USA - FDA Approves Rumensin, WI Dairy Producers Stand to Benefit

A new dairy cattle feed additive which increases milk production efficiency has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week. According to the agency, Rumensin (monensin sodium), produced by Elanco Animal Health, is designed to increase milk production efficiency in lactating cows by delivering more milk per pound of feed. The FDA says Rumensin is the first approved feed ingredient that increases milk-production efficiency. Unlike rBST, which is a hormone injected into the cow's bloodstream, Rumensin helps turn carbohydrates from feed into volatile fatty acids during the fermentation process in the animal's rumen. Matt Jorgensen, Clark County UW-Extension dairy and livestock agent, told Wisconsin Ag Connection that the announcement is big news for Wisconsin dairy producers. "This is another tool in the tool box," Jorgensen said. "The data we have shows that this will help production per cow. It is very cost effective and should provide a good economic return for producers who choose to use it." The FDA has concluded that the meat and milk derived from dairy animals fed monensin sodium are safe when the animals are fed according to the approved labeling. According to information from Elanco, trial results showed cows fed Rumensin were 2 percent to 4 percent more efficient. Adding Rumensin to the diet during transition and early lactation helped cows produce more milk per pounds of feed and dry matter intake did not change while cows are in negative energy balance. The trials also showed later in lactation, cows maintained production with less feed once energy balance had been achieved.