Since we’ve been managing cattle for meat and profitability, the industry constantly searches for new and different tools that can help us accomplish three primary objectives – improve reproduction, health and growth – the primary drivers of improved profitability. Over the years, as we have learned more about all three physiological systems, we have also learned how closely they are tied together and how dominant a role nutrition plays. So as our understanding of nutrition has improved, so have productivity and profitability.
But with the cattle industry, it’s not only a matter of working toward ever- improving nutrition – it also depends a great deal on understanding how the rumen of the animal functions and what that massive microbial population will respond to. Over time, we have found a variety of products that can positively impact rumen or, more specifically, microbial function – products like ionophores, a type of fed antibiotic. Products* such as Rumensin, Bovatec and Cattlyst have become common fixtures in feeding programs because of research and practice showing repeatable and cost-effective improvements in cattle gain performance, feed efficiency and profitability. Of the three products listed, Rumensin (monensin) has had the greatest market share for decades. Because they are antibiotics, these products have come under increased consumer scrutiny and pressure to reduce their usage in the production of beef.
Another product type that has found widespread use in feeding programs due to ruminal and health effects has been chlortetracycline (CTC, several brand names). This product type has shown a variety of positive effects both on performance and health when fed at different levels. But because it functions as a systemic antibiotic, its use has become highly scrutinized and now requires a veterinarian prescription for use.
Another very large group are those classified as prebiotics and probiotics that are made up of yeasts, bacteria and fungal products and derivatives that play numerous roles in the rumen. They also may have an effect in the intestinal regions and have been shown to play a role in pathogen and mycotoxin binding, reduction of gut inflammation, stimulating gut health and improving nutrient absorption.
A more recent classification of feed additives is essential oil products (EOs). These will be the focus of this discussion.
What makes EOs potentially important?
Essential oils in animal feeding (all species) go by several names. They may be referred to as plant extracts or phytobiotics. They may also be referred to as herbs or spices. So, any of this terminology, in general, refers to the same type of product: a material that is largely an oil or fat of some type and is extracted either mechanically or chemically from different plants. The overall concept of feeding or applying EOs is thousands of years old; man learned long ago that various plants have capacities for healing or other positive effects in or on the body. The use of products of this nature was the start of a great deal of modern medicine. Over time, man learned to extract and concentrate the active molecules of these plants and further explore the applications of individual EOs as well as combinations.
Subsequently, we learned that feeding certain materials had positive effects in the rumen aside from nutrient sources. In other words, these plant materials functioned in a manner that would enhance the various performance parameters (reproduction, health, growth) as well as efficiency. Other plant materials have been shown to affect blood and brain chemistry, and can reduce stress and have a calming effect on animals (and people).
Over recent years, the use of EOs in the cattle industry has become more common. Since there are literally hundreds of EO products on the market both individually and in combination, selecting a particular product can be a challenge. Additionally, given the large number of EOs to choose from, there is a large variety of potential effects these products can have on the animal when fed through its feed or in a supplement. Some examples include:
- Cloves, cinnamon: Have an antimicrobial effect in the rumen. Also, potent antioxidants.
- Thyme: Stimulates the digestive system and may promote animal growth and productivity.
- Vanilla, anise: May improve feed intake and efficiency. Commonly used as feed flavors.
- Oregano: Has documented antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
- Garlic, lavender, anise, citronella, peppermint: May have an insect-repellent effect. Garlic is widely used as a fly repellent.
- Citrus, lavender and rosemary: Have been shown to modulate the stress message in the brain of animals.
- Capsicum, turmeric, black and red pepper, ginger: Shown to promote saliva production and pH (improved rumen buffering in ruminants).
There are numerous companies producing a wide array of EO blends targeting numerous effects positive to production. A few individual single-component products are found, but the majority are blends of two or more EOs (you will also see some reference to “spices”) to accentuate the effect on the animal.
One prominent area of research in the cattle feed market is to identify EO products that can effectively replace monensin or other ionophores. As mentioned, ionophores are commonly used feed additives/antibiotics included in beef feeding programs to improve feed efficiency. But because it is an antibiotic, there is pressure from the consuming public to reduce or eliminate its use. Recently, several trials have been conducted comparing the use of Rumensin and different EO blend products in both beef and dairy feeding programs. Interestingly, several of these studies have shown that the EO product has very similar responses in the animal to Rumensin, having almost identical effects on feed efficiency, animal performance and economics.
Other products have been used to mitigate stress effects in receiving/transitioning cattle as well as cattle subjected to heat stress. Some of these effects in the animal are related to the changes in brain chemistry, which subsequently increase stress. This can depress feed intake, immune response and other metabolic processes. Some of the EO products have shown promise in offsetting the changes in brain chemistry during these periods and help minimize the overall stress in the animal.
Considering the two aforementioned benefits (improvement of feed efficiency and stress reduction), EOs of this nature show significant promise in improving reproduction, animal health and growth, and are thus worth exploring by the producer.
So what does it mean?
Essential oils appear to have a very promising role in beef cattle nutrition and feeding programs. We still have a way to go in understanding these materials overall and certainly in recognizing which individual EOs and combinations or blends can be the most effective. This will take more research and application. For the beef cattle producer, work with your nutritionist to review the products on the market and determine which may have the most promise in your particular operation and are the most cost-effective. Evaluate the effect of a particular product on your operation and remember that there are many choices on the market.
*Mention of specific product types or names should not be considered an endorsement. Products are mentioned for reference and informational purposes only.
