Consistent Gains & Stronger Gut Health at Nullamanna Feedlot with Additives, Beef Culture & ZinMet
Consistent Gains & Stronger Gut Health at Nullamanna Feedlot with Additives, Beef Culture & ZinMet
Preparing cattle to perform in the yard takes careful planning, which is why Nullamanna Feedlot includes premium probiotic Beef Culture and high-quality organic trace mineral (OTM) ZinMet in the feed during their socialisation program, giving new arrivals the foundation they need to thrive.
Located near Inverell in northern NSW, Nullamanna Feedlot processes around 3,500 head of cattle, feeding 150-day Angus EU steers for European markets.
Feedlot Manager Gavin O’Neil says Nullamanna has been a long-time user of both ZinMet and Beef Culture.
“We’ve been using ZinMet for as long as I can remember, and we started using Beef Culture in 2019,” Gavin explains. “Both of these products are used in our pre-yard and bunk feeding.”
Beef Culture and ZinMet were first introduced through the feedlot’s nutritionist, as they looked to address lameness issues during wet conditions and improve gut health for a smoother transition to a higher-energy ration.
A patented combination of good bacteria, Lactobacillus animalis and Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Beef Culture activates cells in the digestive system, increasing the length of the intestinal villi in cattle, enhancing nutrient absorption and overall performance.
After introducing Beef Culture, Gavin says they had noticed a more stable feed intake among cattle entering the yard, a key factor for consistent growth and performance.
“Improving the gut health of our entry cattle sets a strong foundation for them when they go into the yard, helping them gain kilos and keeping gains consistent,” he says.
“Since incorporating Beef Culture, we have seen cattle maintain a consistency with their performance, which has helped them maintain their gains throughout that 150-day feeding period.”
Using Beef Culture and ZinMet together allows the team to deliver the benefits of both the premium probiotic and organic trace mineral in a single ration.
A combined source of specific organic trace minerals, zinc and chromium, ZinMet stimulates keratin production, accelerating hoof growth, hoof hardening, and maintaining cellular integrity.
Gavin notes that he notices a difference in cattle that have been fed Beef Culture and ZinMet compared to newly purchased arrivals.
“The inclusion of ZinMet has helped reduce the number of cases of lameness in our cattle, which in turn has lowered the number of beasts being pulled, allowing them to feed uninterrupted,” he says.
"We’ve also found that feeding this combination to our cattle has helped improve wound recovery, with animals bouncing back more quickly."
Working with the Austasia Animal Products team, Gavin says including Beef Culture and ZinMet into Nullamanna’s feeding program was straightforward and easy.
“Using AAP’s Application Systems, they dispense Beef Culture and ZinMet into the feed conveniently from a remote control,” he says.
“Having worked with the Austasia Animal Products team for some time now, they have always been great to work with. They’ve always been helpful, servicing the application systems and making sure we have what we need.”
“We recommend Beef Culture, ZinMet, and Austasia Animal Products for any feedlotter looking to improve their cattle’s gut health and performance.”
