Is there current research to support phytogenic supplements in cattle nutrition?

What is phytogenics?

Phytogenics means “derived from plants.” Specifically, secondary metabolites from plants (metabolites used to help the plant survive its environment) have been proven, to some extent, to improve animal health or growth.

How, exactly? These secondary metabolites of plants have “information” that can be transferred to the animal via the binding of receptors in the small intestine and immune cells. This receptor-mediated cell activation can improve animal well-being through improved nutrient absorption, immune response and systemic inflammation reduction.

What are some common plants used in phytogenic feed additives? Chiles (capsicum), garlic, clove, cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper have all been used in animal nutrition. However, it is important to understand that if fed in a proper form and dose, phytocomplexes (more than one phytogenic compound) that result from blending some of these phytogen sources together can have a more pronounced positive effect on animal performance. In the past, a specific phytochemical (one compound) was used to address a specific problem, which really limited the potency and efficacy of the phytogenic supplement.

Is there current scientific evidence that phytogens work?

In short, yes! However, the responses are not always the same or of the same magnitude … which is typical of biological responses.

A proprietary blend of turmeric, black pepper and capsicum extracts has been evaluated. Turmeric has been shown to improve passive immunity via improving colostrum quality in monogastric animals. Black pepper has been proven to aid the absorption and utilization of turmeric. Finally, capsicum from chili pepper has been proven to reduce inflammation. Based on these principles, two studies were conducted at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and Texas A&M University to evaluate the feeding of these phytogenic extracts in combination with one another on transfer of passive immunity, colostrum and milk components, and cow-calf performance.

The SDSU study utilized 3-year-old Angus-based cows consuming a high-quality silage-based diet. Cows were either fed with no phytogen supplement (control) or 250 milligrams per head per day or 500 milligrams per head per day of the phytogen supplement containing the proprietary blend of turmeric, black pepper and capsicum extracts. From a timeline standpoint, the phytogen supplement would have been fed from 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum to the cows. In this study, there was an improvement in colostrum fat content, as well as milkfat and volume for the cows receiving the phytogen supplement. Calf serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were also improved for calves nursing cows receiving the highest level of phytogen supplementation. More specifically, calves nursing cows fed the highest level of phytogen supplement had greater levels of IgA in serum 24 hours postpartum compared to calves nursing control cows. Moreover, IgM level in colostrum was higher at 24 hours postpartum for cows supplemented with the highest level of phytogens compared to the control cows.

Texas A&M performed a similar study evaluating the same treatments over the same timeline relative to calving but with first-calf heifers on a lower-quality hay-based diet. Transfer of passive immunity was improved with the feeding of the phytogen supplement containing the same proprietary blend of turmeric, black pepper and capsicum extracts. Colostrum levels of IgA, IgG and especially IgM were improved with the feeding of the phytogen complex at the highest level. Calf serum levels of IgG measured at 48 hours postpartum improved with increasing level of phytogen supplementation. These passive immunity enhancements, along with possible improvements in milk production, allowed for a 16.5-pound improvement in calf weight gain compared to the control calves for the first 56 days postpartum. Overall, there was a 35-pound weight advantage for calves nursing cows on the highest level of phytogen supplementation relative to the control from birth to weaning (Figure 1).

What about using phytogen supplementation on growing cattle after weaning?

Once calves are off to a good start at the side of their mother, can the use of phytogens support weaning and receiving programs and/or finishing programs? A different proprietary blend combining garlic, clove and capsicum was tested on receiving cattle and finishing cattle in Oklahoma and South Dakota. Clove and garlic extracts are known to have a beneficial effect on gut health and gut barrier function. Again, capsicum can reduce systemic inflammation that unnecessarily drains cattle of energy, aiding in production and giving cattle a better ability to fight off disease. Two receiving studies and two finishing studies demonstrated that the feeding of this blend of phytogens improved feed efficiency. In fact, feed efficiency was improved more drastically in the SDSU finishing study during a heat stress event. Heat stress is a known contributor to gut dysfunction and poor gut health. The SDSU researchers pooled the data from the four studies and determined that feeding the phytogenic complex at 500 milligrams per head per day improved feed-to-gain ratio from 5.66 to 5.53 (Table 1).

So what does this all mean?

There are no silver bullets for improving beef cattle production. However, major progress in the phytogenic supplementation space may allow for an economical way to improve whatever nutritional plan beef cattle may already be on. The studies mentioned here indicate that performance responses can be improved at various points in the production cycle. A producer’s target production parameter determines which phytogenic blend makes the most sense for his or her beef cattle operation.