Implant Study

In a 200-day study in Oklahoma, lightweight stocker steer calves were studied to see if a new, patented sustained-release polymer barrier implant coating would improve performance. That coating is only available on Synovex One-Grass and Synovex One-Feedlot implants.

Douglas Hilbig, beef technical services veterinarian with Zoetis, said calves in the study showed more than 20 pounds of additional live-weight gain per head, when compared to two competing implants.

In the study, calves (250 to 550 pounds in weight) were turned out in February and supplemented with protein and hay as needed. They were sourced from regional commercial livestock auctions, transported less than 150 miles and allowed 14 days to acclimate. All calves were dewormed and vaccinated.

There were three treatment groups, each around 300-head in size. During the first 70 days all the implants provided similar average daily gains (ADG). But on days 70 to 200, steers implanted with the Synovex One-Grass averaged 6.7% greater ADG than the other two groups. This resulted in at least a $24 per head increase in net income.

Why the improvement? Hilbig explained the difference is due to the implant coating which developes pores, leading to a more constant release of active ingredients over an entire 200 days. It is designed for calves that have 130 days or more on feed or grass, and is safe for both steers and heifers over 45 days of age.

"You can see a 2 pound to 2.25 pound gain on all implants," noted Hilbig. "The difference is that with this implant you are seeing that gain for the full 200 days."

Both versions of Synovex One cost around $5 per head. Synovex has been marketed for more than 50 years by Zoetis. Its active ingredients are trenbolone acetate and estradiol benzoate. For more information go to www.GrowWithSynovex.com

(AG/CC)

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