ACT Performance™ Tubs

 

Redefining Tub Supplementation

ACT Performance Tubs are low-moisture, cooked supplements, which are unique in that a patented ingredient combination is utilized rather than the commonly used ‘molasses’ base.  These supplements provide protein, mineral, and vitamin supplementation and offer palatable, consistent intake which is vital to unleashing the wealth of nutrients contained in forages.  Under most forage-feeding conditions, cattle cannot fully benefit from the nutrients contained in forages without special nutritional assistance.  The key to optimizing forage utilization is to create an optimal environment for rumen microbes.  That’s where ACT Performance Tubs can help.

 

 

Elements for a Strong Nutritional Foundation
 

Minerals & Vitamins

This very small fraction of total nutrients consumed by cattle is basic to fueling cattle for production-driven practices.  Simply, minerals are the backbone of a successful beef operation.  Feedstuffs alone generally do not provide an adequate supply of properly balanced minerals needed to optimize performance.  Minerals, along with vitamins, play a vital role in nutrient digestion, reproductive performance, immune system function, and development of muscle, bone, and teeth.  A lack of essential minerals and vitamins in cattle diets may result in:

• Reduced forage intake

• Inefficient feed utilization

• Decreased gain

• Lower reproductive efficiency

• Poor disease immunity

Nutrient supplementation has a positive effect on the number of rumen microbes as shown in
Figure 1.  As the microbial population increases due to proper mineral supplementation, so does potential forage digestion, which enables cattle to increase forage intake.  The end result is more energy available for production purposes from the same amount of forage, enabling efficient, economical production.

 

Protein

For cattle on low-quality forages, protein is usually the first-limiting nutrient.  A lack of dietary protein can lead to:

• Reduced feed digestion

• Lower body condition score

• Higher feed cost

• Reduced conception rates

• Weak calves

• Lighter weight calves

• Compromised health status

• Lower milk production

Rumen microbes must be provided with a steady, continuous supply of nitrogen for optimal performance.  Nitrogen can be derived from natural protein and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources (urea and biuret).  Without needed nitrogen to fuel microbial growth, forage utilization will be hindered.  When forages fail to provide sufficient protein to meet cow and microbe needs, supplementation is a must to maintain productivity.

Natural protein is an excellent nitrogen source for rumen microbes and the cow. Because rumen microbes convert NPN into protein, NPN sources can also be used quite effectively in grazing cattle diets when fed in proper amounts.  Feeding supplemental protein to cattle consuming low-quality forages has been shown to increase the quantity of forage cattle consume (see Table 1), by improving forage digestibility.  This increase in dry matter intake generally leads to better gains and body condition scores (see Figure 2).
 

 

Table 1  Effects of Protein Supplementation on Dry Matter Hay Intake and Organic Matter Digestibility
	Control Cattle	Protein Supplemented Cattle
Protein Supplement, lb/hd/day	0	1.4
Hay DM Intake, lb/hd/day	9.5	11.2
Total Intake, lb/hd/day	9.5	12.6
Organic Matter, % apparent digestibility	48.8	55.4
Source: J.S. Wheeler, D.L. Lalman, G.W. Horn, L.A. Redmond, and C.A. Lents, Oklahoma State University, Journal of Animal Science 2002, 80:780-789.

 

Energy

Cattle on forage diets derive most of their energy needs from the fiber component of forages.  The goal of a supplementation program for grazing cattle is to enable cattle to extract as much energy as possible from forages consumed and to optimize intake of forages.  Providing supplemental energy in the proper amounts from the proper source can improve rumen microbial growth and efficiency in many feeding situations.  When forages are of low quality or when quantity of forage is limited, additional energy sources should be provided to avoid production losses.

 

 

Redefining Tub Supplementation

ACT Performance Tubs provides functional ingredients*:
 

Patented Ingredient Combination – Rather than using molasses, ACT Performance Tubs are formulated using a patented ingredient combination which provides an economical alternative to molasses.  ACT Performance Tubs are nutritionally balanced to promote microbial population growth and increase forage digestibility, especially when energy supplied from forage is insufficient to meet the microbes’ requirements.

CitriStim^® – An ADM proprietary feed ingredient, which is a source of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta glucans.  Researchers have demonstrated MOS can have a beneficial impact on animal growth and health by binding pathogenic gut bacteria.

Natural-Source Vitamin E – More potent antioxidant activity compared to synthetic vitamin E; antioxidant properties counteract harmful free radicals produced within the body; helps maintain cell membrane and tissue integrity; needed for reproductive efficiency and proper functioning of the immune system.

Biuret – An ADM Alliance Nutrition^® exclusive source of non-protein nitrogen.  Unlike urea, which should not be used at high amounts in the diet, biuret is a very safe form of NPN with an ammonia release curve very similar to soybean meal.  Biuret can be utilized at very high levels with forage-based diets and offers a cost-effective and safe means of providing rumen microbes with nitrogen.

RumeNext^®-B – A patent-pending combination of concentrated plant extracts specifically formulated for beef cattle.  Studies show RumeNext-B acts by altering the volatile fatty acid profile which can lead to improved nutrient supply to cattle and subsequent performance improvements.

Prosponse^® Yeast – A proprietary ADM feed ingredient manufactured using a controlled fermentation and drying process.  Prosponse Yeast may provide growth factors for rumen microflora as well as complex carbohydrates beneficial for general gut health and immune response.  ADM research studies with beef cattle demonstrate that Prosponse Yeast can enhance feed intake and digestion, gain and feed efficiency, especially during the critical arrival period.

 

*Not all tubs contain all the functional ingredients listed. Refer to ‘Functional Components of ACT Performance Tubs’ table for notation of functional ingredients in each ACT Performance Tub.

 

 

Performance & Value

ACT Performance Tubs deliver:

• Ease and convenience of utilizing a 200-lb tub – does not require as much time and labor to supplement cattle on pasture or range compared to other supplement forms.

• More nutrients and less moisture compared to some other products.

• Full nutritional value – do not contain fillers, binders, or hardeners.

• Controlled intake – cattle only get what they need.

• Product uniformity – slow, steady intake of uniform product enables better utilization of forages and ensures cattle obtain needed nutrients.

• No salt – salt or a free-choice mineral should be made available to cattle (exception:
  Stressfighter 14 Plus contains salt).

 

Feeding ACT Performance Tubs

ACT Performance Tubs are designed for self-feeding to growing and mature cattle on pasture or range with recommended consumption rate of 0.5 to 1.5 lb/hd/day.  The exception is the Stressfighter tub which is specifically formulated for weaned calves and arrival calves in feedlots.  Consumption rate for the Stressfighter tub is 0.25 to 1 lb/hd/day.  Provide one tub for each 20-25 head of cattle.  An additional tub may be used to allow timid cows easier access to tubs.

 

 

Feeding Tips

Since ACT Performance Tubs are designed for self-feeding.  Consumption may vary depending on quantity and/or quality of available forage, condition, size and age of cattle, previous feeding program, accessibility of tubs, and number of tubs available.  Cattle may need an adaptation period before consistent and correct consumption is achieved.  If cattle are unaccustomed to tub supplementation, place tubs in cattle gathering area during the acclimation phase.  Once cattle become accustom to the tubs, change tub location based on intake.

 

If consumption is below the recommended amount, examine forage quality and the tub feeding program, such as location of tubs, along with the number of head per tub.  Additional tubs maybe offered when intake is below the recommended amount.
 

If consumption is higher than desired, the quantity and/or quality of forage may need to be increased.  If the forage source and supply is adequate, place the tubs farther away from loafing or watering areas and at the same time, reduce the number of available tubs.
 

ACT Performance Tubs contain added copper.  Do not feed to sheep or goats as copper toxicity may occur.
 

ACT Performance Tub Product Families

• Roughage Optimizer™

• Roughage Buster^®  

• Stressfighter^®

• MasterGain^® Minerals – Coming in Spring 2009