The perfect match for better gain

MFA has long delivered performance-focused feeds such as Cadence, Full Throttle and Cattle Charge to help producers achieve better gains and greater efficiency. Now, that evolution continues with the introduction of Super Beef, a new line of targeted supplements that take the next step in cattle nutrition. 

Rather than relying on crude protein percentages alone, Super Beef uses advanced concepts of amino acid balance and effective energy to meet cattle’s actual needs for growth and performance. It’s a different way of thinking, admits Dr. Jim White, MFA director of livestock nutrition. 

“If a producer’s decision is based solely on cost per ton of feed, this isn’t the right product,” he said. “But if the decision is about cost of gain, and if they’re set up to capture that improved performance, Super Beef can create real value.”

Whether a producer is using high-corn rations, corn silage or a forage-heavy diet of pasture and hay, the Super Beef line has a supplement designed to match. The three main formulas are:

• Super Beef for Corn-Based Rations (#443368)

• Super Beef for Corn Silage Programs (#443369)

• Super Beef for Forage/Soy Hull-Based Systems (#443367)

A companion creep feed (#443356) and a supplement to complement it (#443365) round out the initial offerings.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all protein percentage, each Super Beef product is built for the nutritional profile and feeding style of its target system. The amount of urea, rumen-degradable protein and rumen-undegradable protein varies by product based on energy and microbial needs of the specific feeding scenario.

“Where we’re seeing the best fit is that 90-day growing stocker calf,” White said. “We can see a return of somewhere around $30 to $40 per head, principally due to a heavier calf weight and more efficient feed conversion.” 

Super Beef also helps reduce feed waste, labor and even manure handling in drylot settings, White added, noting that this program is not just about better cattle performance. It’s about a shift in mindset—making feeding decisions based on real animal needs.

“Cattle don’t have a protein requirement,” he said. “They have an amino acid requirement. If we balance diets based on that, we get better results.”

The Super Beef line is rooted in years of research by now-retired University of Missouri professor Dr. Monty Kerley, who advanced the concept of effective energy (EE). Unlike the traditional net energy system, which treats protein and fat gain equally, EE is based on the fact that building muscle is more efficient than putting on fat.

“If we can meet the animal’s amino acid needs for muscle growth, we can actually see them reach satiety sooner,” White said. “That improves feed efficiency and reduces intake without sacrificing gain.”

This model also helps avoid an overfeeding approach that can lead to wasted feed and higher yardage costs. 

“Instead of trying to get another pound of feed in them, we’re asking, ‘What’s the most efficient way to use the feed we’ve already got?’” White explained.

Super Beef supplements are currently milled at MFA’s Kirksville facility but can be delivered wherever there’s demand. White emphasizes that the program isn’t for everyone—it’s best suited for raising post-weaned stocker calves or finishing cattle in managed systems.

“If you’ve got calves in a pasture with no infrastructure, this might not be your product,” he said. “But if you’re set up to take advantage of improved efficiencies, Super Beef is worth a look.”