Animal performance

A number of products designated GRAS are being scmtini2ed by the FDA because of advertisements and claims made by producers or manufacturers of these products. Statements that indicate that feeding such products improve animal performance may require substantive data to support such claims in the future. 

Defaunation is a term used to describe the elimination of protozoa from the mmen. Ruminal protozoa allegedly have both positive and negative effects on animal performance (5,34). Defaunation may increase mminal microbial efficiency because less methane is produced and less proteolysis occurs... 

Increased hormonal levels have resulted in better mminant animal performance. Fstrogen-containing compounds, eg, zearalenone [17924-92-4], 18 22 5 available to improve growth and feed efficiency. These estrogens are given as ear implants. Melengestrol acetate [2919-66-6] (MGA),... 

A further aspect that may add to the development work relates to the method of administration. In addition to the standards methods of administration associated with human medicines, veterinary medicines may be introduced to animals through medicated feeds. Such practices have been most commonly associated with the use of antibiotics or other substances to enhance animal performance under intensive farming systems. The use of medicated feeds has been phased out in Europe since the end of 2005, with the exception of coccidiostats and histomonostats intended to kill or inhibit protozoa. In the U SA, however, medicated feeds are still commonplace. Thus, the developer may have to consider the stability and appropriate labelling of the drug when compounded into medicated feeds. 

Probiotics have also been suggested as a means to potentially lower CH4 emissions. Few studies have demonstrated the use of yeast (McGinn et al., 2004 Newbold and Rode, 2006), but further research is required to develop a yeast that improves fermentation and animal performance as well as reduces CH4 emissions (Beauchemin et al., 2008). Preliminary... 

It has long been established that the sexual status of an animal controls and coordinates its growth rate and speed of fattening. Bulls grow faster and lay down more lean meat in the carcass than steers, whereas steers grow faster with a higher feed conversion efficiency than cows. These beneficial effects on animal performance are due to the sex steroids produced in the testes. 

Improved animal performance and reduced mortality are definite benefits. It would not be difficult to hypothesize on the problems that would arise if no drug medication were available. Large numbers of farm animals would die, chronic bacterial disease would be commonplace, and the consequent losses both... 

Drouillard, J.S., Seyfert, M.A., Good, E.J., Loe, E.R., Depenbusch, B., and Daubert., R. 2004. Flaxseed for finishing beef cattle Effects on animal performance, carcass quality and meat composition. In Proceedings of the 60th Flax Institute of the United States , pp. 108-117. Fargo, ND. 

Direct economic losses due to the presence of mycotoxin- (especially aflatoxin-)producing fungi in agricultural crops can be detected in reduced crop yields and lower quality, reduced animal performance and reproductivity... 

Ecological applications of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy - a tool for rapid, cost-effective prediction of the composition of plant and animal tissues and aspects of animal performance. Oecologia, 116, 293-305. 

Fearon, A.M., Mayne, C.S., Beattie, J.A.M., Bruce, D.W. 2004. Effect of level of oil inclusion in the diet of dairy cows at pasture on animal performance and milk composition and properties.. / Sci. Food Agr. 84, 497-504. 

O Brien, B., Crosse, S., Dillon, P. 1996. Effects of offering a concentrate or silage supplement to grazing dairy cows in late lactation on animal performance and on milk processability. Irish J. Agric. Food Res. 35, 113-125. 

Beef and dairy cattle. Canola meal has gained widespread acceptance as a protein supplement in beef and dairy rations. Research has shown its effectiveness in a variety of production and management situations. Lactation trials have demonstrated that canola meal will maintain or slightly improve milk production relative to soybean meal-based rations. Improved milk production may in part reflect the amino acid content of the bypass protein fraction of canola meal. In beef cattle rations, animal performance has been shown to meet or exceed industry standards when canola meal is incorporated. Canola meal can be used as the sole protein supplement in rations for growing and finishing cattle (29). 

Several researchers have studied the extruded-expelled meal for feeding trials for poultry, swine, and beef cattle. When compared with solvent-extracted meal, extruded-expelled meal is much better in nutrition and animals performance. 

According to the FDA (Fuller, 1999), DFMs that have been included in food for many years without any adverse effects are GRAS and have been shown to have beneficial effects in the animal (Fuller, 1989 Juven et al, 1991 Lee et al., 1999). The concept of DFMs is now universally accepted, and a substantial amount of research is being directed toward formulation of mixtures of DFM strains that would have potential beneficial effects in the animal, including improvement of animal performance and inhibition of food-borne pathogens. 

The potential benefits of DFM LAB can be placed into three broad categories (1) reduction of food-borne pathogens, (2) improved animal performance, and (3) stimulation of immune response. Reduction of food-borne pathogens in the live animal to prevent subsequent contamination of the food supply is the focus of this discussion. 

Schmidt SP, Osbom TG. Effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue on animal performance. Agric Ecosys Environ 44 233-262, 1993. 

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