Administration of Monensin in Self-Fed (Salt Limiting) Dry Supplements or on an Alternate-Day Feeding Schedule

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Abstract
Two series of trials were conducted to evaluate alternative methods of administering monensin to pasture cattle. In a series of five trials, monensin was incorporated into supplements at 440 mg/kg to provide an average intake of 200 mg·head−1·d−1 for growing cattle on pasture. Comparisons were made between daily and alternate-day feeding of the supplements. A control treatment consisting of unmedicated supplement fed daily also was included. Monensin at 200 mg/d and 400 mg on alternate days increased gain by .077 (P<.01) and .082 (P<.01) kg/d above control-cattle gains (.54 kg daily). Nine pasture trials were conducted to compare the effectiveness of monensin in increasing the daily gain of growing cattle when hand-fed daily in a supplement or self-fed in supplements that contained salt to regulate supplement intake. Desired supplement intakes were approximately .454 kg·head−1·d−1 in six trials, .68 kg/d in one trial and 1.81 kg/d in two trials. Monensin produced gain increases of .09 kg daily (P<.01) with both feeding systems. The daily gains of cattle that were hand-fed and self-fed were equal (P>.10). Self-fed treatments containing monensin required fewer changes in salt level than self-fed treatments not containing monensin, and the salt levels required to limit intake were generally 25 to 50% lower when monensin was in the supplement. Copyright © 1986. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1986 by American Society of Animal Science.

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