Monensin and Extruded Urea-Grain for Range Beef Cows

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The supplemental value of monensin with extruded urea-grain and soybean meal supplements for cows grazing low quality dry winter range grass was evaluated in two trials. Cows wintered on 30% soybean meal-based supplements lost less weight (P<.05) than cows receiving either extruded urea-grain or 15% soybean meal-based supplements. Cow weight change was not significantly affected by the addition of monensin. Cattle losing the most weight also lost the most condition as appraised visually. Monensin feeding did not statistically alter total ruminal nitrogen, ammonia, non-ammonia nitrogen, sodium or total ruminal VFA concentrations. However, molar proportion of acetate and butyrate were decreased (P<.05), and propionate was increased (P<.05) in both trials when monensin was fed. Ruminal potassium concentration also was increased (P<.05) in trial 1 when monensin was fed. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.