• Charles Sturt’s feedlot in Wagga Wagga has conducted a promising trial of an all-natural cattle feed supplement for growth

A trial conducted at Charles Sturt University’s feedlot in Wagga Wagga has revealed significant results for the future of cattle farming.

Professor in Veterinary Physiology with the Charles Sturt Gulbali Research Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment Jane Quinn conducted the trial alongside renowned feedlot veterinarian and ruminant nutritionists Professor Paul Cusack of Australian Livestock Production Services.

More than 260 Angus cattle from six breeders across southern NSW were used in the trial, fed for 106 days and supplemented with the Terragen Dry Ruminant Probiotic feed supplement at different dosage rates.

Professor Quinn said the results were noticeably positive.

“Angus cattle supplied a ration supplemented with the ruminant probiotic gained 4.6 per cent more weight per day compared to a control group that were not,” Professor Quinn said.

“Also of note from the trial was that this group of cattle had a marble score seven per cent higher than the control.”

The Terragen Dry Ruminant Probiotic supplement was tested against groups of liquid MYLO, Dry Ruminant Probiotic one dose, Dry Ruminant Probiotic two dose and a control group fed no supplement.

“By doing this, we were able to measure if the supplement improved production and carcass characteristics,” Professor Quinn said.

Professor Quinn said the trial was valuable as consumers continue to seek alternatives to synthetic growth stimulants.

“The Terragen probiotic is all natural and developed in Australia, so it provides a commercially viable alternative to beef producers both nationally and internationally,” she said.

“Probiotics present the opportunity for enhancing growth and performance in feedlot steers without recourse to other chemical additives.

“Our trial produced viable results in terms of return on investment of the supplement too.”