Aureomycin for Growing and Fattening Beef Animals

Abstract

The administration of aureomycin to suckling calves at a level of 24 mg. per 100 liveweight decreased scouring and gave an apparent growth stimulation. Yearling steers receiving 75 mg. aureomycin per animal daily gained 43 pounds more (P<0.05) than control animals on a ground corn cobs-Supplement A type of ration when the appetite of the lot consuming the least amount of ground corn cobs controlled the amount the other lot received. Aureomycin fed steers required 18% less feed per unit gain. Aureomycin feeding had no effect on growth rate or feed efficiency of fattening steers on a controlled intake basis described above. Calves and yearlings receiving 75 mg. aureomycin gained 27 pounds more (statistically significant, P<0.01) and required 20 percent less feed per unit of gain than control animals on a basal ration of ground corn cobs, and simple minerals, free choice, and Purdue Cattle Supplement A, 3.5 lb. per day. In all cases, the introduction of aureomycin to the ration caused a temporary depression in appetite for two to four days during the first week. Copyright © . .