Growth Implants - Which one takes the cake?

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rocknmranch

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
151
Location
California
I found the posts on implants, but had some further questions.

I wanted to find out which brand is more widely used and why? As well as which type? I saw much reference to the Revalor brand, but that brand has many different types, "s", "is", "xs". When I was showing we used Ralgro. I didn't know why, but I trusted the breeder to know what worked best for her cattle. She was a breeder of Angus and club calf stuff and had done really well in our area.

The calf we are wanting to implant is a Dr Who/ Leachman Right Time. We are just getting rady to pull him in off the pasture and his mom. He is a feb calf, show is in early Sept.

Also, any other imformation about Optaflexx would be great too. When is the best time to start feeding it?
 

simtal

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Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
1,066
Location
Champaign, IL
Implants are sold on how "aggressive" they are. Trenbolone acetate (TBA) is the main hormone that determines how aggressive an implant is. The higher the TBA the more aggressive it is. Usually calves are given a moderate level implant--around 120 TBA.  The "hotter" implants are 200 to 250 TBA.  Ralgro is different from Revealor. Ralgro doesn't have TBA, and is the least agressive implant around. If your steer needs more weight (muscle) and grow, use a hotter implant. Feeding optaflexx to an implanted steer is an effective way to increase weight and muscle. Optaflexx is fed the last 28-42 days prior to slaughter. My guess is you want to wait to implant your steer (unless he is small and needs a kick) until he is around 800-900 pounds.
 

rocknmranch

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
151
Location
California
Thank you so  much for your  imput on the subject. We primarially produce all natural/ hormone free beef for our customers, but this is our daughters first year showing and we want her steer to be competative with the other steers at show.

Through some more research I found a great chart that lists all the brands with their ingredients and quanity of ingredient. I just was not sure which quanity is typically given steers.

Again, THANK YOU!!

 
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