Rumalato improves feed efficiency of beef cattle

Rumalato, based on salts of malic acid, is usually included in feed cattle due to its beneficial effect on the ruminal flora and improvement in zootechnical indexes. A trial was set up to test the effect of Rumalato addition in feed of beef cattle. A total of 63 male crossbreeds steers were used with an average weight of 215.4 ± 24.5 kg. The animals were fed with straw and feed ad libiltum in three groups. The control group had 54 steers while for the treatment, a total of 109 steers were used in 2 groups. The animals form treatment group were fed with the same feed than the control, but with the addition of Rumalato at 1kg per ton. The energy of the feed was 1.04 UFC/kg, crude protein 14%, crude fat 4.8% and starch 44%. The animals were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the trial in order to calculate the average daily gain. Feed consumed was weighed per group during the whole trial in order to know the intake per group and calculate the conversion ratio. The results for average daily gain were 1,330 grams for control group and 1,337 grams for Rumalato group. The results showed that steers fed with Rumalato improved their conversion ratio by 4.3% (5.66 for control vs. 5.42 for Rumalato) and reduced the quantity of feed needed for the fattening period. The steers fed with Rumalato showed better efficiency