Top-dressing of the different feed additives is effective to prevent lameness and to increase feedlot cattle performance during a short-term period

Abstract

In order to compare three feed additives on occurrence of lameness and their effects on performance, 200 Holstein bull calves were used in a completely randomised design. Calves were group fed a similar basal diet for a 42-day experimental period. The treatments used in the study included: (1) basal diet without feed additive (BD), (2) basal diet plus 50 g/d bicarbonate sodium (SB), (3) basal diet plus 7 g/d organic micro-mineral complex including amino acid complex of Cu, Zn, Mn and glucoheptonate Co (MM) and (4) basal diet plus 3 g/d ZnSO 4 (ZS). All of feed additives were delivered as a top-dressing. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), gain:feed (G:F) ratio and blood metabolites were evaluated in this research. Experimental treatments did not affect dry matter intake (DMI). ADG during total period was affected (PB0.05) by treatments and was more in ZS, SB and MM, respectively. Similar pattern was observed for G:F ratio (P B0.002). The prevalence of lameness was higher in BD group than in the experimental groups, with highest effect in SB treatments (odds ratio03.24, P00.05) and with relatively high effect in MM and ZS (odds ratio02.54, P 00.1). Generally, our results show that feeding feed additives as top-dressing, such as those were used in the current study, can have an efficient role in reducing lameness occurrence and increasing profitability in feedlot farms.

Impact of Nutrients on the Hoof Health in Cattle

“…Laminitis may appear as a primary condition, but it is more often secondary to rumen acidosis [ 9 , 10 , 15 , 42 , 81 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ], in which the risk of lameness increases [ 26 , 66 , 71 , 92 ]. Fructans and glucose have been shown to increase lactic acid production, thereby increasing the risk of laminitis [ 93 ].…”

“…The administration of concentrated feed increases the production costs and improves animal production, because it increases daily weight gain and shortens fattening time [ 87 ]. As carbohydrates increase, fiber, saliva production, and chewing time decrease in the feed, and consequently the rumen pH decreases [ 26 , 27 , 35 , 42 , 94 ] due to the higher concentration of lactic acid produced by bacteria [ 9 , 26 , 40 ].…”

“…The use of modifiers has not been sufficiently investigated to determine whether they affect the health of the hooves [ 93 ]. A buffer in the form of a sodium bicarbonate supplement in the feed ration alleviates the decrease in rumen pH, which is observed in rumen acidosis [ 42 ].…”

“…Significant trace elements, such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu), are essential cofactors for a large number of enzymes [ 26 , 27 , 42 , 75 ], including those that are involved in keratin production, which are therefore associated with hoof health [ 26 , 42 , 74 , 75 ] and play a substantial role in maintaining redox balance and healthy development of the horn [ 27 ].…”

“…The study by Kaniyamattam et al [ 39 ] reports lameness is second only to mastitis [ 39 ]. Economic losses in the affected herds are associated with treatment costs and the decrease in milk production [ 6 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 23 , 24 , 27 , 28 , 31 , 33 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Direct costs include treatment, a visit to a veterinarian or trimmer and the time required, the cost of extra time for farmers, and the cost of discarded milk.…”