Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) – Medicating Ingredient Brochure
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Status: Over the counter
Date of revision: August 2018
| Approved livestock species | Approved claim(s) (abbreviated)Table note 1 |
Withdrawal time | Name of approved brand(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finishing heavy tom turkeys (last 14 days prior to slaughter) |
|
0 days |
|
| Finishing heavy hen turkeys (last 7 to 14 days prior to slaughter) |
|
0 days |
|
| Finishing barrows and gilts (starting at 70 kg of body weight) |
|
0 days |
|
| Confined finishing cattle (greater than 400 kg body weight) |
|
0 days |
|
Finishing heavy tom turkeys (last 14 days prior to slaughter)
| Approved claims | Name of approved brand(s) | Drug concentration in DIN product |
|---|---|---|
| Claim 1 |
|
Ractopamine hydrochloride at 20 g/kg |
Approved for use in meal or pellet feed
Claim 1
For increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency in finishing heavy tom turkeys when fed for the last 14 days prior to slaughter.
Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed
5 mg/kg - 9 mg/kg (0.0005% - 0.0009%) of ractopamine hydrochloride in the complete feed.
Directions for use in a complete feed
Feed continuously as sole ration to finishing heavy tom turkeys for the last 14 days prior to slaughter.
Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels
- Thoroughly mix 250 to 450 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 5 to 9 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 5 to 9 mg/kg of feed).
- To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed.
Note (required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Turkeys growing at or near their genetic potential may not be able to respond to ractopamine hydrochloride unless sufficient lysine intake is achieved. Dietary specifications should be determined in consultation with a recognized poultry nutritionist.
Warning
- Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure to this medicated feed. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Keep out of reach of children. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
Caution
- Do not feed to turkeys intended for breeding.
- Feeding ractopamine hydrochloride to tom turkeys during periods of excessive heat can result in increased mortality.
Note (required to appear on medicated feed labels)
- Proper handling techniques should be used to avoid an increased rate of injuries and mortality associated with transportation.
Accepted Compatibilities
Nil
Finishing heavy hen turkeys (last 7 to 14 days prior to slaughter)
| Approved claims | Name of approved brand(s) | Drug concentration in DIN product |
|---|---|---|
| Claim 1 |
|
Ractopamine hydrochloride at 20 g/kg |
Approved for use in meal or pellet feed
Claim 1
For increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency in finishing heavy hen turkeys when fed for the last 7 to 14 days prior to slaughter.
Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed
5 mg/kg - 9 mg/kg (0.0005% - 0.0009%) of ractopamine hydrochloride in the complete feed.
Directions for use in a complete feed
Feed continuously as sole ration to finishing heavy hen turkeys for the last 7 to 14 days prior to slaughter.
Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels
- Thoroughly mix 250 to 450 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 5 to 9 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 5 to 9 mg/kg of feed).
- To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed.
Note (required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Turkeys growing at or near their genetic potential may not be able to respond to ractopamine hydrochloride unless sufficient lysine intake is achieved. Dietary specifications should be determined in consultation with a recognized poultry nutritionist.
Warning
- Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure to this medicated feed. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Keep out of reach of children. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
Caution
- Do not feed to turkeys intended for breeding.
Note (required to appear on medicated feed labels)
- Proper handling techniques should be used to avoid an increased rate of injuries and mortality associated with transportation.
Accepted Compatibilities
Nil
Finishing barrows and gilts (starting at 70 kg of body weight)
| Approved claims | Name of approved brand(s) | Drug concentration in DIN product |
|---|---|---|
| Claims 1, 2 |
|
Ractopamine hydrochloride at 20 g/kg |
Approved for use in meal or pellet feed
Claim 1
For increased carcass leanness and increased dressing percent in finishing barrows and gilts.
Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed
10 mg/kg (0.001%) of ractopamine hydrochloride in the complete feed.
Directions for use in a complete feed
Feed continuously as the sole ration to finishing barrows and gilts intended for slaughter that have a minimum body weight of 70 kg at the beginning of the feeding period until slaughter, for no longer than six (6) weeks.
Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels
- Thoroughly mix 500 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 10 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 10 mg/kg of feed).
- To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed.
Note (required on premix and supplement labels only)
- To obtain the performance benefits of ractopamine hydrochloride, diets should contain a minimum of 16% crude protein, or its equivalent obtained by amino acid (0.85-0.95% lysine) fortification. Dietary specifications should be determined in consultation with a recognized swine nutritionist.
Warning
- Ractopamine hydrochloride is beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure to this medicated feed. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Keep out of reach of children. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
Caution
- Do not feed to breeding swine including pregnant and lactating sows.
- Do not feed to pigs intended to be retained for breeding.
- Do not feed medicated feeds containing ractopamine hydrochloride for more than six (6) weeks.
- The use of ractopamine hydrochloride in pigs finishing over 132 kg body weight has not been studied.
- Pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride may be at increased risk for exhibiting the fatigued or downer pig syndrome particularly when marketed at high body weights. Pig handling methods to reduce the incidence of fatigued or downer pigs should be thoroughly evaluated prior to initiating the use of this medicated feed.
Claim 2
For improved rate of weight gain and feed efficiency in finishing barrows and gilts.
Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed
5 mg/kg - 10 mg/kg (0.0005% - 0.001%) of ractopamine hydrochloride in the complete feed.
Directions for use in a complete feed
Feed continuously as the sole ration to finishing barrows and gilts intended for slaughter that have a minimum body weight of 70 kg at the beginning of the feeding period until slaughter, for no longer than six (6) weeks.
Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels
- Thoroughly mix 250 to 500 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 5 to 10 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 5 to 10 mg/kg of feed).
- To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed.
Note (required on premix and supplement labels only)
- To obtain the performance benefits of ractopamine hydrochloride, diets must contain a minimum of 16% crude protein, or its equivalent obtained by amino acid (0.85-0.95% lysine) fortification. Dietary specifications should be determined in consultation with a recognized swine nutritionist.
Warning
- Ractopamine hydrochloride is beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure to this medicated feed. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Keep out of reach of children. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
Caution
- Do not feed to breeding swine including pregnant and lactating sows.
- Do not feed to pigs intended to be retained for breeding.
- Do not feed medicated feeds containing ractopamine hydrochloride for more than six (6) weeks.
- The use of ractopamine hydrochloride in pigs finishing over 132 kg body weight has not been studied.
- Pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride may be at increased risk for exhibiting the fatigued or downer pig syndrome particularly when marketed at high body weights. Pig handling methods to reduce the incidence of fatigued or downer pigs should be thoroughly evaluated prior to initiating the use of this medicated feed.
Accepted Compatibilities
Nil
Confined finishing cattle (greater than 400 kg body weight)
| Approved claims | Name of approved brand(s) | Drug concentration in DIN product |
|---|---|---|
| Claims 1, 2 |
|
Ractopamine hydrochloride at 100 g/kg |
| Claims 1, 2 |
|
Ractopamine hydrochloride at 4 g/kg |
Approved for use in meal or pellet feed
Optaflexx 100 is approved for use in liquid feed supplements
Claim 1
For increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency in cattle greater than 400 kg body weight fed in confinement during the last 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.
Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed
10 mg/kg - 30 mg/kg (0.001% - 0.003%) of ractopamine hydrochloride in the total diet.
Notes (not required to appear on medicated feed labels)
- Feed labels must state one specific drug level.
- Total diet refers to the complete feed plus the roughage and must be corrected to a 100% dry matter basis.
Additional information (not to appear on feed labels)
- The feeding period referred to in claim 1 as "the last 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter" should be interpreted as meaning that ractopamine hydrochloride can be fed to cattle kept in confinement and weighing more than 400 kg body weight any time between 42 to 28 days prior to slaughter and that it can be fed up to and until the time of slaughter.
Directions
At a level in supplements (dry or liquid), premixes, and complete feeds so that when used as directed, the approved level of drug will be supplied.
Note (not required to appear on medicated feed labels)
- Liquid medicated supplements are only approved with the use of the Optaflexx 100.
Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels
- For the Ractopamine 100, Optaflexx 100 and Actogain 100 premixes: Thoroughly mix 100 to 300 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 10 to 30 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 10 to 30 mg/kg of feed).
- For the Ractopamine 4 premix: Thoroughly mix 2.5 to 7.5 kg of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 10 to 30 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 10 to 30 mg/kg of feed).
- To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed.
Feed continuously as sole ration to finishing cattle greater than 400 kg body weight for 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.
Thoroughly mix in the total daily diet before use.
Do not feed undiluted.
Medicated supplement or premix fed as a % of total diet dry matter:
Mixing medicated supplements or premixes as a % of total diet dry matter is ideal. The following calculation can be used to assist in determining the amount of ractopamine hydrochloride required per kg of supplement or premix to meet the approved level of drug in the total diet dry matter:
mg ractopamine hydrochloride/kg dry supplement or premix =
approved drug level (mg/kg total diet dry matter) × 100 ÷
% inclusion of supplement or premix into diet on a 100% dry matter basis
Medicated supplement or premix fed as a fixed amount/head/day:
It may sometimes be preferable to mix the medicated supplement or premix in the total diet as a fixed amount/head/day. The approved levels of ractopamine hydrochloride must be converted to mg/head/day/head/day to accommodate this type of feeding. To do this, the following calculation is used:
mg/head/day = weight of animal (kg) × dry matter intake (% of body weight) × approved drug level (mg/kg total diet dry matter).
Note that feed labels will be required to state both the body weight of the cattle being fed as well as their dry matter intake.
Warning
- Do not feed to calves to be processed for veal.
- Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure to this medicated feed. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Keep out of reach of children. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Do not feed to lactating dairy cattle.
Caution
- Do not use this medicated feed after nine (9) weeks of storage. (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 only)
- This medicated feed must be maintained in a pH range of 4.5 - 7.5. (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 only)
Claim 2
For increased carcass leanness in cattle greater than 400 kg body weight fed in confinement during the last 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.
Level of medicating ingredient in a complete feed
20 mg/kg - 30 mg/kg (0.002% - 0.003%) of ractopamine hydrochloride in the total diet.
Notes (not required to appear on medicated feed labels)
- Feed labels must state one specific drug level.
- Total diet refers to the complete feed plus the roughage and must be corrected to a 100% dry matter basis.
Additional information (not to appear on feed labels)
- The feeding period referred to in claim 2 as "the last 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter" should be interpreted as meaning that ractopamine hydrochloride can be fed to cattle kept in confinement and weighing more than 400 kg body weight any time between 42 to 28 days prior to slaughter and that it can be fed up to and until the time of slaughter.
Directions
At a level in supplements (dry or liquid), premixes, and complete feeds so that when used as directed, the approved level of drug will be supplied.
Note (not required to appear on medicated feed labels)
- Liquid medicated supplements are only approved with the use of Optaflexx 100.
Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels
- For the Ractopamine 100, Optaflexx 100 and Actogain 100 premixes: Thoroughly mix 200 to 300 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 20 to 30 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 20 to 30 mg/kg of feed).
- For the Ractopamine 4 premix: Thoroughly mix 5.0 to 7.5 kg of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed to provide 20 to 30 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 20 to 30 mg/kg of feed).
- To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed.
Feed continuously as sole ration to finishing cattle greater than 400 kg body weight for 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.
Thoroughly mix in the total daily diet before use.
Do not feed undiluted.
Medicated supplement or premix fed as a % of total diet dry matter:
Mixing medicated supplements or premixes as a % of total diet dry matter is ideal. The following calculation can be used to assist in determining the amount of ractopamine hydrochloride required per kg of supplement or premix to meet the approved level of drug in the total diet dry matter:
mg ractopamine hydrochloride/kg dry supplement or premix =
approved drug level (mg/kg total diet dry matter) × 100 ÷
% inclusion of supplement or premix into diet on a 100% dry matter basis
Medicated supplement or premix fed as a fixed amount/head/day:
It may sometimes be preferable to mix the medicated supplement or premix in the total diet as a fixed amount/head/day. The approved levels of ractopamine hydrochloride must be converted to mg/head/day to accommodate this type of feeding. To do this, the following calculation is used:
mg/head/day = weight of animal (kg) × dry matter intake (% of body weight) × approved drug level (mg/kg total diet dry matter).
Note that feed labels will be required to state both the body weight of the cattle being fed as well as their dry matter intake.
Warning
- Do not feed to calves to be processed for veal.
- Ractopamine hydrochloride is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure to this medicated feed. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
- Keep out of reach of children (Required on premix and supplement labels only).
- Do not feed to lactating dairy cattle.
Caution
- Do not use this medicated feed after nine (9) weeks of storage. (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 only)
- This medicated feed must be maintained in a pH range of 4.5 - 7.5. (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 only)
Accepted Compatibilities
Nil
- Date modified: