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Post by octave on May 8, 2015 7:54:52 GMT -5
kimmsr if I recall it correctly cattle must be given routine antibiotics if/because they are fed corn. Corn sits in their stomach(s) longer than grass, being much harder too digest properly, ferments and makes them sick. So the problem with commercially raised animals is the food regimen they are on. Most everything is the consequence of what they are fed (and isn't the same true for people too?).
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Post by oliverman on May 8, 2015 8:29:24 GMT -5
High levels of grain in a ruminant diet can lead to several health issues, acidosis being the most common. Antibiotics are of no use to treat these problems. Ionophores, a class of antibiotic that has no use in human medicine are commonly fed to prevent coccidiosis, a disease caused by protazoa, and boost feed efficiency.
I believe pasture raised animals are more sustainable, but don't strictly adhere to exclusively grass fed. Ruminant livestock can be integrated into a grain production system and make use of cover crops and crop aftermath. If I let my cattle or sheep graze corn stubble, they will eat some of the grain that escaped harvesting. Also, any cover crops that have developed a seed are off limits for the grass fed label.
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Post by octave on May 8, 2015 12:44:54 GMT -5
oliverman what happens when ruminants are given antibiotics? How do they boost feed efficiency? Would animals retain more water when fed antibiotics?
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Post by oliverman on May 8, 2015 15:47:19 GMT -5
Ionophores improve feed efficiency by acting on rumen microbes. Most rumen microbes convert the complex fiber and starch in forage and grain into simple molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream to provide energy and protein to the animal. Rumen bacteria known as methanogens convert the dietary fiber and starch into methane gas. Methane contains energy, but it cannot be absorbed by the animal, so it is belched out and wasted. Ionophores improve feed efficiency and weight gain by selectively inhibiting methanogenic bacteria, and allow the beneficial rumen bacteria to make more feed energy available to the animal.
Broad spectrum antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline obviously have more effects on more bacteria. When used to treat acute sickness, probiotics are commonly used to replenish proper gut bacteria. One more reason we try to limit use of broad spectrum drugs.
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Post by kimmsrđź•Š on May 10, 2015 6:15:14 GMT -5
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Post by kimmsrđź•Š on May 12, 2015 6:15:59 GMT -5
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