Negative experiences with Zilmax

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cowgirl sue

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May 2, 2011
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Our family, like I am sure many others, are considering trying Showmax for at least one of our calves this year.  I like the positive of the added muscle, but I also have heard about the changes in structure and fat.  I think our calf is fat enough and right now I don't think he has a problem with structure.  So many people I speak to think it will almost always cause a calf to have major structural problems and this scares me.  Can any of you discuss any negative experiences you have had with the Showmax.  I also wonder if most of the calves winning are using a product like this.  Looking forward to hearing about your experiences and what you think.
 

texas111

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Jan 10, 2011
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its like paylean for hogs.  it can effect the joints and stiffen them up.  it will add muscle and burn fat.  i would only use it if i had a weak calf.  i would not use it on heifers.  you should use it before you start to finish the calf.  good luck.
 

Moezmom

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Apr 30, 2011
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texas111 said:
its like paylean for hogs.  it can effect the joints and stiffen them up.  it will add muscle and burn fat.  i would only use it if i had a weak calf.  i would not use it on heifers.  you should use it before you start to finish the calf.  good luck.
We were looking at using it and were told to only use it on finished animals with plenty of fat.  can anyone who has used it please tell us which is correct.  It is my understanding it is meant to be used the last 20 days, less the 3 day withdrawal.
 

flacowman

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Jun 25, 2010
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That's correct Moezmom.  It diverts nutrients that would go to make fat into protein (muscle).  If you start it before a calf is finished he will never finish or marble well
 

DLD

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Although the effects are similiar, zilmax is not the beef equivalent of paylean - that would be optiflex.  Both are meant to be fed for approximately 3 weeks at the very end of the feeding period (there's a three day withdrawal).  We've used both (more than just once or twice), and I've observed both used many times.  IMO, zilmax is much more effective than optiflex, although results (both positive and negative) vary somewhat from one animal to the next.  In our experience, Showmax has consistently shown increased muscle expression with little noticeable downside, but we've been very careful to use it only on really sound ones.  They really should be covered before you start the Showmax, but we have went ahead with it on one that needed a little more cover - we added a cup of corn oil each feeding, and were pleased with the results.
 

OH Breeder

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Feb 14, 2007
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Ada, Ohio
I read a study recently that they found no carcass difference in Zilmax and Optaflexx™ Ractopamine for Cattle. THey did say that Zilmax experience improved gains. I have not used Zilmax but have used OptaFlexx. You do want to make sure you have plenty of fat. The gains I thought were minimal and I noticed slightly more aggressive behavior. Maybe that was just us. I didn't feel like the benefits were worth the cost.
 

cowgirl sue

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May 2, 2011
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I had hoped to get more responses with specific experiences.  I do appreciate the responses I received.  Do you think that most of the cattle that are doing good are using these products?
 

MCC

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Nov 27, 2010
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LAMAR,CO
Both are meant to be fed for approximately 3 weeks at the very end of the feeding period (there's a three day withdrawal).

There is no withdraw on Optiflex. Optiflex is fed the last 30 days while Zilmax is fed the last 21 days with a 3 day withdraw period. Optiflex won't muscle one up like Zilmax but it isn't as hard on the quality grade as Zilmax is.
 

DLD

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sw Oklahoma
I meant to say the 3 day withdrawal was on zilmax.  We never used optaflex for more than 21days either.

I never felt like the finish on our steers suffered from using zilmax. I know that zilmax can dramatically increase weight gain, I've seen steers go from 1.5 lbs/day before zilmax, to 3+ lbs/day with it.

All of this doesn't mean that I think every show steer out there needs zilmax, but I do believe it has it's place.
 

colosteers

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Sep 9, 2007
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93
This is probably not what you are looking for, but I have seen optiflex used in a big feed yard.

The first time I ever heard of optiflex was close to ten yrs ago.   The feed lot that I was working at part time split about 5 pens ( may be 250 hd each) into two groups as they were reimplanting, the first through the chute went to the right and the gate was swung and the second to the left- 3rd tothe right  --ect.   Then they fed one half optiflex and not the other half.  I got to see the end results after harvest, the half fed optiflex was just a very small bit better on gain, conversion, backfat, and and rib eye --- BUT--- 15% to 30% less choice and primes than their mates not fed optiflex.  The manager told me that was the end of that and it was kind of a test through the company that sold optiflex.

Years later, this lot sold to new owners and one morning I was sent to bring a pen up to be shipped out ( which I normally did not do).   I could not believe how bad these cattle walked and seemed stiff and slow.   I asked one of the guys if there was some thing wrong with these or if this was normal for feed lot cattle in hard frozen pens or something.   He didnt seem to know or care and several weeks later, I over heard one of the feeders asking for the pen numbers that were going to be fed optiflex, I inquired if the pen I followed up was fed optiflex-- and they were.

Any how -  this is my experience with optiflex and some are comparing it with zilmax which I have no plans of using either one
 
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