Use of Monensin Controlled-Release Capsules to Reduce Methane Emissions and Improve Milk Production of Dairy Cows Offered Pasture Supplemented with Grain

• Published in: Journal of dairy science 2008-03, Vol.91 (3), p.1159-1165
• Main Authors: Grainger, C., Auldist, M.J., Clarke, T., Beauchemin, K.A., McGinn, S.M., Hannah, M.C., Eckard, R.J., Lowe, L.B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal productions; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Cattle - physiology; Cereal and baking product industries; controlled-release monensin capsules; dairy cow; dairy cows; Delayed-Action Preparations; Diet; Edible Grain; feed supplements; Female; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gas emissions; grazing; Intestines - drug effects; Intestines - metabolism; Lactation - drug effects; Lolium; methane; Methane - biosynthesis; milk fat yield; milk protein yield; milk yield; monensin; Monensin - administration & dosage; pasture diet; pastures; ruminant nutrition; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0022-0302; 1525-3198
• DOI: 10.3168/jds.2007-0319

We examined the effects of monensin, provided by controlled-release capsules, on the enteric methane emissions and milk production of dairy cows receiving ryegrass pasture and grain. In a grazing experiment, 60 Holstein-Friesian cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups (control or monensin). Cows in the monensin group received 2 controlled-release capsules, with the second capsule administered 130 d after the first. Milk production was measured for 100 d following insertion of each capsule. The sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique was used to measure enteric methane emissions for 4 d starting on d 25 and 81 after insertion of the first capsule, and on d 83 after insertion of the second capsule. All cows grazed together as a single herd on a predominantly ryegrass sward and received 5kg/d of grain (as-fed basis). In a second experiment, 7 pairs of lactating dairy cows (control and monensin) were used to determine the effects of monensin controlled-release capsules on methane emissions and dry matter intake. Methane emissions were measured on d 75 after capsule insertion by placing cows in respiration chambers for 3 d. Cows received fresh ryegrass pasture harvested daily and 5kg/d of grain. The release rate of monensin from the capsules used in both experiments was 240±0.072mg/d, determined over a 100-d period in ruminally cannulated cows. The monensin dose was calculated to be 12 to 14.5mg/kg of dry matter intake. There was no effect of monensin on methane production in either the grazing experiment (g/d, g/kg of milk solids) or the chamber experiment (g/d, g/kg of dry matter intake). In the grazing study, there was no effect of monensin on milk yield, but monensin increased milk fat yield by 51.5g/d and tended to increase milk protein yield by 18.5g/d. Monensin controlled-release capsules improved the efficiency of milk production of grazing dairy cows by increasing the yield of milk solids. However, a higher dose rate of monensin may be needed to reduce methane emissions from cows grazing pasture.