Title
Effects of Molybdenum Supplementation on Performance of Forage‐fed SteersReceiving High‐sulfur Water
Document Type
Report
Report Number
2010-6
Publication Date
2010
Summary
There has been on‐going research in the area of the consumption of high‐sulfur (S) water by steers grazing rangeland as well as forage‐fed steers in a feedlot setting. During the summer of 2009, a trial was conducted on the effects of high‐S water in finishing steers supplemented with molybdenum (Mo). The main purpose of the research was to gather data that may aid in the formulation of a supplement to counteract the negative effects of high‐S water consumed by ruminant livestock species in areas where sulfur concentration in water sources is a risk to animal health and performance. The specific focus of this trial was to determine whether the feeding of supplemental Mo would improve animal health and performance by decreasing the formation of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) in the rumen. Yearling steers (n=96) were used for a 56‐d trial. The trial consisted of 3 treatment groups; a low‐S water group and two high‐S water groups. One high‐S water treatment group received the same pellet that the low‐S group was given and the other high‐S water treatment group received a pellet with supplemental Mo included. Rumen gas cap H2S was collected on d ‐1, 29 and 57. Weights were recorded on d ‐2, ‐1, 29, 56 and 57. There were no differences between treatments in water intake (P= 0.719), but feed intake was reduced in the steers receiving the supplemental Mo (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in ruminal H2S due to treatment (P= 0.014), with higher ruminal H2S in the steers receiving the supplemental Mo. Steers receiving the Mo supplement had lower ADG than steers in the other treatments (P= 0.009). Throughout the duration of the trial, two steers were removed from the trial due to advanced symptoms of sulfur‐induced PEM (sPEM) from the high‐S treatment with no supplemental Mo
Number of Pages
4
Format
application/pdf
Language
en
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © 2010 South Dakota State University.
Recommended Citation
Kessler, K.L.; Olson, K.C.; Wright, C.L.; Austin, K.J.; Johnson, P.S.; and Cammack, K.M., "Effects of Molybdenum Supplementation on Performance of Forage‐fed SteersReceiving High‐sulfur Water" (2010). South Dakota Beef Report, 2010. 7.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/sd_beefreport_2010/7