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Francis L. Fluharty, Ph.D.

The major nutritional requirements are: water, energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins.  In many cases, beef producers do a good job of providing adequate water, energy, and protein.  However, many beef producers buy 'cheap' minerals, ignoring the fact that the availability of the minerals in the oxide form in many of these mixes are only 10 to 20% as absorbable by the animal as the sulfate, chloride, or organic, or chelated, forms (when minerals are metals bound to an organic compound such as an amino acid such as in zinc methionine or organic selenium in seleno methionine) (Spears, 2003) in more expensive mineral mixes.  The advantage of more available forms of minerals are seen when stress increases.  Consider the fact that weather can be a stress, whether it's extreme heat or cold, and that working cattle at breeding, vaccination, and weaning can be stressors. So, why do so many producers buy minerals that don't provide the best nutrition to the animal when they need it most, and buy the cheapest mineral instead?  Download complete story

Missed Alltech's 27th International Animal Health & Nutrition Industry Symposium? No worries - You can find highlight videos and pictures from this spectacular event on Alltech's website!

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For the 27th year, people from around the world joined together to share ideas. For more highlights from Alltech's 27th Symposium go to Innovations, our science and agriculture blog.

Join us in 2012 for the Alltech 28th International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium, which will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

A Quick Word From Manager Jerry Bohn of Pratt Feeders - A Beef Connection Corporate Member Feed Yard

June 12, 2011

Atypical Interstitial Pneumonia (AIP) has become a much bigger animal health challenge over the past few years. There may be several reasons for this, but the real cause and a viable solution to curing this disease are quite elusive.

Consulting Veterinarian, Dr. Scott MacGregor points out the disease tends to show up when temperatures increase. It also appears to show up in the high-quality, high-performing, big-eating cattle. Cattle with the best genetics appear to be the most susceptible to the disease. In our quest to get the best possible performance out of these cattle, we are challenging them more aggressively than ever before. We are feeding hotter rations, using more aggressive implant strategies, and using feed additives (Optiflex and Zilmax) that push the animals harder the last 30 to 40 days on feed. These feed additives help keep the cattle converting feed more efficiently at the end of the feeding period. They also appear to have a positive impact on hot carcass yield at the packing plant for cattle sold on a grid. If you are concerned by the possible influence of these products on death loss from AIP, it is certainly your option to not feed these products to your cattle.

I know it is disheartening to lose a steer or heifer right before they are ready to ship. I hope the AIP summary will help answer some of the questions you may have about this disease. If we can answer any further questions, please call.

Note: You can download the official AIP letter and summary here.