Direct-fed microbials for receiving cattle II: Effects of ProTernative stress formula fed in a dry suspension on growth, feed intake, and health of receiving beef heifers (2012)

Authors

A.V. Siverson
M.E. Corrigan
James J. Higgins
Dale A. Blasi
Brandon E. Oleen

Keywords

Cattlemen's Day, 2012; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 12-231-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 1065; Beef Cattle Research, 2012 is known as Cattlemen's Day, 2012; Beef; Microbials; ProTernative stress formula; Growth; Feed intake; Health

Abstract

Enhanced preconditioning and nutritional management strategies are needed industrywide as a means of controlling stress and related health problems for freshly arrived stocker calves. Direct-fed microbials are feed additives that stimulate natural, nonpathogenic gut flora in an attempt to stimulate competition against potentially pathogenic gut flora. Previous research involving direct-fed microbials offered in a liquid suspension to lightweight stocker calves produced no effects on growth or health performance. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of a directfed microbial offered as a dry suspension on feed intake, average daily gain, and morbidity of highly stressed beef heifers.

Recommended Citation

Siverson, A.V.; Corrigan, M.E.; Higgins, James J.; Blasi, Dale A.; and Oleen, Brandon E. (2012) "Direct-fed microbials for receiving cattle II: Effects of ProTernative stress formula fed in a dry suspension on growth, feed intake, and health of receiving beef heifers (2012)," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1414