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

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). Cow...

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Bibliographic Details
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
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.2007-0319