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A note on the effect of monensin and amicloral in steer diets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

G. M. J. Horton
Affiliation:
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Abstract

The effects of feeding monensin and amicloral at 33 and 1500 mg/kg of diet, respectively, were investigated in two experiments using 330-kg steers. Monensin and amicloral, either alone or in combination, increased the digestibility of organic matter and crude fibre compared with a control diet (P < 0·001). Crude protein digestibility was increased by monensin (P < 0·001). Use of monensin and amicloral, alone or in combination, increased molar proportions of propionic acid by 22% on average (P > 0·05), and monensin decreased butyric acid by 37% (P < 0·05).

Ruminal ammonia concentrations were lower in steers fed monensin (P < 0·05). Steers fed monensin consumed 6 % less feed, gained 9 % more weight (P < 0·05) and utilized feed 14% more efficiently (P < 0·05) than control animals. Amicloral, either alone or with monensin, lowered feed intake by 11 % (P < 0·05), had no effect on average daily gain and improved feed efficiency by about 12% (P < 0·05). There were no treatment effects on any of the carcass parameters.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1980

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References

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