Protein supplements for beef cattle:
Protein supplements for beef cattle enhance muscle growth and improve feed conversion efficiency. The increased muscle mass results in better meat yield and potentially improved tenderness.
Vitamin and mineral supplements for beef cattle:
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting muscle tissues from oxidative damage. This improves oxidative stability, extending shelf life and maintaining color and flavor.
Selko AO Mix contains a mix of plant polyphenols and is an effective antioxidant for partial vitamin E replacement. The carefully selected polyphenols in Selko AO Mix can provide the antioxidant protection needed by an animal and partly replace more
expensive vitamin E in beef cattle diets (see Figures 1 and 2). This results in a multi-pronged and cost efficient approach that offers broad protection against free radicals.
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is essential for growth, immune function, and overall health of beef cattle. Vitamin A supports healthy growth, contributing to higher quality meat.
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption and is therefore essential for bone health of beef cattle. Vitamin D in cattle enhances bone and muscle development, leading to better meat texture and tenderness.
Selenium:
Selenium works with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Selenium for beef cattle enhances oxidative stability, preventing rancidity maintaining color and extending shelf life of beef cattle meat.
Zinc:
Zinc is crucial for protein synthesis and immune function of beef cattle. Zinc in beef cattle promotes healthy growth and muscle development, improving tenderness and juiciness of meat. A trial5 carried out with Selko IntelliBond Z showed that Increasing the level of zinc in a beef diet tended (p = 0.13) to increase marbling score.
Iron:
Iron is vital for oxygen transport in the blood. Iron in beef diets contributes to maintaining a bright red color, indicative of freshness and high quality of meat.
The source of trace mineral supplementation for feedlot cattle also has an impact on carcass quality. In a trial carried out by the Colorado State University4, the effect on carcass quality of steers of feeding Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals was compared to feeding sulphates or a combination of organic trace minerals and sulphates (see Table 1).
Marbling score |
411.1 |
4414.5 |
438.5 |
% ⋜ Average score |
7.2% |
9.9% |
20.6% |
% ⋜ low score |
49.3% |
53.5% |
60.3% |
% Select |
47.8% |
65.1% |
38.2% |
% Below elect |
2.9% |
1.4% |
1.5% |
% Dark cutters |
9.0% |
1.4% |
2.9% |
% Liver abscesses |
42.0% |
43.7% |
34.3% |
Table 1: Impact on carcass quality parameters and on percentage of liver abscesses of feeding beef cattle a diet with 100% zinc and copper sulphate, a combination of 25% organic zinc and copper and 75% zinc and copper sulphate or 100% Selko IntelliBond Z and Selko IntelliBond C