Research has shown feedlot cattle can be
successfully introduced to grain-based diets
without the use of antibiotics / Image: Denice Rice

WA research, prompted by increasing global demand for additive-free food, shows that grain-fed, export-quality beef can be produced without the use of antibiotics and other feed additives.

Department of Agriculture food development officer, PhD student Fiona Jones, led the research and says finding efficient methods of raising additive-free beef is essential if WA is to protect its valuable domestic and export markets.

“Beef is the second most popular fresh meat after chicken in Australia and is one of WA’s the highest value export products,” she says.

“However, consumers are now demanding a reduction in the use of additives in food, and export markets increasingly will not accept beef produced using feed additives, particularly antibiotics.”

Fiona says that in order to meet production levels, feedlot cattle are often given grain-based rations which can cause digestive acidosis, possibly leading to reduced productivity and even death. Antibiotics are currently added to grain to reduce the risk of acidosis.

The research now shows that if cattle are given sufficient roughage, and are gradually introduced to grain that has not been too finely crushed, use of antibiotics can be avoided with no drop in quality or production.