The discussion of antimicrobial resistance has begun to impact consumer preference and influence the implementation of certain growth-promoting technologies in the cattle feeding industry

This study evaluates the effects of a proprietary tannin blend (BX), supplemented with or without sodium monensin (MON), on beef cattle performance, carcass traits, and health. Steers (n = 2986; initial shrunk body weight (SBW) 254 ± 9.2 kg) were allocated into 48 pens (61–62 steers/pen; 12 pens/treatment) fed for 230 d. Treatments included: (1) no feed additives (CTL); (2) BX (7.95 g/animal daily); (3) MON + Tylosin phosphate (TYL; 437.52 mg MON/animal daily + 80 mg TYL/animal daily); or (4) MON + BX (437.52 mg MON/animal daily + 7.95 g BX/animal daily). Data were analyzed in R 4.2.1 using a randomized block design with pen as the experimental unit. Dry matter intake was lower (p < 0.001) in MON + TYL and MON + BX than in CTL. Steers fed MON + BX had greater carcass-adjusted final SBW (p = 0.002), average daily gain (p = 0.002), fat thickness (p = 0.035), and marbling score (p = 0.046) than BX. Feed conversion improved in MON + TYL and MON + BX (p < 0.001). CLT and BX had higher (p < 0.001) liver abscess prevalence compared to MON + BX and MON + TYL. The addition of BX did not improve the parameters measured. Steers fed MON + BX showed reduced liver abscesses and similar feed efficiency compared to MON + TYL.

One hundred thirty-three high-risk crossbred beef steers and bulls (178.2 ± 20.9 kg) were used to evaluate dietary inclusion of a tannin (BXA) blend pellet during a 63 d receiving period and a 126 d grazing period compared with no dietary treatment (CON). Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 with pen as the experimental unit. During receiving, no differences were noted on average daily gain (ADG) on a deads-out (p > 0.25) or deads-in (p > 0.75) basis. There were tendencies for increased DMI associated with BXA from D0–21, D23–42, and D0–42 (p < 0.13). During the grazing period, cattle fed BXA had greater ADG from D0–56, and D0–84 (p ≤ 0.05), and tended to have greater ADG from D0–28, D0–112, and D0–126 (p ≤ 0.09). Total period ADG (deads-out) did not differ between treatments (p = 0.18) nor on a deads-in basis (p = 0.20). No differences were noted in the percentage of animals treated for bovine respiratory disease (p = 0.19), death loss (p = 0.62), or percentage of animals removed as chronically morbid/dead (p = 0.90). Results indicate that BXA did not improve performance or health during the receiving period. However, this additive had positive effects during the grazing period.