heldt, J, Rusche, W.C. and E.H. Wall (2024). Evaluation of a phytogenic blend on growth performance, health, carcass traits, and efficiency of dietary net energy utilization in finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci Vol. 102, Suppl. S2.
Faulkner, M.J. and W.P. Weiss (2017). Effect of source of trace minerals in either forage- or by-product-based diets fed to dairy cows: 1. Production and macronutrient digestibility, Journal of Dairy Science 100:5358-53-67.
Caldera, C.E, Weigel, B, Kucharczyk, V.N, Sellins, K.S, Archibeque, S.L, Wagner, J.J, Han, H, Spears, J.B. and T.E. Engle (2019). Trace mineral source influences ruminal distribution of copper and zinc and their binding strength to ruminal digesta. J. Anim. Sci., 97:1852-1864.
Ibraheem, M, Kvidera, S. and B. Bradford (2021). Meta-analysis to determine the impact of trace mineral source on nutrient digestibility in dairy and beef animals. J. Dairy Sci. 104:97.
Spears, J. W., E. B. Kegley, and L. A. Mullis (2004). Bioavailability of copper from tribasic copper chloride and copper sulfate in growing cattle. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 116:1-13.Spears et al., 2004. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 116:1-13.
Shaeffer, G. L., K. E. Lloyd, and J. W. Spears (2017). Bioavailability of zinc hydroxychloride relative to zinc sulfate in growing cattle fed a corn-cottonseed hull-based diet. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 232:1-5.
Wagner, J. J. , T. E. Engle, E. Caldera, K. L. Neuhold, D. R. Woerner, J. W. Spears, J. S. Heldt, and S. B. Laudert (2016). The effects of zinc hydroxychloride and basic copper chloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver zinc and copper status at slaughter in yearling feedlot steers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 32:570-579.
Wagner, J., W. T. Nelson, T. Engle, J. Spears, J. Heldt, and S. Laudert (2019). Effect of zinc source and ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed in confinement to harvest. J. Anim. Sci. 97 (Suppl. 3):160.
Caldera, E., J. J. Wagner, K. Sellins, S. B. Laudert, J. W. Spears, S. L. Archibeque, and T. E. Engle (2016). Effects of supplemental zinc, copper, and manganese concentration and source on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 33:63-72.Budde et al., 2019. J. Anim. Sci. 97:1286-1295;
Spears, J.W, Loh, H.Y, , Lloyd, K.E, Heldt, J.S, and T. E. Engle (2024) Trace mineral source and chromium propionate supplementation affect performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 102:1-8.
Hilscher, F. H., S. B. Laudert, J. S. Heldt, R. J. Cooper, B. D. Dicke, T. L. Scott, and G. E. Erickson (2019). Effect of copper and zinc source on finishing performance and incidence of foot rot in feedlot steers. App. Anim. Sci. 35:94-100.
Heldt, J. S. and M. S. Davis (2019). Effects of supplemental zinc source and level on finishing performance, health, and carcass characteristics of beef feedlot steers. App. Anim. Sci. 35:379-387.
Heldt, J. S. and S. Davis. 2019. Effects of supplemental copper, zinc, and manganese source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 97 (Suppl. 2):140-141.
Heldt, J., B. Holland, A. Word, and K. Karr (2020). Effect of supplemental trace mineral source on performance, health, and carcass characteristics in finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 98 (Suppl. 4):157-158.
Budde, A. M., K. Sellins, K. E. Lloyd, J. J. Wagner, J. S. Heldt, J. W. Spears, and T. E. Engle (2019). Effect of zinc source and concentration and chromium supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 97:1286-1295.
Osman, Y., Koyun, E., Rowland, J., Lourenco, J., Baloyi, F.L., Fluharty, F., Pringle, T.D., Stewart, R.L., McCarthy, K., Griswold, K.E., and T.R. Callaway (2022). Impact of calcium gluconate feeding on intestinal microbial populations in a growing steer model. University of Georgia. Osman, Y., PhD Thesis.
Sanz-Fernandez, M.V, Daniel, J, Seymour, D.J, Kvidera, S.K, Bester, Z, Doelman, J. and J. Martín-Tereso (2020). Targeting the Hindgut to Improve Health and Performance in Cattle, Animals, 10: 1817.
Santos, A, Bergman, J.G.H.E, Manzano, J.A. and M. Hall (2023). Rumen protected calcium gluconate increases average daily gain of beef. Proceedings of the EAAP congress, Lyon, August 27-September 1, 562.
Rossi, C.A.S, Grossi, S, van Kuijk, S and S. Vandoni (2024). Effect of the administration of a protected source of calcium gluconate on growth, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, and health in beef cattle. Proceedings of the ASAS, Calgary, July 21-25.
