When it comes to cattle — whether you’re running a cow-calf operation, managing a feedlot, raising Wagyu for the premium beef market, or growing Longhorns for their iconic horn development — weight gain and rate of gain are everything. They determine your feed costs, your time to market, your carcass value, and ultimately your bottom line. Every serious cattleman knows that getting cattle to gain efficiently isn’t just about throwing more feed at them. It’s about what’s happening inside the animal — in the rumen, in the gut, and at the cellular level.
At Outlaw Nutrition, we built Stocked Up with exactly that in mind. This premium livestock nutrition supplement combines the power of cold-milled flaxseed — one of nature’s richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids — with a unique microbial fermentation ingredient that works differently than anything else on the market. Together, these two components address the root causes that hold cattle back from gaining weight efficiently: poor gut function, chronic low-grade inflammation, and suboptimal nutrient absorption. The result is cattle that eat better, digest better, recover faster, and gain more consistently — whether you’re raising commercial beef cattle, premium Wagyu, or trophy Longhorns.
Why Gut Health Is the Foundation of Weight Gain
Before we talk about what Stocked Up does, it helps to understand why so many cattle struggle to gain weight the way their owners expect. The answer almost always comes back to the gut.
A healthy rumen and digestive tract are the engine of cattle performance. When beneficial bacteria flourish in the rumen, feed is broken down efficiently, nutrients are absorbed at a higher rate, and the animal gets maximum value out of every pound of feed it consumes. When that microbial balance is disrupted — by weaning stress, transport, environmental changes, new feed programs, or illness — everything suffers. Feed intake drops. Daily gains stall. The animal burns energy fighting internal stress rather than building muscle and body condition.
This is where Stocked Up’s unique microbial fermentation ingredient sets it apart from conventional supplements. Unlike probiotics, which introduce live bacteria that must survive stomach acid and compete for colonization, this ingredient is a non-viable abiotic fermentation product. It works by feeding and stimulating the native beneficial bacteria already present in the animal’s gut — making them more numerous, more active, and more efficient. University research at Utah State University found that this ingredient increased total rumen bacteria counts to 16.22 × 10¹⁰ per milliliter, compared to just 2.09 in the control group. By comparison, yeast culture reached only 2.55 and other leading fermentation products topped out at 3.34. That is not a small difference. That is a fundamentally different level of rumen activity driving feed utilization and nutrient absorption.
The downstream effects are significant and well-documented. In dairy cows, this ingredient increased crude protein digestibility by up to 7.22%, NDF digestibility by up to 8.27%, and ADF digestibility by up to 13.52%. In lambs fed a 75:25 roughage-to-grain ration, it improved dry matter digestibility by 14%, crude protein digestibility by 16.1%, crude fiber digestibility by 16.4%, and total digestible nutrients by 13.5%. Better digestibility means more value extracted from every dollar of feed — a direct impact on profitability.
In newly arrived feedlot cattle — one of the most challenging situations in beef production — this ingredient increased daily feed intake by 11.6% in the first two weeks and drove an 18.1% improvement in average daily gain. It also outperformed both yeast culture and Probios in a New Mexico State University feedlot study, posting the highest daily feed intake and the highest average daily gain of any group tested. For incoming cattle that are stressed, off feed, and fighting to find their footing, getting them eating quickly is critical. Stocked Up helps do exactly that.
The Role of Cold-Milled Flax in Cattle Weight Gain
The second major driver in Stocked Up is cold-milled flaxseed, and its impact on cattle performance goes far deeper than most producers realize.
Flax is one of the most energy-dense, nutrient-rich feedstuffs available — 42% fat, 23% protein, and a TDN of 110%, which is higher than corn. That energy density matters, but what makes flax truly exceptional is the type of fat it provides. Flax contains 55% omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in its oil, making it the richest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids in existence. Corn oil contains just 1% omega-3. Soybean oil contains 7%. This distinction is not trivial — it is the difference between a fat source that drives inflammation and one that resolves it.
Chronic low-grade inflammation is one of the most underappreciated barriers to weight gain in cattle. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) alone costs the beef industry an estimated $1 billion annually. Even subclinical inflammation — the kind that doesn’t show obvious symptoms — diverts energy away from muscle growth, impairs feed efficiency, and limits how well cattle respond to antibiotic treatment when they do get sick. Research at Kansas State University demonstrated that flax-fed calves showed a partial suppression of the inflammatory substance tumor necrosis factor alpha, responded more favorably to antibiotic therapy, had fewer re-treatments, and experienced reduced death loss.
In a KSU study examining disease-challenged feeder heifers, cattle fed flax during the 56-day receiving period finished 20 pounds heavier than the control group. In an NDSU study using processed flax at 8% of diet dry matter, flax-fed cattle gained 3.42 pounds per day versus 3.08 for the no-fat control group, on nearly a pound less feed per day. Feed efficiency improved by more than 12%. Critically, unlike tallow and other fat sources that often depress intake in stressed cattle, flax actually improved feed intake — particularly during that critical first week after arrival.
The carcass benefits are equally compelling. Multiple KSU studies found 10% to 30% more USDA Choice cattle in flax-fed groups compared to controls, generating an extra $6 to $18 per head. One study saw beef breed calves go from 30% Choice to 60% Choice after flax feeding. Flax achieves this in part through fat repartitioning — directing fat deposition toward intramuscular marbling rather than seam fat and backfat. In one Texas feedlot trial, cattle supplemented with the unique microbial fermentation ingredient in Stocked Up showed a 41.4% improvement in marbling score.
Stocked Up and Wagyu: Unlocking the Full Potential of Nature’s Most Prized Beef
Wagyu producers operate at the premium end of the beef market, where marbling isn’t just a quality metric — it’s everything. The marbling score determines the value of your animal, the price your beef commands, and the reputation of your program. While Wagyu genetics provide a unique predisposition toward intramuscular fat development, genetics alone don’t maximize that potential. Nutrition, stress management, and gut health play equally critical roles in determining whether a Wagyu animal reaches its marbling ceiling.
Wagyu cattle have a genetic distinction that sets them apart from all other breeds: a natural tendency to deposit fat intramuscularly at a far higher rate than conventional cattle, producing the fine, densely distributed marbling that earns premium BMS scores. That marbling is composed largely of monounsaturated fatty acids — primarily oleic acid — which is why Wagyu fat has a lower melting point, a buttery texture, and a fatty acid profile more similar to olive oil than conventional beef. Wagyu beef also contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than other beef breeds, which contributes to its anti-inflammatory properties and its growing recognition as a health-conscious premium protein.
This is where Stocked Up becomes a powerful tool for the Wagyu producer. The omega-3 fatty acids from cold-milled flax in Stocked Up work synergistically with Wagyu’s natural marbling genetics. Research has shown that feeding methods incorporating flax and other omega-3-rich sources increase the concentration of beneficial fatty acids in beef tissue while supporting intramuscular fat deposition, which defines Wagyu quality. The anti-inflammatory properties of flax-derived omega-3s also reduce the systemic stress that can divert energy away from the slow, steady fat deposition that Wagyu marbling requires. Wagyu producers know that a stressed animal doesn’t marble well — and Stocked Up’s unique microbial ingredient directly addresses that by maintaining feed intake, supporting gut stability, and keeping animals calm and eating consistently through the long feeding periods that Wagyu programs demand.
The fat repartitioning effect documented in flax research — where intramuscular fat is favored over seam and backfat — aligns perfectly with what Wagyu producers are trying to achieve. Every point of marbling score improvement translates directly into higher carcass value. Combined with the 41.4% marbling score improvement observed in feedlot cattle supplemented with Stocked Up’s microbial ingredient, the case for Wagyu producers to incorporate Stocked Up into their feeding program is compelling.
Beyond marbling, Wagyu programs are defined by their commitment to low-stress environments and consistent, quality nutrition over extended feeding periods. Stocked Up supports both. It integrates seamlessly into existing rations without disrupting intake, it is compatible with all feeds and medications, and its 2-year shelf life makes it practical for operations that plan months in advance.
Stocked Up and Texas Longhorns: Supporting the Growth and Strength That Defines the Breed
Texas Longhorns are one of the most iconic breeds in American cattle history, and for serious Longhorn breeders, horn development is a defining measure of quality. Trophy horn growth is the result of a complex interaction between genetics, management, and nutrition — and nutrition plays a more significant role than many producers appreciate.
Horn is not simply a single material. The outer horn shell is composed of over 90% protein — specifically keratin, the same structural protein found in hooves, hair, and nails. The inner core is bone, which is over 90% calcium. Growing exceptional horns requires both, and it requires the full spectrum of minerals, amino acids, and nutrients that support protein synthesis, bone development, and tissue integrity throughout the animal’s life. As Longhorn expert Dickinson Cattle Co. notes, no single mineral grows horn — it takes a total balance of nutrients working together.
Stocked Up directly supports this by delivering cold-milled flax with its 22%+ protein and rich amino acid profile — including arginine, glutamic acid, leucine, and aspartic acid — alongside the unique microbial fermentation ingredient that maximizes how well the animal absorbs and utilizes those nutrients. When the gut is functioning at a high level, the nutrients the animal consumes are actually getting into circulation and reaching the tissues where horn growth happens. When digestibility is poor, even a well-formulated ration fails to deliver its potential.
The omega-3 fatty acids in Stocked Up contribute to horn and hoof integrity through their anti-inflammatory properties. Research on keratin formation confirms that chronic inflammation and lactic acid buildup — both addressed by the flax and the microbial ingredient in Stocked Up — can compromise the quality and structural integrity of horn tissue. Healthy blood flow, reduced systemic inflammation, and strong immune function all support the continuous keratin production that drives horn growth in Longhorns. The same omega-3s that help feedlot cattle avoid respiratory disease and recover from stress help Longhorns maintain the consistent physiological state needed for steady, healthy horn development.
Longhorns are also known for their hardiness and efficient grazing, but like all cattle, their diets are often deficient in omega-3 fatty acids — especially when hay replaces fresh pasture in winter months or during drought. Stocked Up fills that gap efficiently, providing the plant-based omega-3 foundation that supports inflammation control, immune health, coat quality, and the overall vitality that makes a Longhorn look and perform its best. A Longhorn in peak nutritional condition carries a more vibrant coat, maintains better body condition, and expresses the genetic potential for horn development that its bloodlines carry.
What This Means Across Your Operation
Whether you are pushing rate of gain in the feedlot, maximizing marbling scores in a Wagyu program, supporting trophy horn development in registered Longhorns, managing show cattle, breeding stock, or simply trying to get more out of every bag of feed across a commercial cow-calf operation, Stocked Up delivers results that show up where it matters. It addresses the entire performance chain — from rumen function and nutrient digestibility to inflammation management, feed efficiency, and the specific nutritional demands of specialty breeds.
As one Stocked Up customer shared after just a month on the product: “We noticed results after a month with each having softer and shinier coats along with great weight gain. They all put on over 100 lbs in a month!” Another noted that their 11-month-old steers, not yet on full feed, achieved an excellent growth rate with zero illness or bloating — and looked for the supplement at every feeding.
Stocked Up Fits Any Operation
Stocked Up covers cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, and other multi-species livestock, making it a versatile tool for diversified operations. It is all-natural, low sugar, low starch, and compatible with antibiotics and medicated feeds. Top-dressed over existing rations at 1/2 cup per 350 pounds of body weight per day — adjusted by weight, age, and need — it integrates without disrupting existing programs. Its 2-year shelf life means you can stock up in bulk without worrying about freshness, and it stores easily in any cool, dry location.
Explore Stocked Up and our full lineup, including Big Hoss for horses and Unleashed for canines. Read more real-world success stories at our customer reviews page, or call us at 612-465-0417 to talk through what Stocked Up can do for your specific operation.
Fuel your cattle like the athletes they are — because every pound of gain matters.