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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303516
Title: Ionophores: A tool for improving ruminant production and reducing environmental impact

Author
item BELL, N - Texas A&M University
item WICKERSHAM, TRYON - Texas A&M University
item Sharma, Vijay
item Callaway, Todd

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/2014
Publication Date: 4/1/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/61613
Citation: Bell, N., Wickersham, T.A., Sharma, V.K., Callaway, T.R. 2015. Ionophores: A tool for improving ruminant production and reducing environmental impact. In: Malike, P.K., Bhatta, R., Takahashi, J., Kohn, R.A., Prasad, C.S., editors. Livestock Production and Climate Change. Bangalore, India: Cabi International. p. 263-272.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Agriculture has come under intense scrutiny in recent years due to increased concern over greenhouse gas emissions. 70 percent of total methane production comes from anthropogenic sources, of which two-thirds are related to agriculture. Because ruminant livestock produce methane via gastrointestinal fermentation, they have been targeted for reducing methane production and alleviating greenhouse effects. Methane emissions from ruminant animals represent not only a significant contribution to atmospheric concentrations, but also a significant loss of energy to the animal and expense to the producer. For these reasons, a number of strategies are being utilized in an effort to reduce methane emissions in cattle. Ionophore used in ruminant diets generally reduce methane production significantly, thereby reducing the contribution of ruminants to global methane emissions. Methane mitigation improves feed efficiency without changing the amount of meat or milk produced. Some have suggested that because of their potential to improve feed conversion and methane production per kg of meat or milk, ionophores are effective, even in the case of acquired resistance. Use of ionophores may therefore be associated with a more environmentally-friendly cattle production system.