Many non-nutrient feed additives are marketed and approved for use in dairy cattle (see the table Commercial Additives Available for Dairy Cattle).
Commercial Additives Available for Dairy Cattle
Additive | Effect | Feeding Rate |
|---|---|---|
Direct-fed microbials | Live bacteria fed to alter intestinal microbiome | Varies with product |
Enzymes | Active microbial enzymes to facilitate dietary fiber digestion | Varies with product |
Methane inhibitors | Compounds provided in the diet that interfere with microbial production of methane in the rumen | Varies with product |
High Probability of Positive Economic Return in General Feeding Situations | ||
Monensin sodium | Increased feed efficiency, improved energy metabolism | 11–22 mg/ton complete feed 185–660 mg/d (lactating cows) 115–410 mg/d (dry cows) |
Sodium bicarbonate and other buffers | Improved feed consumption, stabilization of rumen pH, increased butterfat production | 0.75% of dry matter |
Yeast culture | Improved feed consumption, improved fiber digestion | Variable; consult manufacturer directions |
High Probability of Positive Economic Return in Specific Problem Situations | ||
Strong anion additives for prepartum diets | Improved calcium homeostasis, milk fever prevention, control of subclinical hypocalcemia | Variable; calculate DCAD; monitor urine pH and dry-matter intake, late gestation only; do not use in springing heifers |
Rumen protected choline | Improved lipid metabolism, fatty liver and ketosis prevention, improved metabolic status | 60 g/d (> 12.9 g choline ion) in late gestation and early lactation |
Propylene glycol | Improved energy metabolism, ketosis prevention | 300–500 mL/d, late gestation and early lactation only; more nutritionally effective when drenched rather than fed |
Niacin | Improved lipid metabolism, improved rumen fermentation, increased feed efficiency and milk component concentrations | 6–12 g/d; include protected and unprotected sources |
Biotin | Improved hoof health, keratin structure, decreased hoof disorders | 20 mg/d throughout lactation; 10–20 mg/d gestation; 10–20 mg/d for heifers > 15 mo |
Abbreviations: DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference), defined as (Na + K) – (Cl + S) in mEq/kg units. | ||
Key Points
Many commercial feed additives are available for incorporation into dairy cattle diets, but many lack documentation of positive effects.
Monensin sodium is an ionophore agent approved for the feeding of dairy cattle in all life stages; it alters rumen microbial populations, has anti-coccidial properties, and improves energy balance.
Anionic products are used to manipulate dietary cation-anion balance to prevent parturient hypocalcemia; the resulting metabolic acidosis facilitates calcium homeostasis around the time of calving.
For More Information
Hutjens MF. Feed additives. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 1991;7(2):525-540.
Duffield TF, Rabiee AR, Lean IJ. A meta-analysis of the impact of monensin in lactating dairy cattle. Part 2. Production effects. J Dairy Sci. 2008;91(4):1347-1360.
McAllister TA, Beauchemin KA, Alazzeh AY, Baah J, Teather RM, Stanford K. The use of direct fed microbials to mitigate pathogens and enhance production in cattle. Can J Animal Sci. 2011;91(2):193-211.
