ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
DAIRY NEWSLETTER
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
The University of Arizona
New Mexico State University
June 2009
THIS MONTH’S ARTICLE:
Use of Rumensin® in Lactating Dairy Cattle –
Results of a Recent Meta-Analysis
T.F. Duffield1, A. Rabiee2, I Lean2
Department of Population Medicine,
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1
2.
Strategic Bovine Services, P.O. Box 660, Camden, NSW, Australia
Corresponding author: tduffiel@uoguelph.ca
1.
SAVE THE DATE
REVISED DATE
Arizona Dairy Production Conference
Hilton Garden Inn
Phoenix, AZ
October 15, 2009
The 8th Annual Arizona Dairy Production Conference
October 15, 2009
Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport
This is a one day conference that provides technical information to dairy producers and
allied industry in Arizona. With 139 licensed dairies and 1331 cows per dairy (or
173,000 total head) the State of Arizona ranks 2nd in the nation for herd size and 3rd in
the nation for pounds of milk produced per cow with 22,855 milk pounds per cow. The
networking opportunities are great as many of the Dairy Producers attend this event.
All sponsors will be recognized at the registration table and inside the conference room.
Other options for each level are detailed on the enclosed sponsor form.
If you wish to be a sponsor please complete the form and send it along with your
payment. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Julie at
520-626-1754 or Stefanic@ag.arizona.edu.
8th Annual Dairy Production Conference
Thursday, October 15, 2009
(Note: Change of Date)
Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport
3422 E Elwood
Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsorship Options
Platinum Sponsorship Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,000

Display table outside of seminar room

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
Two complimentary conference registrations
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Signage at conference listing your sponsorship
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Sponsor in official conference program
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One complimentary conference registration

Signage at conference listing your sponsorship
Silver Sponsorship Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500
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Make check payable to: University of Arizona Foundation
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Campus Agricultural Center
Department of Animal Sciences
4101 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85719
Attention: Julie Stefanic
520-626-1754
stefanic@ag.arizona.edu
8th Annual
Arizona Dairy Production Conference
October 15, 2009
Registration Form
REGISTRATION FEE DOES NOT APPLY TO PRODUCERS
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# people
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Tucson, AZ 85721
For addidtional information call 520-626-1754 or email stefanic@ag.arizona.edu
Use of Rumensin® in Lactating Dairy Cattle – Results of
a Recent Meta-Analysis
T.F. Duffield1, A. Rabiee2, I Lean2
1.Department of Population Medicine,
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1
2.Strategic Bovine Services, P.O. Box 660, Camden, NSW, Australia
Corresponding author: tduffiel@uoguelph.ca
SUMMARY
•
•
•
•
Monensin has profound impacts on energy metabolism in transition cows which is
marked by decreases in non esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate
(BHBA) and acetoacetate, and increases in glucose and cholesterol.
Monensin increases milk production and decreases dry matter intake, resulting in an
improvement in milk production efficiency.
The effect of monensin on milk fat percent and yield is highly variable and is
dependent on dietary factors including concentrations of unsaturated fat in the diet.
Cow health is improved with monensin.
INTRODUCTION
Monensin shifts the rumen microbial population in the rumen toward more gram negative
bacteria, consequently changing rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations toward propionate and
away from acetate and butyrate. Since the late 80’s there have been many papers published on
the effects of monensin in lactating dairy cattle. Recently, approvals for use on monensin have
been obtained in Canada and the United States, while the product has been available for dairy
cattle in countries such as Mexico, Australia and New Zealand for many years. The impacts of
monensin on energy metabolism, including effects on serum ketones, NEFA, glucose, and urea
have not always been consistent. The effect of monensin on production, especially on milk fat
content have been inconsistent. Meta-analysis is a useful tool that can be employed to both
summarize effects across studies and to investigate factors explaining potential heterogeneity of
response. Over the past 20 years a large amount of research on monensin in lactating dairy cows
has been conducted throughout the world. Recently, a quantitative summary of these research
results (meta-analysis) has been conducted. The results from this meta-analysis support
previous findings and provide some new insight into its effects. Full details of these analyses
have been reported elsewhere (Duffield et al, 2008a,b,c).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An intensive literature search and screening process yielded a total of 59 papers, abstracts, and
trial reports containing useable data on monensin in dairy cows. Of these, 30 papers contained
metabolic data. All trials included were randomized designs but were not necessarily blinded.
Data from each trial contained in the papers was extracted to a database including the number of
animals, mean, and standard error for each of the monensin and control groups. Other relevant
data that were common to most studies such as dose, stage of lactation, dose delivery method,
and diet type (pasture, forage, component-fed) were also extracted. Meta-analysis was
64
conducted in STATA for monensin effects on blood/serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA),
acetoacetate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, urea, cholesterol, insulin, and calcium.
There were 37 papers that contained production data. The data extraction process was similar as
that described for the metabolic outcomes. Meta-analysis was conducted in STATA for
monensin effects on milk yield, dry matter intake, milk production efficiency, milk components
(percent and yield), body condition score, and body weight change. A subset of trials contained
dietary information. This information was used to estimate ration parameters in the CornellPenn-Miner nutritional program (CPM) and then these parameters were screened in metaregression to evaluate the impact on monensin treatment on milk components.
A total of 16 papers were identified with sufficient data and quality to evaluate health and
reproductive outcomes for monensin. The available trials provided approximately 9500 cows
with sufficient data for analysis. This provided good statistical power to examine the effects of
monensin on health and reproduction.
RESULTS
Metabolism
There was a total of 30 papers containing 45 trials with monensin and metabolic outcomes.
Some studies contained a summary of one trial conducted on multiple trial sites whereas other
studies reported multiple trials conducted at a single trial site. Over all the trials analyzed,
monensin decreased serum or blood BHBA (P=0.001), NEFA (P=0.006), and acetoacetate
(P=0.003). In addition monensin increased blood glucose (P=0.0001), urea (P=0.0001), and
cholesterol (P=0.08). Monensin had no effect on serum calcium or insulin. A summary of the
findings are presented in Table1. The effect size estimates for monensin on BHBA,
acetoacetate, and cholesterol were heterogenous and thus random effects models were utilized
for these analytes. Effect size estimates of monensin for BHBA and NEFA were positively
correlated, but were negatively correlated to glucose. A consistent delivery of monensin via
topdress or in a controlled release capsule gave a slightly smaller but more consistent reduction
in BHBA. Topdress delivery and increasing dose increased glucose response. NEFA, BHBA
and glucose effects were modified by stage of lactation. Larger effects for BHBA and NEFA
were observed in the transition period than later in lactation. Glucose response was greater in
cows after calving than before calving.
Production
There was a total of 37 papers containing 70 trials with monensin and production outcomes.
Some studies contained a summary of one trial conducted on multiple trial sites whereas other
studies reported multiple trials conducted at a single trial site. Over all the trials analyzed,
monensin increased milk production (P=0.0001), milk protein yield (P=0.002), milk production
efficiency (P=0.01) and body condition score (P=0.002). A summary of findings is presented in
Table 2. Monensin also decreased dry matter intake (P=0.001) milk fat percent (P=0.0001),
milk fat yield (P=0.06), milk protein percent (P=0.0001), and body weight loss (P=0.0001). The
effect size estimates for monensin on milk fat percent, milk fat yield, milk protein percent and
milk protein yield were heterogenous and random effects models were utilized for these
65
variables. Weighted means of the difference for milk production and dry matter intake
suggested a 0.7 kg/day increase and a 0.3 kg/day decrease respectively.
Meta-regression indicated that stage of lactation and topdress delivery of monensin influenced
response. However, dietary factors were likely the primary explanation for heterogeneity in
milk component responses since both pasture-based studies and studies with only one trial site
(versus multiple sites) were significant in most models. More heterogeneity existed in singlebased versus multi-based studies. Analysis of the subset ration data indicated that increasing
days in milk at start of treatment, and increasing concentration of unsaturated fatty acids were
associated with a greater effect of monensin on decreasing milk fat yield. The effect of
monensin on milk protein yield was improved with increasing peptide balance.
Cow Health and Reproduction
Monensin decreased the risk of displaced abomasum (DA), clinical ketosis (CK), and clinical
mastitis (Table 3). The effect on DA and CK have previously been reported from Canadian
studies, but this analysis included 13 other trials from Canada, United States and Mexico. This
benefit is most likely a function of the improved energy metabolism with monensin in early
lactation. The effect on mastitis has not previously been reported. It is a small but significant
effect on reducing mastitis risk. Most likely this reflects an indirect benefit improved immune
function through improved energy status. No effect of monensin on reproductive performance
(measured through impact on first service conception risk or pooled analysis from six studies
evaluating impact on time to pregnancy) was identified.
66
Table 1. Summary table of effect size estimates of monensin on plasma/serum/blood parameters in lactating dairy cows derived from
meta-analysis
Outcome
Weighted
%
N
N
Number of Number of Effect Size P-value
Change
Control
Treatment
Measure
Mean
Trials
Trial Sites
Point
Difference
Estimate
(MonensinControl)
-13.4%
2071
2171
33
115
-0.334
0.0001
BHBA (μmol/L) -113.9
-36.6
NEFA (μEq/L)
Glucose
+0.10
(mmol/L)
Urea
+0.28
(mmol/L)
Acetoacetate
-9.09
(mmol/L)
Cholesterol
+0.07
(mmol/L)
Calcium
NS
(mmol/L)
Insulin
NS
(ng/L)
NS=Not significant.
-7.1%
+3.2%
750
1731
746
1715
24
34
35
106
-0.143
+0.154
0.006
0.0001
+6.2%
1565
1546
23
95
+0.154
0.0001
-14.4%
483
601
9
19
-0.312
0.003
+2.6%
732
720
6
51
+0.165
0.076
NS
1125
1115
7
77
+0.052
0.221
NS
256
254
11
11
+0.100
0.260
67
Table 2. Summary of effect size estimates of monensin on production in lactating dairy cows derived from meta-analysis
Outcomes Measured
Raw weighted mean
Number of cows
Number Number
Heterogeneity
Effect Size
P-value
difference:
of trials
of trial
(Low, Medium,
monensin-control
sites
High)
Control
Treatment
DMI (kg/d)
-0.3
2,243
2,202
53
152
Low
0.001
Milk yield (kg/d)
0.7
4,889
4,788
71
255
Low
<0.001
Fat (%)
-0.12
3,460
3,406
62
193
High
<0.001
Fat yield (kg/d)
-0.002
2,724
2,751
47
168
High
0.161
Protein (%)
-0.03
3,460
3,406
62
193
Moderate
<0.001
Protein yield (kg/d)
0.016
2,700
2,727
45
166
Moderate
0.001
Lactose (%)
-0.012
1,102
1,110
27
75
Moderate
0.540
Production efficiency
(% energy yield/energy
intake)
BCS (1-5)
2.04
881
875
14
65
Low
0.066
0.03
1,392
1,385
18
90
Moderate
0.006
BW change (kg/d)
0.06
1,240
1,231
33
84
High
<0.001
68
Treatment
Relative Risk
Table 3. Effect of Monensin on disease incidence and first service conception risk.
Number of cows
Measured
Number of
outcomes
trials
Control
Relative Risk
95% Confidence
Interval
P-value
Dystocia
Retained placenta
11
19
Unaffected
2908
3682
Affected
230
478
Unaffected
2979
3725
Affected
153
474
1.39
1.01
(0.92 – 2.11)
(0.90 – 1.13)
0.118
0.890
Milk fever
Metritis
Displaced
abomasum
Ketosis
Mastitis
Endometritis
Lameness
Culling
First service
conception risk
17
12
15
3224
2703
2707
196
374
139
3244
2741
2679
178
340
186
1.11
1.14
0.75
(0.91 – 1.34)
(0.91 – 1.42)
(0.61 – 0.93)
0.309
0.243
0.008
17
18
11
10
8
20
2799
2379
1920
2319
2243
2392
189
665
68
493
432
1630
2736
2203
1888
2232
2140
2304
253
733
84
458
444
1669
0.75
0.91
0.80
1.00
0.96
0.97
(0.63 – 0.90)
(0.83 – 0.98)
(0.59 – 1.08)
(0.90 – 1.11)
(0.85 – 1.08)
(0.92 – 1.02)
0.001
0.016
0.140
0.978
0.412
0.283
69
REFERENCES
Duffield, T.F., Rabiee, A.R., Lean, I.R. A meta-analysis of the impact of monensin in lactating
dairy cattle. Part 1. Metabolic effects. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 1334-1336, 2008a.
Duffield, T.F., Rabiee, A.R., Lean, I.R. A meta-analysis of the impact of monensin in lactating
dairy cattle. Part 2. Production effects. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 1347-1360, 2008b.
Duffield, T.F., Rabiee, A.R., Lean, I.R. A meta-analysis of the impact of monensin in lactating
dairy cattle. Part 3. Health and reproduction. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 2328-2341, 2008c.
70
HIGH COW REPORT
May 2009
MILK
Arizona Owner
*Goldman Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Shamrock Farms
*Goldman Dairy
*Shamrock Farms
*Stotz Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Stotz Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
Barn#
8378
1135
11791
4213
12685
21768
5247
23578
5337
11147
Age
07-01
04-00
06-01
05-00
05-10
05-02
*Stotz Dairy
*Stotz Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Paloma Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Dutch View Dairy
*Parker Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Shamrock Farms
*Shamrock Farms
21768
23578
4213
4719
4581
501
5882
7538
31038
18498
05-02
03-06
05-00
*Stotz Dairy
*Stotz Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
*Shamrock Farms
*Shamrock Farms
*Goldman Dairy
Paul Rovey Dairy
*Stotz Dairy
*Goldman Dairy
23578
21768
4581
1135
12685
11791
4213
7694
20808
4920
03-06
05-02
05-04
04-00
05-10
06-01
05-00
03-07
05-10
03-06
03-04
01-11
Milk
37,640
36,250
34,930
34,830
34,680
34,380
33,740
33,490
33,330
33,130
New Mexico Owner
Arrowhead Dairy
*Vaz Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
Arrowhead Dairy
Pareo Dairy
*Opportunity Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
*Cross Country Dairy
Tres Hermanos Dairy Llc
Arrowhead Dairy
Barn #
2690
4260
56447
1743
3319
2477
30444
5934
1008
3547
Age
4-11
5-01
3-01
5-10
6-11
4-05
4-08
7-06
4-06
4-05
Milk
36,151
35,590
35,200
34,879
34,771
34,590
34,510
34,100
34,047
34,037
Arrowhead Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
Arrowhead Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
*Cross Country Dairy
Arrowhead Dairy
Providence Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
2690
42792
1743
30444
41978
41569
1329
4850
5901
30039
4-11
3-11
5-10
4-08
3-08
3-11
5-06
3-00
6-07
4-11
1,426
1,403
1,336
1,317
1,292
1,286
1,250
1,246
1,243
1,241
2690
41569
1743
2277
1303
30444
42792
4260
41978
962
4-11
3-11
5-10
5-10
5-11
4-08
3-11
5-01
3-08
5-01
1,115
1,114
1,094
1,043
1,026
1,024
1,014
1,014
1,011
1,009
FAT
05-04
04-09
05-00
07-08
06-07
04-05
1,652
1,535
1,338
1,298
1,247
1,221
1,201
1,201
1,190
1,189
PROTEIN
*all or part of lactation is 3X or 4X milking
1,044
1,021
985
982
981
979
972
967
958
955
Arrowhead Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
Arrowhead Dairy
Arrowhead Dairy
Mccatharn Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
*Vaz Dairy
*Wayne Palla Dairy
Caballo Dairy
ARIZONA - TOP 50% FOR F.C.M.b
May 2009
OWNERS NAME
Stotz Dairy West
Goldman Dairy
Riggin Ranch
Shamrock Farms
Danzeisen Dairy, Inc.
Stotz Dairy East
Lunts Dairy
Withrow Dairy
Parker Dairy
Rio Blanco Dairy
Paul Rovey Dairy
Zimmerman Dairy
Saddle Mountain
DC Dairy, LLC
Yettem
Mike Pylman
Cliffs Dairy
Number of Cows
MILK
FAT
3.5 FCM
CI
2,050
2,324
1,219
8,372
1,830
1,128
680
5,209
4,344
2,061
74
1,193
2,812
1,128
3,686
6,101
367
25,466
24,879
24,121
24,673
23,801
22,789
22,405
23,066
21,955
20,048
21,583
21,977
20,965
21,396
17,985
21,616
20,716
942
854
827
810
828
822
828
810
770
817
773
761
766
754
838
728
749
26,288
24,606
23,841
23,803
23,719
23,184
23,116
23,109
21,980
21,920
21,868
21,844
21,488
21,474
21,361
21,152
21,104
15
14
14
14
15
13
13
15
14
14
14
14
16
14
NEW MEXICO - TOP 50% FOR F.C.M.b
May 2009
OWNERS NAME
Number of Cows
MILK
FAT
3.5 FCM
CI
McCatharn
*SAS
*Butterfield
*Pareo 2
*Clover Knolls
*Do-Rene
*Tee Vee
*Milagro
*Vaz
Vaz 2
*Providence
Ridgecrest
*Goff
Cross Country
*Tallmon
*Pareo
1,119
1,978
2,266
1,425
3,575
2,396
1,129
3,481
2,130
1,969
3,313
3,955
6,033
3,856
539
3,294
25,520
24,288
27,775
24,368
25,369
25,393
23,978
23,801
23,164
22,942
23,348
23,293
24,421
22,336
21,911
22,205
912
915
821
900
852
848
879
874
859
857
824
821
785
819
830
821
25,824
25,340
25,323
25,131
24,786
24,731
24,622
24,464
23,946
23,817
23,458
23,385
23,289
22,939
22,934
22,915
13.20
13.10
13.10
13.40
13.40
12.70
13.40
13.82
14.70
14.00
13.30
12.10
13.30
13.00
13.70
13.50
* all or part of lactation is 3X or 4X milking
average milk and fat figure may be different from monthly herd summary; figures used are last day/month
b
ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO HERD IMPROVEMENT SUMMARY
FOR OFFICIAL HERDS TESTED May 2009
ARIZONA
1. Number of Herds
NEW MEXICO
31
24
2. Total Cows in Herd
61,969
59,297
3. Average Herd Size
1,999
2,471
90
87
5. Average Days in Milk
205
203
6. Average Milk – All Cows Per Day
61.4
65.1
3.5
3.5
56,638
51,588
67.1
70.7
87
76
11. Average Days Open
151
148
12. Average Calving Interval
14.2
14.0
13. Percent Somatic Cell – Low
85
83
14. Percent Somatic Cell – Medium
11
13
15. Percent Somatic Cell – High
5
4
16. Average Previous Days Dry
63
62
17. Percent Cows Leaving Herd
34
34
21,417
19,971
Percent butterfat
3.56
3.60
Percent protein
3.02
3.13
Pounds butterfat
764
845
Pounds protein
644
706
4. Percent in Milk
7. Average Percent Fat – All Cows
8. Total Cows in Milk
9. Average Daily Milk for Milking Cows
10. Average Days in Milk 1st Breeding
Milk
Department of Animal Sciences
1650 E. Limberlost Drive
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-626-1754
Fax: 520-626-1283
Email: stefanic@ag.arizona.edu
SAVE THE DATE
Arizona Dairy Production Conference
Hilton Garden Inn
Phoenix, AZ
October 15, 2009