FAQ
Thank you for your interest in learning more about Zilmax® feed additive. Listed below are answers to commonly posed questions.
Q1. What is Zilmax?
A1. Zilmax is a feed ingredient designed to improve production efficiency in cattle during the last phase of the feeding period.
Q2. What is it used for?
A2. Zilmax is fed to cattle (steers and heifers) during the last 20 to 40 days of the feeding period to produce beef more efficiently. Zilmax provides packers and retailers an increase in red meat yield and carcass cutability, while cattle feeders see benefits of increased live weight gains, increased average daily gain and improved feed efficiency.
Q3. What are the major benefits of Zilmax?
A3. Zilmax:
- Increases dressing percentage
- Increases hot carcass weight
- Increases ribeye area
- Improves yield grade
- Improves cutability
- Increases red meat yield
Additionally, Zilmax:
- Has no effect on 12th rib fat thickness
- Has minimal effect on marbling score when fed for 20 days and reduces marbling scores when fed 40 days
Q4. How does it work?
A4. Zilmax redirects energy utilization in the body to cause an increase in the amount of muscle or (lean protein) as compared to the amount of fat.
Q5. How is this product administered?
A5. In strategically minded and managed feedyard operations, Zilmax is administered through the feed in very small doses (60-90 mg/head/day). Feed containing Zilmax is withdrawn from cattle three days prior to harvest. Intervet works with cattle feeders on feeding and handling protocols to ensure all product handling and usage guidelines are understood and followed.
Q6. How is Zilmax classified?
A6. Zilmax is in a class of organic chemicals defined as beta2 agonists. In humans, certain products in this class are used extensively as bronchodilators to improve breathing in asthmatics, and are safe when used according to labeled directions.
Q7. Can Zilmax be used in natural and organic beef programs?
A7. Depending on the requirements of any particular natural beef program, cattle treated with Zilmax feed additive may or may not meet the criteria of that specific program. At this time, the USDA Certified Organic regulations would not include the use of Zilmax in food labeled as such.
Q8. Why is there a need for products such as Zilmax?
A8. Continuous innovation and improvement within the food industry helps ensure safe and affordable beef for consumers.
Without the technological improvements of the past 50 years, the total U.S. cattle herd required to meet current demand for beef would number more than 180 million animals instead of the current 95 million head, which would have major implications on land use and animal waste issues. For example, at current stocking rates, that 180 million head of cattle would require an additional land area roughly equal to the size of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Kansas combined.
Q9. Is beef from cattle treated with Zilmax feed additive as tender as other beef?
A9. Beef from cattle treated with Zilmax feed additive meets today’s retail market and consumer demand for lean, safe, wholesome beef products.
More than 500 consumer evaluations for taste and tenderness demonstrated equal consumer acceptability for 14-day aged steaks from cattle fed Zilmax feed additive and control-fed cattle. Consumers rated both the cattle fed Zilmax feed additive and control-fed cattle for overall acceptability — 94 percent (Zilmax) vs. 92 percent (control/untreated), and tenderness acceptability — 93 percent (Zilmax) vs. 98 percent (control/untreated).
The natural aging process that improves tenderness in beef performs the same in beef from cattle fed Zilmax as in beef from cattle not fed Zilmax. The 2005 National Beef Quality Audit indicated that 50 percent of retailers surveyed age beef 7 to 14 days and nearly 17 percent age their beef 14 to 21 days. Of the restaurateurs surveyed in the 2005 National Beef Tenderness Study, beef is aged an average of 23 days according to respondents.
Q10. How safe is beef from Zilmax treated cattle?
A10. Zilmax is safe and has gone through rigorous testing to gain FDA approval. Zilmax has undergone numerous animal- and human-safety studies to ensure it provides safe, wholesome beef to the end user. This testing proved that the proper use of Zilmax in cattle poses no animal or human health risks. Additionally, the use of Zilmax has been proven safe in cattle and for beef consumption in international commercial beef production for more than 11 years.
Q11. What about residues?
A11. Feeds containing Zilmax are required to be withdrawn from cattle three days prior to harvest. Zilmax is a registered trademark of Intervet Inc. or an affiliate. © 2007 Intervet Inc. All rights reserved
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