
%0 Journal Article
%A O'Kelly, JC 
%A Spiers, WG 
%T Effect of monensin on methane and heat productions of steers fed lucerne hay either <I>ad libitum</I> or at the rate of 250 g/hour
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1992/11/01
%V 43
%N 8
%P 1789-1793
%K monensin methane;heat production;feeding frequency
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9921789
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AR9921789 
%X The effect of monensin supplement (33 mg/kg feed) on methane and heat productions was studied in Brahman steers offered lucerne hay in two feeding regimes: ad libitum (AL) or at the rate of 250 g/h (GPH). The monensin treated animals consumed 65 kg less feed than untreated animals in achieving a mean liveweight gain of.56 kg over 54 days of feeding AL. The 10.5% reduction in daily feed intake due to monensin was associated with a 25.6% reduction in methane production. At equalized feed intakes (adjustments made by covariance) approximately 55% of the reduction in methane caused by monensin was explained by its anorectic effect and 45% by its specific effect on rumen fermentation. In contrast, monensin slightly increased (P = 0.07) liveweight gain, but did not affect methane production in steers fed GPH. Heat production was not significantly altered by the use of monensin in either feeding regime. 
