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Feed Additives for Beef Cattle

The feed store shelf is full of products that promise better gain, healthier cattle or lower costs. Some additives have solid purposes. Others are mostly marketing. Knowing how to ask questions saves money and protects your cattle.

What counts as a feed additive

A feed additive is any ingredient added to feed for a particular purpose besides basic nutrition. That can include substances that affect rumen function, help control parasites, support digestion or improve feed handling.

Some additives are approved for specific uses and come with labels that govern how they must be used. Others are sold as supplements with looser claims. Learn which category a product belongs in. Some products on the shelf look like feed additives but are actually sold as ordinary supplements, and the rules for them are not always the same. Ask the dealer to explain which kind of product you are looking at.

How additives are regulated

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration oversees many feed ingredients and drugs used in feed. Some additives require specific approval, and some are subject to veterinary oversight. Rules change, so check with FDA or your veterinarian instead of assuming.

If a product is meant to treat or prevent disease, additional rules may apply, including those that involve a veterinarian. Ask your vet if you are unsure. Rules differ for feed made at a mill, mixed on the farm and bought as a ready-made supplement. If you mix your own, ask your veterinarian or FDA about what is allowed and what records you need.

• Is the product approved for cattle?
• Is it approved for my class of cattle?
• What does the label say about use and duration?
• Does a veterinarian need to be involved?

Judging a product's claims

Be skeptical of products that promise miracle results. Ask for evidence from independent sources such as university research, and ask your extension specialist or nutritionist for their view. Beware of testimonials that are not backed by data.

Think about cost. Compare what you would pay for a product with what you could reasonably expect to gain, and remember that results vary between operations. A good question to ask any dealer is simple: what is the evidence this works for cattle like mine, and who did the study? Be wary of answers that rely on stories from other customers.

Fit within the whole ration

No additive fixes a poor ration. Forage quality, mineral balance, water, and good management come first. Ask your nutritionist to review the whole program before adding anything.

Some additives interact with others, and some are only useful in certain diets. Keep the nutritionist informed of everything you feed. When you do try a new product, change one thing at a time. If you add three things at once, you will never know which one helped or which one caused a problem.

Safety, storage and handling

Follow label directions exactly, including mixing instructions and cautions for other species. Store products securely and keep records of what was fed. Clean mixers after use to avoid cross-contamination.

Be careful with products that can harm horses, dogs or people. Follow manufacturer, OSHA and extension guidance for handling feed ingredients. Keep original bags, tags and labels until the feed is gone, and photograph them. If a problem comes up later, this is the first thing your vet or nutritionist will want to see.

Stewardship, residues and programs

Follow all withdrawal times for any product that requires one, and keep careful records. Residue avoidance protects the beef supply and your buyer relationships. Beef Quality Assurance training provides a good framework.

Check whether buyers or certification programs restrict certain additives. Residue problems can affect your reputation and your sales. A little record keeping up front is cheaper than answering questions after the fact.

Common mistakes and what to ask

Common mistakes include buying on a sales pitch, using products outside the label, skipping the nutritionist and failing to track results. Another is adding product after product without knowing which ones help.

Ask your nutritionist: What problem does this solve, and is there another way? Ask your vet: Is any regulatory step involved? Ask the dealer for the label and supporting research. Keep a log of what you feed, the date you started, the date you stopped and any changes in performance or health. After a season you will have your own evidence instead of someone else's claims.

• Do not use outside the label
• Do not skip the nutritionist
• Do not add products without tracking results

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