DES MOINES, IOWA (RFD NEWS) — Livestock producers are using a natural feed ingredient to support digestive health and animal performance, with recent feedlot research showing potential benefits in cattle.
Paul Mitchell with Imogene Ingredients joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share more about the company and its cornerstone product, Farmatan, and promising results from a recent feedlot trial conducted by the University of Nebraska.
The company has handled Farmatan for about nine years, but the ingredient has a longer history in Europe, where it has been used in livestock feeding programs focused on animal health and performance.
Nebraska Feedlot Trial
In his interview with RFD News, Mitchell said a recent University of Nebraska feedlot trial included about 168 head of cattle over 140 days.
The study evaluated two different Farmatan feeding rates alongside standard feedlot diets containing other expected feed additives.
Mitchell said both feeding rates showed an advantage compared with the standard feedlot diet.
At the higher feeding rate, cattle had a 33-pound live-weight advantage, which translated to a 21-pound advantage in hot carcass weight.
“We saw dry matter intake stay up during the summer,” Mitchell said.
He said the ingredient’s impact on the animal’s immune system and nutritional needs may have helped cattle handle stress, including summer heat.
Mitchell also said the trial showed improved feed efficiency and a significant reduction in liver abscesses.
“Liver abscess was reduced quite significantly, almost 30 percent compared to control,” Mitchell said.
He said the cattle also showed improvements in yield and grade.
Supporting Digestive Health
Mitchell said producers often begin using Farmatan during periods of stress, including when receiving cattle or weaning calves.
He said the ingredient works directly on the integrity of the gut lining.
“When animals are under stress or with weaning, for example, certain pathogens like clostridia, coccidiosis, E. coli, those all create permeability or weakness in the gut lining,” Mitchell said.
He said Farmatan can help support the integrity of that lining, which may contribute to fewer health problems and improved performance.
Multiple Feeding Applications
Mitchell said Farmatan can be used in several feeding programs, not just as a standalone concentrate.
“It works very well directly on the ranch or the feed yard as the concentrate in the TMR,” Mitchell said. “Or you can add it suspended in liquid feed or added at the premix.”
LEARN MORE: www.imogeneingredients.com
