Beef finishing performance boosted by switch to slow release conditioner

6 July 2016Replacing sodium bicarbonate buffer in beef finishing rations with a slow release rumen conditioner can increase growth rate by 7% and feed efficiency by 5%, according to the results of a recent University of Milan trial. The change also reduced the incidence of bloat, lameness and aggressive behaviour. The trial used 126 Charolais bulls grown from around 530kg LW to finishing at 750kg LW. In addition to an ad lib mixed ration based on maize silage and brewers’ grains, cattle received either 80g/head/day of sodium bicarbonate or 40g/head/day of the slow release rumen