Rumensin OK’d for use in dairy cows

GREENFIELD, Ind. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Rumensin (monensin sodium) for use in dairy cows late last month.
Rumensin is the only FDA-approved feed ingredient for lactating and dry cows and is the first product to earn FDA approval based on a claim of increasing milk-production efficiency.
The decision came Oct. 28..
Rumensin helps cows produce more milk per pound of feed, said Patrick James, president of Elanco Animal Health. James cited trial results showed that cows fed Rumensin were 2 percent to 4 percent more efficient.
Adding Rumensin to the diet provides increased milk-production efficiency at all stages of the lactation cycle, james said.
Feeding rate. The FDA approved Rumensin to be fed to dairy cows at an inclusion rate that ranges from 11 grams per ton to 22 grams per ton of a complete feed on a 100 percent dry matter basis.
Elanco recommends that producers start feeding Rumensin to lactating and dry cows at the 11 grams per ton rate, and then work with their nutritional advisers to determine the feeding level that’s right for their herds.
Around since 1975. U.S. dairy producers have fed Rumensin to dairy heifers to control coccidiosis and improve weight gain for years.
It was first approved for use in lactating dairy cattle in 1978 in New Zealand and Rumensin is fed to dairy cattle in more than 20 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and South Africa.
The first application of Rumensin – to increase the feed efficiency of feedlot cattle – was approved in the United States in 1975.
Since then, additional claims for the prevention and control of coccidiosis have been added for use in dairy heifers, beef heifers, stocker cattle and beef cows in the United States.
Rumensin can be purchased through traditional animal health and nutrient supplier companies.
Rumensin Premix will be available in 50-pound bags containing 80 grams of monensin sodium per pound. The product must be thoroughly mixed into feed before use.
There is no withdrawal period.