Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) – Medicating Ingredient Brochure

Status: Over the counter

Revised November 2023

Table of approved species and claims
Approved livestock species Approved claim(s) (abbreviated) Table Note 1 Withdrawal time Name of approved brand(s)
Confined finishing cattle (greater than 400 kg body weight)
  • Increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency
  • Increased carcass leanness
 0 days
  • Optaflexx 100
  • Actogain 100
  • Ractopamine 100
  • Ractopamine 4
  • Optigrid

Confined finishing cattle (greater than 400 kg body weight)

Table of approved claims and brands
Approved claims Name of approved brand(s) Drug concentration in DIN product
Claims 1, 2
  • Optaflexx 100
  • Actogain 100
  • Ractopamine 100
  • Optigrid
 Ractopamine hydrochloride at 100 g/kg
Claims 1, 2
  • Ractopamine 4
 Ractopamine hydrochloride at 4 g/kg

Approved for use in meal or pellet feed

Optaflexx 100 and Optigrid are approved for use in liquid feed supplements for further blending into complete feeds

Claim 1

For increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency in confined cattle greater than 400 kg when fed 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 complete feed

Notes (not required to appear on medicated feed labels)

  1. Feed labels must state the specific medicating ingredient concentration used in the feed
  2. The complete feed must be corrected to a 100% dry matter basis

Directions

At a level in supplements (dry or liquid), premixes, and complete feeds so that when used as directed, the approved level of medicating ingredient will be supplied.

Feed continuously as the sole ration to finishing cattle greater than 400 kg for the last 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.

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.

Note (not required to appear on medicated feed labels) Only Optaflexx 100 and Optigrid are approved for use in liquid supplements.

Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels

  1. For the Ractopamine 100, Optaflexx 100, Actogain 100 and Optigrid premixes: thoroughly mix 100 to 300 grams of the approved DIN product per 1000 kg of complete feed (100 % dry matter basis) to provide 10 to 30 grams of ractopamine hydrochloride per tonne of complete feed (or 10 to 30 mg/kg of feed)
  2. 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)
  3. To make a medicated feed supplement or premix that is fed as a percentage of the total diet dry matter content:
    mg ractopamine hydrochloride/kg dry supplement or premix = approved medicating ingredient concentration (mg/kg total diet dry matter) × 100 ÷ inclusion rate (%) of supplement or premix in the diet on a 100% dry matter basis
  4. To make a medicated feed supplement or premix that is fed as a fixed amount/head/day:
    mg/head/day = weight of animal (kg) × dry matter intake (% of body weight) × approved medicating ingredient concentration (mg/kg total diet dry matter)
  5. To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed
  6. Must be thoroughly mixed into feeds before use
  7. Do not feed undiluted

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

  1. No withdrawal period is required when cattle are treated at the recommended level
  2. Do not feed to calves to be processed for veal
  3. Do not feed to lactating dairy cattle
  4. 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)
  5. When mixing and handling a ractopamine hydrochloride premix, use protective clothing, impervious gloves, and a dust mask
    Operators should wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. If accidental eye contact occurs, immediately rinse eyes thoroughly with water. (Required on premix and supplement labels only)
  6. Keep out of reach of children
    (Required on premix and supplement labels only)

Caution

  • Do not use this medicated feed after 9 weeks of storage
    (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 or Optigrid only)
  • This medicated feed must be maintained in a pH range of 4.5 - 7.5
    (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 or Optigrid only)

Claim 2

For increased carcass leanness in confined cattle greater than 400 kg when fed 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 complete feed

Notes (not required to appear on medicated feed labels)

  1. Feed labels must state the specific medicating ingredient concentration used in the feed
  2. The complete feed must be corrected to a 100% dry matter basis

Directions

At a level in supplements (dry or liquid), premixes, and complete feeds so that when used as directed, the approved level of medicating ingredient will be supplied.

Feed continuously as the sole ration to finishing cattle greater than 400 kg for the last 28 to 42 days prior to slaughter.

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.

Note (not required to appear on medicated feed labels) Liquid medicated supplements are only approved with the use of Optaflexx 100 and Optigrid

Additional directions for use that are not required to appear on feed labels

  1. For the Ractopamine 100, Optaflexx 100, Actogain 100 and Optigrid 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)
  2. 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)
  3. To make a medicated feed supplement or premix that is fed as a percentage of the total diet dry matter content:
    mg ractopamine hydrochloride/kg dry supplement or premix = approved medicating ingredient concentration (mg/kg total diet dry matter) × 100 ÷ inclusion rate (%) of supplement or premix in the diet on a 100% dry matter basis
  4. To make a medicated feed supplement or premix that is fed as a fixed amount/head/day:
    mg/head/day = weight of animal (kg) × dry matter intake (% of body weight) × approved medicating ingredient concentration (mg/kg total diet dry matter)
  5. To insure adequate mixing, an intermediate blending step should be performed prior to manufacturing the complete feed
  6. Must be thoroughly mixed into feeds before use
  7. Do not feed undiluted

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

  1. No withdrawal period is required when cattle are treated at the recommended level
  2. Do not feed to calves to be processed for veal
  3. Do not feed to lactating dairy cattle
  4. 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)
  5. When mixing and handling a ractopamine hydrochloride premix, use protective clothing, impervious gloves, and a dust mask
    Operators should wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. If accidental eye contact occurs, immediately rinse eyes thoroughly with water
    (Required on premix and supplement labels only).
  6. Keep out of reach of children (required on premix and supplement labels only)

Caution

  1. Do not use this medicated feed after 9 weeks of storage
    (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 or Optigrid only)
  2. This medicated feed must be maintained in a pH range of 4.5 - 7.5
    (Required on liquid supplement labels containing Optaflexx 100 or Optigrid only)

Accepted compatibilities

Nil

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