Effects of Vitamin E on Performance of Feedlot Cattle: A Review

Abstract

Vitamin E often is supplemented in diets for calves stressed by shipping and for feedlot cattle. To obtain an overview about the effects of supplemental vitamin E on health and performance, the published literature was summarized and statistically analyzed. Supplemental vitamin E has been tested at levels from 450 to 1600IU per head daily in five studies with shipping-stressed cattle. Daily gain in these receiving trials tended (P<0.14) to be increased (0.92 vs. 0.80 kg), although DM intake was not altered (7.49 vs 7.48 kg/d). Hence, feed to gain ratio tended to be improved (P<0.10) by supplementation (9.0 vs 12.4). Morbidity also tended to be reduced (P<0.14) by supplemental vitamin E (48 vs 55%). Vitamin E has been supplemented at levels from 20 to 2000IU per head daily in 21 comparisons with feedlot cattle. Averaged across these trials, supplemental vitamin E increased (P<.0 02) ADG (1.42 vs 1.38 kg) and tended to improve (P<0.08) feed:gain ratio (6.41 vs 6.53). Numerically, means for fat thickness, quality grade, and yield grade all increased with supplemental vitamin E, but differences were not significant (P=0.14 to 0.36). Although responses to vitamin E may be greatest during the initial stresses of a feeding period, calves fed for a long period may exhibit gain responses to supplemental vitamin E toward the end of the feeding period. The variability of results among feedlot trials suggests that the value of vitamin E supplementation may depend on previous nutritional history and vitamin E status of the cattle at the start, stress level of the calves, and vitamin E content of the basal diet. Mean feed efficiency improvements indicate that vitamin E supplementation of feedlot diets at 500IU daily should be economically justified.