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Monensin Supplementation and in vivo Methane Production by Steers¹

Oklahoma Agriculture Experiment Station, Stillwater 74078

Abstract

The effect of monensin on methanogenesis was examined. Growing steers were fed 4.1 kg daily of a low roughage diet (12.6% crude protein, 12% acid detergent fiber) or 5.4 kg daily of either a medium roughage (12.3% crude protein, 27% acid detergent fiber) or a high roughage diet (14.4% crude protein, 40% acid detergent fiber) with or without 200 mg of supplemental monensin. At the low and high roughage levels, monensin increased (P<.05) the molar proportion of ruminal propionate and decreased acetate. Methane production and inhibition by monensin declined with time postprandially. Monensin decreased methane production by 16% (P<.05) at the two lower roughage levels and 24% (P<.01) at the high roughage level. Total heat production and respiratory quotient remained unaltered by monensin. Averaged across roughage levels, metabolizable energy was increased (P<.01) 5.2% by monensin. Although dry matter digestibility and N retention were not statistically altered, both tended to increase with monensin. Reduced ruminal methane production with monensin feeding can explain a portion of the increased feed efficiency.

¹ Journal Article 3 588 of the Agr. Exp. Sta., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater 74078.

² Current address: Masters II Feedlot, Garden City, KS 67846.