Growth stimulants in perspective

Running a feedlot at maximum profitability is no mean feat. What it comes down to is that you have only around 120 days in which to double the weight of the weaners in your system.

- Koos du Pisanie

The animals must therefore grow quickly and efficiently for the feedlot to generate profit. To achieve this outcome, growth stimulants are utilised in combination with a co-ordinated animal health and nutrition plan to obtain the best results.

The use of growth stimulants is often criticised as it is said to lead to all kinds of negative effects. For example, it has been suggested that it promotes certain types of cancer, that it can have a radical impact on the environment, and that it can affect water quality.

Numerous articles have been written about this topic and scientists have undertaken countless studies. And almost without fail researchers come to the same conclusion: Hormones can be transferred via meat and milk, but the amounts are so negligible that it poses no real danger to humans, animals or the environment.

Success with growth stimulants

Growth stimulants and hormones have been successfully used in beef production for over 50 years. With so many regulations and health measures in place which feedlots and suppliers of livestock medicine and supplements must adhere to, and which regulate each product, there should no longer be unsafe stimulants on the market.

According to Willem Wethmar, CEO of Chalmar Beef, scientists from different disciplines worldwide work together to constantly measure and reassess the safety of various production agents in the food system. He believes that certain politicians and pressure groups are pursuing hidden agendas and are continuously spreading fake news regarding food production systems. This only serves to create uncertainty and suspicion among consumers.

A lifestyle issue