The potential of a buffer (calcified marine algae) or plant extract (Capsicum) in combination with or to replace an ionophore (monensin) in lamb feedlot diets

Ionophore antibiotic supplementation is standard practice in almost all feedlots in South Africa and many other countries due to its positive effects on feed efficiency and feed intake. Public concern over the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the consumers' demand for safe, high q...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of animal science 2016-10, Vol.94, p.659-660
Main Authors: Gouws, R F, Hagg, F M, Erasmus, L J, van der Veen, R H, Holm, D E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alfalfa
Algae
Animal sciences
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotics
Bacteria
Buffers
Capsicum
Conversion
Conversion ratio
Corn
Diet
Dietary supplements
Dry matter
Feed conversion
Feed efficiency
Feedlots
Food quality
Intensive farming
Ionophores
Lamb
Marine plants
Microorganisms
Monensin
Parameters
pH effects
Plant extracts
Public concern
Rumen
Sheep
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Summary:Ionophore antibiotic supplementation is standard practice in almost all feedlots in South Africa and many other countries due to its positive effects on feed efficiency and feed intake. Public concern over the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the consumers' demand for safe, high quality nutritious food has stimulated the search for natural alternatives to ionophores in ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a buffer (calcified marine algae [AB]) and/or plant extract (Capsicum [Caps]) in combination with or replacing an ionophore (monensin [Mon]) on the performance of lambs in a commercial feedlot. Two thousand three hundred and twenty-seven lambs were randomly allocated to 6 different treatments with 6 pens per treatment with pen being the experimental unit. Treatments were: 1) Mon; 2) AB; 3) Caps; 4) AB + Mon; 5) Caps + Mon and 6) AB + Caps. Mean starting live weight of lambs was 30.9 kg. The lambs were individually weighed on Day 0, 10, 21, 35, 50 and at slaughter. All lambs were slaughtered at a pre-determined end live weight of ± 48 kg. Average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion ratio, cold carcass mass, rumen fluid pH and rumen score were among the parameters determined. The corn (23% to 37%), alfalfa hay (20% to 10%) based diets (starter, grower and finisher) were the same for all treatments with adjustments to the specific treatments. Days on feed were different between some treatments (P < 0.05). Difference in rumen pH (Day 30 minus Day 13) as well as rumen pH on day 1 and 3 were different between some treatments (P < 0.05). Other performance parameters such as average daily gain and feed conversion ratio did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Results suggest that monensin can be successfully replaced in lamb feedlot rations with natural alternatives (AB and/or Caps) with little impact on production performance. Further research, however, is needed on determining the dietary dependant responses and adaptation of rumen microbial populations. Furthermore, the cost: benefit ratio should be determined under the prevailing conditions in different countries.
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163