Optaflexx

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jwoods

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Jan 15, 2014
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Ok, I know this has been spoken about quite a bit in the past but I have to bring it up again.  New user, not a new reader.

We have an American show calf that's placed very well in summer shows and the county.  Not won, but great comments regarding big bone, straight lines, just overall a big powerful steer.  One very, very consistent comment we've received is hip width.  Basically, his butt needs to be a little rounder and more plump.  This is not a "pasture" steer, this came from a very well known American breeder out of show stock heifer and bull.  So the genetics are decent.  Breeder has been very involved.  We have a major show next month and another in March depending on how the one next month goes.  The breeder has suggested implanting him and placing him on Optaflexx.  My question is this.  With all the experience on here, has anyone seen this type of regimen help put a butt on a show steer?  Has anyone seen any negative effects?  And if I start Optaflexx now and don't do well at the first major, do I / can I start a 2nd regimen for it in March.  The shows are approximately 30 days apart.  Your input is greatly appreciated.

(We are in the East Tx / Houston area by the way if that matters)
 

rackranch

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Jul 14, 2010
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under the X in Texas
There is no way I would implant and starts it and this point unless your steer is super fat and super sound.  I don't think I would do both at this point for SA no matter what.  If you steer is eating well the flexx should be sufficient. Yes, it does work but you will not put on fat once you start it. 

Also, I haven't gotten as good as of a response when using the second time around.  Here is what I suggest.  If you steer is already fat I would start now for SA and add Corn oil, or some fat of your choice, to his diet while on it.  If he is not fat, I would get him as fat as I could and then start him on it for Houston.
 

chambero

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Feb 12, 2007
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Common delimma we all face in TX.

I'm a big believer in implants, specifically Revalor G or S - whichever you can get, but I don't usually hit them with them till late.  Ideally you'd have implanted about a 30-45 days ago for FW.  If you get it done today, you can help your calf before Fort Worth with a normal dose (3 clicks) of Revalor G.  If your calf has structural issues - use one click of G.  That was a regimen I used for a 4th place Class 9 exotic steer last year at FW.  Pretty, not quite thick enough, but a little too straight on the front to chance implant/zilmax combo.

A lot of people used it for a long time till it was replaced with Zilmax, but I never liked Optaflexx.  Most of the calves I used it on seemed to go off feed.  Might have just been me.  Of course now that Zilmax is much harder to get folks are going back.

I'd suggest using an implant ASAP (and I mean today if you are taking him to FW), and then adding Optaflexx to your regimen for your second show (assume its Houston) if that isn't getting it done. 

Just saw Rackranch's post and I don't disagree with what he said.  You can blow one up with borderline structural issues - so you use any of this stuff at your own risk. But they have to be good to place at majors, so you are rolling the dice either way.  I do not always use any of it.  None of my steers this year have implants or will get Zilmax/Optaflex.  I have more of a "pretty" problem than muscle problem this year.  Every calf is different.
 

jwoods

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Jan 15, 2014
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I appreciate the input.  Structurally he's very sound.  Probably the biggest boned American I've ever had or seen.  Really large boned.  Walks well and is extremely stout.  People are always amazed at how big boned he is for an American.  As far as fat, he's not as fat as we'd like him so maybe that's something we need to work on and plan on the Optaflexx for Houston and just implant right now for SA.  He's got all the right pieces, just needs a bigger, rounder butt.  I've never heard of corn oil in the feed to put on fat.  Interesting.  We've had him on Finishing Touch for quite a while.  I've also heard adding regular corn would help as well, just haven't tried. it.
 

chambero

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Implants are going to hurt you on the fat also.  It's always a balancing act.

At this stage if you are going to add corn, cook it.  I would first add one of the very good fat supplements out there (Power Fuel by Purina, Stand Alone, Golden Flow, etc - whatever you can get).  I prefer those over corn oil, but corn oil does work.  Vegetable oil can work also.  With both you can get diahrea pretty easy.
 

jwoods

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Jan 15, 2014
Messages
3
Thank you.  Good point.  I'll stay away from the oils then.  Definitely do not want to start a diarrhea issue at this point.  I'll look into the power fuel.  Any particular one a favorite for getting a "big ol' butt" put on? 
 
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