Animal Science, Department of
Date of this Version
2025
Citation
2025 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, pages 53-55
University of Nebraska Extension, 2025
Abstract
Summary with Implications
A feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding two different natural feed additives, Prime Force and Optipartum C+, on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were applied as a 2×2 factorial that included a control diet with no additive; a diet containing Prime Force; a diet containing Optipartum C+; and a diet containing both Prime Force and Optipartum C+ combined. Treatment diets were fed the last 67 d prior to slaughter as designed. Cattle fed Prime Force had greater live final body weight, carcass weight, intake, and average daily gain compared to cattle not fed Prime Force but due to increased intake and gain, no impact was observed on feed conversion. Feeding Optipartum C+ resulted in increased hot carcass weight and carcass-adjusted final BW as well as greater ADG which led to a small improvement in feed conversion compared to cattle fed no Optipartum C+. These data suggest that adding Prime Force to finishing diets improved gain and hot carcass weight, while feeding Optipartum C+ improved gain without increasing intake. No interaction suggests combining the two was additive resulting in 24 lb of carcass weight and 42 lb of live weight for the combination treatment compared to no additives.
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons
Comments
Copyright 2025, Board of Regents, University of Nebraska. Used by permission