Benefits of Chromium in Beef Cattle

KemTRACE^® Chromium-OR — an OMRI Listed^®, organic-compliant form of chromium propionate — is also available in the U.S. for use in organic beef cattle diets.

KemTRACE Chromium and KemTRACE Chromium-OR are manufactured in the U.S., sourced from U.S.-based raw materials and are available in two product concentrations:

• 0.04% for use in complete diets
• 0.4% for use in a premix prior to inclusion in complete diets

Insulin is the Key

Insulin acts as a "key" that unlocks the cell "door," allowing blood glucose to enter and be used as energy. Chromium improves insulin function and results in efficient clearance of glucose from the bloodstream leading to more cellular energy where your cattle need it.¹

Unlocking more energy:

• Improves immune function — Upon activation, immune cells become obligate glucose utilizers.² Increased glucose uptake may help animals mount an immune response even under a severe immune challenge.
• Increases protein accretion — Additional glucose in the muscle cell provides the energy for optimizing protein synthesis, resulting in improved live performance and increased hot carcass weight.³
• Maximizes feed efficiency — Chromium supplementation for beef cattle has been shown to alter insulin action and either increase dry matter intake or minimize a drop in feed intake among animals subjected to stress.^4,5,6
  
• Helps withstand the effects of stress — Chromium decreases serum cortisol during stressful periods,⁷ reducing glucose consumption by immune cells so the immune response doesn't shift energy away from production.⁸

Why the Mode of Action Matters

By understanding a product's mode of action, you can be confident that it will provide benefits for your animals. See the KemTRACE Chromium mode of action at work.

KemTRACE Chromium Mode of Action

Explore Years of Knowledge and Research

Download the literature below to unlock more about KemTRACE Chromium.

Chromium for Beef Literature

References

¹Mertz, W. (1992). Chromium: History and nutritional importance. Biological Trace Element Research. 32:3-8.
²Palsson-McDermott E. M. and L. A. O’Neill. (2013). The Warburg effect then and now: From cancer to inflammatory diseases. BioEssays. 35:965-973.
³Johnson, B., J. Baggerman, J. Kim and Z. Smith. (2016). Chromium propionate enhances feedlot performance and carcass quality through changes in nutrient metabolism. Plains Nutrition Conference.
⁴Alsaiady, M., et al. (2004). Effect of chelated chromium supplementation on lactation performance and blood parameters of Holstein cows under heat stress. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 117:223-233.
⁵An-Qiang, L., W. Zhi-Sheng and Z. An-Guo. (2009). Effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on early lactation performance, rectal temperatures, respiration rates and plasma biochemical response of Holstein cows under heat stress. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 8.
⁶Vargas-Rodriguez, C. F., et al. (2014). Effects of supplemental chromium propionate and rumen-protected amino acids on productivity, diet digestibility, and energy balance of peak-lactation dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 97:3815-3821.
⁷Mowat, D. N. (1996). Supplemental organic chromium for beef and dairy cattle. Proceedings of Asia-Pacific Lecture Tour. 31.
⁸Stoakes, S. K., et al. (2015). Estimating glucose requirements of an activated immune system in Holstein steers. Journal of Animal Science. 93:s3/Journal of Dairy Science. 98:s2.
⁹Weekes, T. E. C. (1991). Hormonal control of glucose metabolism (symposium paper). 7th International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology. 183.
¹⁰Huang, S. and M. P. Czech. (2007, April). The GLUT4 Glucose Transporter. Cell Metabolism. 5(4):237-252.

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