Evaluation of a Tannin Blend on Beef Cattle Performance and Health During the Receiving Period and Subsequent Grazing Period

One hundred thirty-three high-risk crossbred beef steers and bulls (178.2 ± 20.9 kg) were used to evaluate dietary inclusion of a tannin (BXA) blend pellet during a 63 d receiving period and a 126 d grazing period compared with no dietary treatment (CON). Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 with pen as the experimental unit. During receiving, no differences were noted on average daily gain (ADG) on a deads-out (<i>p</i> > 0.25) or deads-in (<i>p</i> > 0.75) basis. There were tendencies for increased DMI associated with BXA from D0-21, D23-42, and D0-42 (<i>p</i> < 0.13). During the grazing period, cattle fed BXA had greater ADG from D0-56, and D0-84 (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), and tended to have greater ADG from D0-28, D0-112, and D0-126 (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.09). Total period ADG (deads-out) did not differ between treatments (<i>p</i> = 0.18) nor on a deads-in basis (<i>p</i> = 0.20). No differences were noted in the percentage of animals treated for bovine respiratory disease (<i>p</i> = 0.19), death loss (<i>p</i> = 0.62), or percentage of animals removed as chronically morbid/dead (<i>p</i> = 0.90). Results indicate that BXA did not improve performance or health during the receiving period. However, this additive had positive effects during the grazing period.