Agtech Natural Resources U.S. Cattle Research
The use of a calcium zeolite (clinoptilolite) in diets for natural beef production.
K.S. Eng., PhD; Robert Bechtel; David Hutcheson, PhD 2006
NuFeed Improves Average Daily Gain
Feedlot performance
The feed additives used included Rumensin (R) and Tylan (T). Previous studies indicated a
particular calcium clinoptilolite (Z) gave the most favorable results when included in
experimental diets at 1.2% (D.M.B.) in place of an equivalent amount of corn.
Treatment RT RT+Z z
A.D.G (Kg/D) 1.53 1.61 1.69
Consumption (Kg/D) 9.9 10 10.2
Feed/Gain 6.33 6.09 6.021
NuFeed (Zeolite) Increases Rumen pH
Effect of NuFeed treatment on rumen *pH 1.2% Ration
The feed additives used included Rumensin (R) and Tylan (T). Previous studies indicated a
particular calcium clinoptilolite zeolite (Z) gave the most favorable results when included in
experimental diets at 1.2% (D.M.B.) in place of an equivalent amount of corn.
Sample collected by Geishauser Probe
Treatment pH Treatment pH
RT 6.42b Z+RT 6.63a
R 6.43b Z+R 6.65a
0 6.46b Z+O 6.66a
means with different
super scrip letter differ,
P <.05
The use of a calcium zeolite (clinoptilolite) in diets for natural beef production
K.S. Eng., PhD; Robert Bechtel; David Hutcheson, PhD 2006
Zeolite Reduced Total Liver Abscesses
Effect of ration treatment on total liver abscesses
The feed additives used included Rumensin (R) and Tylan (T). Previous studies indicated a
particular calcium clinoptilolite zeolite (Z) gave the most favorable results when included in
experimental diets at 1.2% (D.M.B.) in place of an equivalent amount of corn.
Treatment Total Liver Abscess A+ Liver Abscess
RT 19.1% 8.6% b
Z+ RT 16.1% 2.2% a
Z+ RB 20.8% 5.7% ab
Z+O 19.3% 5.1% ab
0 27.7% 7.9% ab
NuFeed (Zeolite) Reduced Ammonia Losses from Manure
Research has shown that NuFeed Clinoptilolite zeolite used in feedlot diets reduces nitrogen
(N) loss from manure, compost and lagoons This study was designed to compare the N loss
from manure of cattle fed a control or experimental diet containing 1.2% NuFeed added in
place of steam flaked corn. The manure was collected fresh, sampled for initial N content and
then stacked and sampled again at days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. There were 8 Reps per
treatment and the data is shown in table below.
Effect of Feeding NuFeed/ Zeolite on Manure N Loss
Day Control diet Zeolite Diet
Day3 2.6% 4.6%
Day7 22.0% 6.7%
Day 14 25.3% 6.4%
Day21 28.2% 9.1%
Day28 34.9% 12.8%
At the end of 28-days, the N loss was 34.9% compared to 12.8% N loss from the NuFeed/Zeolite Treatment.
Zeolite Increased Retained Nitrogen in Manure
The use of zeolite (clinoptilolite) (NuFeed) in diets for natural beef production
Eng., PhD; Robert Bechtel; David Hutcheson, PhD 2006
Initial analysis of the control and the BL manure is shown in Table Effect of Feeding Zeolite
on Manure Composition
Manure (DMB) Control Manure Zeolite Manure
N 2.33% 2.84%
p 0.60% 0.61%
K 1.61% 1.53%
N:P Ratio 3.7 4.7
Zeolite manure was higher in Nitrogen and had a greater N: P ratio compared to the control
manure in the plant fertilizer study.
Other Zeolite Performance Trials for Ruminants
According to Quarles (1985), research involving over fifty (50) trials has indicated that adding
clinoptilolite zeolite (NuFeed) to cattle rations and other farm animal’s diets gives a small, but
reproducible, improvement in feed conversion efficiency shown by increased weight gains.
The mode of action may be due to the ion exchange properties or the binding of nitrogenous
compounds with the Zeolite (NuFeed) structure.
Tsitsishvili et al (1983) conducted three replicate experiments feeding rations containing 3, 5,
8 and 10% zeolite (NuFeed) to pigs, sheep and cattle. Cattle fed rations with zeolite
(NuFeed) had average weight gains 5-9% higher than the control animals. The animals also
required 3-5% less feed per unit of weight gain. Zeolite (NuFeed) inclusion did not seem to
influence animal health, digestion or blood composition.
Bagishvi/i (1978) cited by Tsitsishvi/i (1983) found that cattle fed rations containing 5, 8 and
10% Zeolite (NuFeed) had average daily weight gains of 5-8% more than the control animals.
Calves fed a ration containing 3% Zeolite (NuFeed) showed a 6-7% improvement in average
daily weight gain (Garbovenski et al. 1981 cited by Dyer n. d)
Nestorov (1983) described the use of Zeolites (NuFeed) in cattle rations. Thirty steers fed
Carbazin (R), a feed additive containing urea, zeolite (NuFeed) and other minerals, showed
an increase of 131g/day over the control group. In a second trial conducted on 6000 steers,
weight gains were 143 g/day more than the control group. This represented 40kgs extra
weight gained over a 280-day feeding period.
Nestorov (1983) using 22 steers, compared the Zeolite (NuFeed) containing Carbazin
product with a patented urea preparation, “Golden-Pro”, (containing 20% urea and 5%
bentonite). The steers were fed for 127 days on diets equalised for fodder units. The
Carbazin group gained an additional 84 g/day live weight and with a lower feed consumption,
higher nitrogen retention and a better utilisation of fibers, in comparison to the control.
Petunkin et al (1993) report three experiments adding Clinoptilolites (NuFeed) to cattle
rations:
- Feeding Zeolites (NuFeed) at 6% of the ration to young bull caves resulted in additional
weight gains of 7.5% to 18% and feed conversion was improved by 3.9%-7%. - A trial using a different Natural Zeolite (NuFeed) increased live weight gain by 2.4-3.7%
when fed to bull calves. - A third Zeolite (NuFeed) deposit when fed at 6% of the ration yielded live weight gains of
7% over the controls. When Zeolite was fed with urea, gains of 10% over the controls
were recorded.
Garcia – Lopez et al (1988) feed lactating cows on pasture and concentrate with 2% Clinoptilolite (NuFeed). The fat production was significantly higher (P<05) than in the control group. The net acid base of the animals improved with the Zeolite (NuFeed) treatment, which appeared to buffer the electrolyte status of the cows.
Kondo et al (1969) cited by Mumpton and Fishman (1977) fed rations to young calves that included 5% by volume supplements of zeolite (clinoptilolite) (NuFeed). The zeolite (NuFeed) fed animals gained 20% more weight compared with control and consumed more feed.
However, the feed costs per kg of weight gain were significantly less than the control. The
incidence of diarrhea and soft-feces among the zeolite (NuFeed) feed calves was significantly reduced. (Refer table.)
Occurrence of Diarrhea and Soft-Feces Among Calves on Diet Supplemented with 5% Clinoptilolite (NuFeed)
Incidence of Diarrhea Incidence of Soft-Feces
Time (days) Grass-fed
+5% Zeolite
I Hay-fed
+5%
I Control
Group
+5%
Grain-fed
I +5%
Hay-fed
IControl
Group
2 calves
Zeolite 2
calves 6 calves
Zeolite 2
calves
Zeolite 2
calves 6 Calves
30 0 0 4 0 0 4
36-60 0 1 2 9 4 13
61-90 0 0 2 1 1 13
91-120 1 0 1 2 0 13
121-150 0 0 4 4 0 8
151-184 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total (calf days) 1 1 13 16 5 51
Bartko et al (1993) report the use of Zeolite in the feed (at the preventative rate of 1g/kg of bodyweight twice daily) on five “calf-rearing farms” (4282 calves in total). There was a reduction in the incidence of diarrhea from 68.7% in the controls to 18.0% for the Zeolite treated calves. The mortality of calves was receded from 4.7% (98 calves) in the controls to 1.3% (29 calves) for the Zeolite treatment.
REFERENCES
Bartko, P., Seidel, H. and Kovac, G. “Use of Zeolites in Animal Production in Slovakia: A
Review” in 4t h International Conference on the Occurrence, Properties and Utilisation of
Natural Zeolites, Boise, IDAHO, USA 1993.
Dyer. A. (1989) “Uses of Natural Zeolites” reprint article.
Garcia – Lopez, A., Elias, A., Perez de la Paz J, and Gonzalez G. “The utilization of zeolite by
dairy cows. 1.”The effect on milk composition”. Cuban J. Agric. Sci. 1988 22:33.
Mumpton F.A. and Fishman P.H. (1977) “The Application of Natural Zeolites in Animal
Science and Aquaculture” J. Animal Sc., Vol 45, No 5 (1977)
Nestorov Nikola (1983) “Possible Applications of Natural Zeolites in Animal Husbandry” in
Zeo – Agriculture: Use of Natural Zeolites in Agriculture and Aquaculture edited by Wilson G.
Pond and Fredrick A. Mumpton Westview Press 1984. Pp 163-171.
Petunkin J. I., Makarychev Y. I and Gabuda S. P. “Use of Natural Zeolites in Agriculture and
for Environmental Protection” (1993)
Quarles, C. L (1985) “Zeolites: a new ingredient may cut calories needed to produce poultry,
red meat”. Feedstuffs. October 7, 1985. Pp. 35-6
Tsutsushvilli, G.V. Andronikashvili, T.G., Kvashali, N, Ph.,
Bagishvili, R. M and Zurabashvili, Z. A. (1983) “Agricultural Applications of Natural Zeolites in
the Soviet Union” in Zea-Agriculture: Use of Natural Zeolites in Agriculture and Aquaculture
edited by Wilson G. Pond and Fredrick A. Mumpton Westview Press 1984. Pp 211-221