The objective of this study was to ascertain how ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation and Zn supplementation affects N retention and Zn absorption in beef steers. No interaction was detected between ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation and Zn supplementation (MIN x BA strategies). There was no effect of ractopamine hydrochloride inclusion on Zn absorption. However, there was an increase of Zn retention with increasing concentrations of supplemental Zn. Additionally, N retention was increased by supranutritional Zn supplementation and also by ractopamine supplementation. Increased N retention may help explain previously noted improvements in cattle performance when fed ractopamine hydrochloride and supranutritional concentrations of Zn.