Effect of monensin and protein supplementation on in situ degradability of low-quality forage fed to cattle

An abstract of a study by Solis et al evaluating the effects of monensin and protein supplementation on in situ disappearance kinetics of low-quality forage (LQF; 4.1% CP) is presented. Results show no interaction (P ≥ 0.16) between protein and monensin for any DM disappearance parameters measured. Protein had a tendency (P = 0.07) to reduce potentially degradable DM (from 58.60 to 50.42%) likely due to the increased (P ≤ 0.01) rate of DM degradation (from 1.87 to 4.76%/h) that it caused. Monensin had no effect (P = 0.12) on potentially degradable DM but increased (P = 0.03) rate of degradation from 3.06 to 3.57%/h. Protein or monensin supplementation had no effect on lag time or residue (P ≥ 0.11). It is likely that the increased rate of degradation caused by protein and monensin will allow increased intake of LQF, thus improving its use in production operations.