Feed•Lot reported in the November/December 2002 issue on the research of the feed additive Tasco by Texas Tech University. The results are evidence of: (1) reduced Escherichia coli shedding, (2) increased marbling, and (3) improved red color shelf life of meat. Later Feed•Lot reported the suggestion by a committee of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association of the use of Tasco along with other tactics as a method to reduce E. coli 0157:H7 at slaughter time.

Continued research, experience
Dr. Harry Anderson, a livestock nutritionist and consultant has been following the development of Tasco by the Acadian Agritech of Nova Scotia and the Texas Tech research led by Dr. Vivian Allen and co-workers. Dr. Anderson’s company BioRemedies is one of the distributors of Tasco.

Dr. Anderson reports there is more research underway at Texas Tech regarding using the product for improved marbling and increased shelf life of retail cuts of beef. Dr. John Blanton is the major researcher for the meat science studies.

Tasco for fescue pasture
One of the applications of Tasco, explains Dr. Anderson, is using it to supplement endophyte infected pastures. He recommends mixing 10 percent Tasco-14 premix with a free choice pasture mineral to insure the intake needed. The results are less toxicity and increased pasture gains.

Starting cattle first 14 days
The recommendation is 0.14 to 0.15 pounds per day of Tasco-14 premix for the first 14 days. For example, Anderson suggests using 1% of the dry matter for 500 pound cattle. The results demonstrated by the research and confirmed by his clients are reduced pulls for sickness and less re-pulls.

Prevention of E. coli shedding
The recommendation is one to two percent of the dry matter for the last two weeks of the feeding program. In my opinion, it appears logical that Tasco may be more beneficial during periods of extreme mud and manure on the hides.

Reduction of fly populations
Dr. Anderson says that some feedlot and pasture operators are reporting fewer flies around the cattle when Tasco is used. He stressed these are field observations and not documented by research. ©