High Octane Champion Drive
Everyday muscle shape, skin quality, and coat conditioner — runs start to finish without interruption
Always read and follow product labels for feeding and sheep safety.
Overview
Champion Drive is Purina’s foundational show supplement — the one product in the High Octane line designed to run continuously from the first day of the project through show day without ever coming off. At 32% crude protein with high levels of fat- and water-soluble vitamins, it conditions skin and coat, supports lean muscle tone and shape, and adds definition through the rack and top. It does not carry the “Fitter” label but works synergistically with fat-building supplements to keep muscle expression visible even as cover develops.
Manufacturer Specifications
Guaranteed Analysis
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 32.00% |
| Lysine (min) | 2.00% |
| Methionine (min) | 0.65% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 5.00% |
| Crude Fiber (max) | 6.00% |
| Acid Detergent Fiber (max) | 5.50% |
| Calcium (min/max) | 1.10–1.60% |
| Phosphorus (min) | 0.83% |
| Sodium (min/max) | 0.01–0.51% |
| Potassium (min) | 1.40% |
| Vitamin A (min) | 15,000 IU/lb |
| Vitamin D3 (min) | 3,040 IU/lb |
| Vitamin E (min) | 350 IU/lb |
| Copper added | None — confirmed sheep-safe |
Key Ingredients / Active Components
| Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|
| Dehulled Soybean Meal | Primary protein source — drives muscle synthesis and amino acid density |
| Fish Meal | High-quality complete protein — supports lean muscle building and amino acid balance |
| Dried Skim Milk | Highly digestible protein + palatability — particularly effective for young lambs |
| Dried Egg Product | Bioavailable protein and amino acids — enhances muscle definition |
| Linseed Meal | Omega-3 fatty acids — coat luster, skin hydration, hide quality |
| Dried Seaweed Meal | Micronutrients and trace minerals — bloom and skin quality support |
| Wheat Germ | Natural vitamin E source + digestible energy |
| Corn Distillers Dried Grains | Bypass protein and energy — supports muscle retention |
| Wheat Middlings / Wheat Bran | Digestible fiber and energy carrier |
| Animal Fat (preserved with Ethoxyquin) | Fat-soluble vitamin carrier, energy density, coat conditioning |
| Calcium Carbonate | Calcium supplementation for bone and structural support |
| Vitamin A (15,000 IU/lb) | Skin cell regeneration, immune function, hide quality |
| Vitamin D3 (3,040 IU/lb) | Calcium/phosphorus metabolism, bone health |
| Vitamin E (350 IU/lb) | Antioxidant, muscle integrity, immune function — critical for show bloom |
Official Feeding Rate
- Rate: 8–16 oz/day as a topdress (confirmed from label)
- Introduction: Can start immediately — no gradual introduction required
- Species notes: No added copper — confirmed safe for sheep. Safe for all show species.
Show Circuit Use
Sources: Rockingham Cooperative blog, Purina Honor Show education articles, reference show program documentation
How Experienced Feeders Actually Use It
Champion Drive is treated as non-negotiable in most competitive show programs — the one supplement that never gets cut regardless of budget or program adjustments. Feeders use it to maintain hide quality and muscle expression from start to finish, and it’s often the first supplement introduced to a new project lamb. The show circuit generally runs it at 8 oz/day as a baseline and bumps to 12–16 oz/day in the final 4–6 weeks when skin and coat quality become critical for the ring.
Real-World Feeding Rate
- Typical rate: 8–16 oz/day
- Introduction timeline: Week 1 of the project — runs uninterrupted to show day
Common Deviations from Label
Label ceiling is 16 oz/day; most show feeders cap at 16 oz/day for sheep and don’t exceed it — higher rates don’t produce noticeably better results and add cost. Some feeders start at 4 oz/day in early weeks when the lamb is young and build up over 2–3 weeks.
Breed-Specific Notes
Particularly valued for Suffolk and Hampshire where rack definition and muscle shape are judged closely. Club lamb feeders use it as a shaping tool in the final weeks to express more rack and loin detail.
Phase Protocols
Weeks 12–9 | Foundation Phase
- Rate: 4–8 oz/day
- Purpose: Establish skin and coat quality baseline, begin muscle conditioning
Weeks 8–6 | Condition Building Phase
- Rate: 8 oz/day
- Purpose: Continue building muscle tone as energy supplements are introduced
Weeks 5–3 | Fill & Shaping Phase
- Rate: 8–12 oz/day
- Purpose: Maintain muscle definition as bloom and fill supplements ramp up
Weeks 2–1 | Final Prep Phase
- Rate: 12–16 oz/day
- Purpose: Peak skin/coat quality, maintain shape heading into show week
Show Week (Days 5–1)
- Rate: 12–16 oz/day — hold steady, no changes
- Purpose: Maintain what’s been built; do not adjust in final week
Show Day
- Feed morning ration including Champion Drive as normal
Stacking Protocols
Pairs with everything — Champion Drive is designed to be compatible with the full High Octane lineup and runs underneath all other supplements. No conflicts identified.
Key stacks:
- Champion Drive + Golden Ticket: the core bloom and muscle combination for the final 6 weeks
- Champion Drive + Fitter 35/52: sharpens muscle definition when a lamb is carrying too much cover
- Champion Drive alone (early weeks): the only supplement needed until the conditioning phase begins
Budget Alternatives
No direct commodity substitute for what Champion Drive does. Its vitamin and amino acid profile is difficult to replicate with bulk ingredients. If budget is extremely tight, it is the one commercial supplement worth prioritizing over all others.
Community Tips
Reserved for verified community submissions — do not populate during initial documentation.
Sources
- https://www.purinamills.com/show-feed/products/detail/purina-high-octane-champion-drive-40lb (manufacturer)
- https://www.rockinghamcoop.com/blog/purina-high-octane-supplements-for-show-lambs (retailer)
- https://www.purinamills.com/show-feed/education/detail/honor-show-guide-to-feeding-show-lambs (manufacturer)