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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.