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Intervet introduces delayed release combination implantBy Doug Rich Intervet recently introduced the first delayed-release combination implant on the market. The new implant, Revalor-XS, is a one-time implant that reduces stress on the cattle and reduces the labor required to process feedlot cattle. Revalor-XS is a delayed-release combination implant for steers in confinement that combines, in a single implant, the proven performance of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and estradiol as an initial dose of Revalor-IS and a terminal dose of Revalor-S. "The implant truly delivers all the power with half the work," Dr. John Hutcheson, Ph.D. Intervet Director of Performance Technologies, said. "It takes the proven performance of Revalor that cattle feeders depend on and removes the hassle of re-implanting." Dr. Hutcheson said Intervet began working on this single-dose technology in 1993. It went on the market on April 1, 2008. In efficacy trials done by the Feed and Drug Administration (FDA), Revalor-XS was determined to be as good as, or equivalent to, a re-implant program. These trials were done in Colorado, Texas, and Idaho. Intervet would like to conduct 8 to 11 studies this year in large pen situations. Dr. Hutcheson said they would like to have these studies completed by early fall. In these studies they would look at steers on feed from 140 to 240 days. According to information from the quarterly CattleFax implant strategy survey, in cattle weighing 500 to 700 pounds when they were placed on feed, 90 percent of the heifers and 92 percent of the steers were implanted twice. "In the course of our work we will call feedlot managers once a quarter to ask about their implant strategies," Duane Lenz, CattleFax market analyst said. "Then we look at the aggregate rather than individual feedlots. We are interested in the picture as a whole." One of the questions they ask is what type of implant they are using-TBA, estradiol, or a combination. According to the survey, the vast majority of feedlots are using TBAs. Over the last 10 years there has been a switch to TBAs, according to the survey. "Close to 80 percent of the steers and 80 percent of the heifers are receiving TBA implants right now," Lenz said. The survey shows that smaller feedyards are less likely to use a TBA program. Smaller feedlots use estradiols or a combination implant. In larger feedyards about 80 percent of all the cattle are receiving TBAs now. "We used to see a lot of variability from quarter to quarter," Lenz said. "We see less and less of that all the time. Feedlot managers are finding programs that work well and are sticking to them." Overall, Lenz said 500 to 800 pound cattle are receiving two implants 70 to 80 percent of the time. The other 20 to 30 percent are receiving three doses. Intervet believes that Revalor-XS will make it possible for feedyard managers to eliminate the process of re-implanting because of its new delayed-release technology. According to Intervet, the first dose goes to work immediately after implanting, just like Revalor-IS. The second dose, shielded by the patented X7 polymer coating, goes to work 70 to 80 days later to deliver the performance of a Revalor-S terminal implant. Each implant contains 10 pellets, four uncoated and six polymer-coated pellets. It supports increased weight gains and feed efficiency for up to 200 days on feed. Revalor-XS has benefits for the cattle and the cattle feeder. One less trip through the chute reduces stress on the cattle and there is less wear and tear on cattle handling equipment. For the cattle feeder, the implant means management time is minimized. Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com. 5/12/08 Date: 5/6/08
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