Feeding cattle for resilency under stress

By: Dr. Neil Michael, Manager, Ruminant Technical Services, Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production

Keeping every animal out of the sick pen is the holy grail of the cattle feeder—constantly sought after, but seldom achieved.

Considering the myriad of stresses facing feedlot cattle—trucking across perhaps hundreds of miles, adjusting to new pen mates and coping with inclement weather—it’s no wonder that cattle are susceptible to disease-causing pathogens. Although it’s impossible to prevent every stressor or eliminate all pathogens from the environment, producers can help cattle respond to these challenges by supporting immunity through gut health.

Maintaining a healthy gut through proper nutrition goes hand-in-hand with vaccination to deliver an optimal immune response that can help cattle overcome stress, stay out of the sick pen and maintain optimal gains.

Gut: First line of defense

The gut is a critical piece of the immune system. In fact, 70 percent of a bovine animal’s immune defense cells are associated with the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the gut lining is a strategic opportunity for producers to provide real time protection and reduce the risk of disease-causing pathogens and toxins entering the animal’s system.

Whether a disease is caused by E. coli, aflatoxin, Salmonella or some other pathogen, the gut is the primary point of attack in the animal’s body. Although each pathogen’s effect on the animal is different, once ingested all target the gut lining. Therefore, the gut is the first line of defense against most diseases. Additionally, a healthy gut avoids energy drains from unnecessary immune responses so animals can maintain health and performance.

By managing immune response more proactively and effectively in the gut, cattle feeders may be able to enhance animal health and performance and reduce the need for antibiotic treatments.

Feeding for better gut health

There is growing interest in using nutrition to enhance gut health for better immune response. Multiple research studies demonstrate that feeding Refined Functional Carbohydrates™ (RFCs™) can help maintain a healthy gut by managing the natural microbial populations and immune response in cattle digestive systems.

RFCs support the beneficial bacteria found in the intestine while blocking sites for pathogens to attach to the intestinal lining. These feed additives also support optimal rumen fermentation and digestion and reduce the effects of toxins, such as mycotoxins, in feed.

Maintaining a healthier gut by feeding RFCs helps maintain nutrient uptake, leading to better feed efficiency and animal performance because animals are able to devote energy to all functions, instead of fighting off infections or struggling to maintain feed intake.

Real-world trial results

In one trial in Texas,1 two truckloads of heifers were fed either a control diet or one containing RFCs for the first 35 days after arrival at the feed yard. The newly received heifers experienced heat stress conditions in addition to experiencing the stress of shipping. At the end of the feeding period, heifers supplemented with RFCs had these results compared with the control group:

•12 percent higher average daily gain (ADG) in the first 14 days

•8 percent higher ADG over the full 35-day feeding period

•61 percent fewer cases of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) (Figure 1.)

•Reduced BRD treatment costs translated into a $9.90 per head economic advantage2 to using RFCs over the 35-day receiving period

Reducing stress response

Another trial at Clemson University3 showed how feeding RFCs helps animals cope with stress. Seventy-two Angus x Hereford heifers were abruptly weaned at 227 days of age and moved to pens in groups of four. For 60 days, heifers received a total mixed ration (TMR) containing either RFCs fed at 18 grams per head per day, or no RFC supplementation. After 60 days of feeding, researchers randomly selected two animals per pen and subjected them to two, four-hour truck rides followed by four hours of feed withholding—simulating real-world transportation stress conditions. Measurements showed that heifers receiving RFCs recorded:

•Lower concentrations of cortisol in their blood compared with controls, both before and after transport. Cortisol is a hormone released from the adrenal glands and is a routine indicator of the level of stress an animal is experiencing

•Reduced levels of C. perfringens, Salmonella and total E. coli

•Increased body weight gain and feed efficiency

Performance on the hoof and on the rail

The benefits of enhanced immunity through feeding RFCs translate into performance benefits all the way to the packing house. A California trial4 compared performance and carcass weight of feedlot steers during a 336-day feeding trial. Researchers at the University of California-Davis fed 168 calf-fed Holstein steers a diet based on steam-flaked corn, supplemented with RFCs at levels of either 1, 2 or 3 grams per head per day. Control animals received no RFC supplementation. Results showed that feeding RFCs at the 1 gram per day level (88 mg/lb.) resulted in:

•Higher ADG—3.17 lbs. per day compared with 2.97 for controls

•Greater dry matter intake (DMI) —average 18.5 lbs. per day compared with 17.2 lbs. for controls

•34 lbs. higher carcass weight—average 842 lbs. compared with 808 lbs. for controls

Healthy gut, healthier bottom line

Ultimately, maintaining a healthy gut enables animals to devote energy to body maintenance and growth—instead of mounting immune responses that detract from nutrient uptake. It’s important to keep in mind that changing consumer preferences and government regulations may require cattle producers to adjust their antibiotic protocols now and in the future. By managing immune response more proactively and effectively, producers may be able to reduce dependence on antibiotic solutions. Natural nutritional tools like RFCs help support animal health and efficiency by supporting immunity and enhancing an animal’s ability to stave off infections. That means cattle can focus energy on growth and gain, leading to greater financial health for your operation.

References

1 Ponce CH, Schutz JS, Elrod CC, Anele UY, Galyean ML. Effects of dietary supplementation of a yeast product on performance and morbidity of newly received beef heifers. Prof Anim Sci 2012;28:618-622. Research Bulletin B-77.

2 Adapted from the data of: Ponce, et al. Prof Anim Sci 2012;28:618-622.

3 McCarty KJ, Tipton, JE, Ricks RE, Danielo J, Thompson JS, Long, NM. Effects of post-weaning supplementation of immunomodulatory feed ingredient on cortisol concentrations and microbial populations in programmed fed beef heifers. (Submitted for publication 2019.)

4 Salinas-Chavira J, Montano MF, Torrentera N, Zinn RA. Influence of feeding enzymatically hydrolysed yeast cell wall+yeast culture on growth performance of calffed Holstein steers, Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2018;46:327-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2017 .1299742

WANT TO AVOID RECEIVING PERIOD STRESS THAT LEADS TO BRD?

Great minds think alike.

Stress doesn’t get me down. I keep eating and gaining the way I should, even in the most stressful times. But I don’t do it alone. CELMANAX™ gives me the Refined Functional Carbohydrates™ (RFCs™) I need to build resilience to challenges before they happen, so I can maintain my health.

#ScienceHearted

To learn more about CELMANAX contact your nutritionist, veterinarian or ARM & HAMMER™ representative or visit AHanimalnutrition.com