Effect of Optaflexx Dosage and Duration of Feeding Prior to Slaughter on Feed Conversion and Carcass Characteristics

Authors

• Grant I. Crawford, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Kyle J. Vander Pol, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Matthew A. Greenquist, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Jeffrey Folmer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Mike Van Koevering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2006

Comments

Published in 2006 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2005 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Finishing steer calves were fed 0, 100, or 200 mg/head/day of Optaflexx for the final 28, 35, or 42 days of the finishing period. Steers were started on Optaflexx treatment at one-week intervals and marketed as a single group. Feeding Optaflexx to feedlot steers increased ADG, improved F:G, and increased carcass weight. Feeding 200 mg/head/day of Optaflexx improved feed conversion by 8.1% without impacting carcass characteristics. Feeding Optaflexx at 200 mg/head/d for 28 to 42 days appears beneficial when compared with feeding diets without Optaflexx.