Cattle Supplements Recalled Due To High Urea Levels

Ridley Block Operations Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of Purina-Lix 38 Hi-E and RangeLand 38 Hi-E free-choice supplements for beef cattle because the products may contain excessive levels of urea.

The recall is limited to the following lot and item numbers:

The recalled products were sold in the Ft. Worth and Lubbock, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Okla., areas through retail feed stores. The Purina-Lix 38 Hi-E product comes in 225-pound red plastic tubs and the RangeLand 38 Hi-E comes in 225-pound tan plastic tubs. The lot number DB 00302716 will be found on the label in the guaranteed analysis panel, which is located on the side of the container.

Some of the tubs associated with this lot number contained softened product and levels of urea, a non-protein nitrogen feed ingredient, that exceeded formulated nutrient levels, according to Ridley Block Operations. The company reported that beef cattle with limited forage may be at risk for overconsumption of this free-choice supplement and potentially exposed to urea toxicity.

Signs of urea toxicity include rapid breathing, tremors and slight incoordination followed by severe incoordination, excessive salivation and labored breathing. Eventually, afflicted animals lose the ability to stand. Generally, if not treated, animals may die within four hours, according to the company.

Cattle producers who observe animals that have consumed product from this particular lot number and exhibited any of these symptoms are urged to contact a local veterinarian immediately.

Thirteen beef cattle from a single herd in Oklahoma died after consuming product from this lot, Ridley Block Operations reported.

Cattle producers who have purchased the recalled supplements should discontinue use of the product and return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Cattle producers with questions may contact Land O’Lakes Purina customer service at (817) 878-0269.

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