Richard A Zinn

Increasing efficiency in the feeding systems is an important contributing factor to farm profitability. Feed efficiency is a complex function of nutrient intake in relation to growth-performance potential. Because roughly 80% of the total tract digestible organic matter intake is fermented in the rumen, an understanding of the principles of fermentation processes and the limits of the rumen functi ...

INTRODUCTIONSupplementation of feedlot diets with either lasalocid or monensin may improve gain efficiency (Berger et al., 1981; Delfino et al., 1988). This effect has been attributed, in part, to shifts in ruminal fermentation patterns toward reduced methane energy loss (Bergen and Bates, 1984; Russell and Strobel, 1988). Both monensin and lasalocid supplementation may decreases dry matter intake ...