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fda eXPANDS gUIDELINES FOR fEEDING rUMENSIN TO dAIRY cOWS AND rEPLACEMENT hEIFERSGREENFIELD, Ind.: Jan. 4, 2006 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for feeding Rumensin® to dairy cows in component-feeding systems. These systems include supplements that are fed in the parlor, in electronic feeders or as a topdress. The minimum feeding rate for these supplements, which can be fed both to dairy cows on pasture and dairy cows in confinement, is one pound per head per day. The new label for Rumensin has updated mixing and feeding directions for these supplements, which the FDA calls Type C medicated feeds. In addition, the directions now include individual-cow ranges for Rumensin feeding, with levels from 185 mg/hd/day to 660 mg/hd/day approved for lactating cows and from 115 mg/hd/day to 410 mg/hd/day approved for dry cows. “These label changes provide added flexibility and helpful guidelines when feeding Rumensin to increase milk-production efficiency1,” says Howard Green, dairy technical alliance manager, Elanco Animal Health. “As a result, even more dairy producers will be able to help their cows get more energy from every pound of feed they eat. And they’ll see the greatest benefits when feeding Rumensin continuously to both lactating and dry cows, just as indicated on the FDA-approved label.” Nutritionists and producers may continue to feed Rumensin to lactating and dry cows in TMRs at a rate of from 11 g/ton to 22 g/ton on a 100 percent dry matter basis. Rumensin now approved for replacement heifers in drylots The FDA also has expanded the Rumensin label to allow feeding to dairy replacement heifers that are raised in drylots. This means that now even more heifers can benefit from the increased rate of gain, and coccidiosis prevention and control that Rumensin has provided to heifers on pasture for years. The feeding directions for heifers remain the same – from 50 mg/hd/day to 200 mg/hd/day with the Rumensin concentration in Type C medicated feeds ranging from 25 g/ton to 400 g/ton. “With more and more dairy heifers being raised in confinement situations – such as on drylots, this expansion of Rumensin’s label claim creates an important new opportunity,” adds Green. “Now producers can profit from both the increased weight gain and the coccidiosis control that comes from feeding Rumensin to heifers in drylots. And, they can enjoy the convenience of feeding a single ionophore to help meet the energy needs of dairy cows and growing heifers.” Rumensin can be purchased through traditional animal-health and nutrient-supplier companies. Rumensin is the only FDA-approved feed ingredient for lactating and dry cows that increases milk-production efficiency by economically delivering more milk per pound of feed while maintaining the natural wholesomeness of milk. Producers throughout the world also feed Rumensin to dairy heifers to prevent and control coccidiosis, and to increase the rate of weight gain. On average, feeding Rumensin provides a return on investment of 5:1 in dairy cows2 and 7:1 in dairy replacement heifers for just pennies per head per day. Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Company, is based in Greenfield, Ind., U.S.A., and is one of the world's leading animal-health companies. Elanco develops and markets innovative technologies for use in animal production and care, and disease prevention and treatment. Elanco is a global animal-health company with facilities located worldwide to serve the global marketplace. ### 1Production of marketable solids-corrected milk per unit of feed intake The U.S. FDA-approved label reads that in dairy cows Rumensin is indicated “for increased milk production efficiency (production of marketable solids-corrected milk per unit of feed intake),” and that in growing dairy replacement heifers on pasture or in drylots Rumensin is indicated “for increased rate of weight gain, and for the prevention and control of coccidiosis due to Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii.” Directions for use in dairy cows Total Mixed Rations (“complete feed”): Feed continuously to dry and lactating dairy cows a total mixed ration (complete feed) containing 11 to 22 g/ton monensin on a 100% dry matter basis. Component-Feeding Systems: Feed continuously to dry and lactating dairy cows a Type C Medicated feed containing 11 to 400 g/ton monensin. The Type C Medicated feed must be fed in a minimum of 1 pound of feed per cow per day to provide 185 to 660 mg/head/day to lactating cows, or 115 to 410 mg/head/day to dry cows. This ensures that cows are provided a total diet containing 11 to 22 g/ton monensin on a 100% dry matter basis. Directions for use in dairy replacement heifers For increased rate of weight gain. Feeding Directions: Feed at the rate of not less than 50 nor more than 200 mg per head per day in not less than one pound of Type C Medicated Feed; or after the 5th day, feed at the rate of 400 mg per head per day every other day in not less than 2 pounds of Type C Medicated Feed. The monensin concentration in the Type C Medicated Feed must be between 25 and 400 grams per ton. During the first 5 days, cattle should receive no more than 100 mg per day contained in not less than 1 pound of feed. Do not self feed. Directions for use in dairy calves For the prevention and control of coccidiosis due to Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii. Feeding directions: Feed at a rate to provide 0.14 to 0.42 mg per pound body weight per day, depending upon severity of challenge, up to a maximum of 200 mg per head per day. The monensin concentration in Type C Medicated Feed must be between 25 and 400 g/ton. During the first 5 days, cattle should receive no more than 100 mg per day contained in not less than 1 pound of feed. Free-choice (Self-fed) Medicated Feeds Free-choice supplements must be formulated to provide not less than 50 nor more than 200 mg monensin per head per day. Rumensin Premix is 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. Rumensin® is a registered trademark for Elanco's brand of monensin sodium. Rumensin®, the only U.S. FDA-approved feed ingredient to increase milk-production efficiency, now can be fed to dairy cows in both total mixed rations and supplements that are part of component-feeding systems (e.g., fed in the parlor, in electronic feeders or as a topdress). Producers also can feed Rumensin to dairy replacement heifers housed in drylots as well as to those on pasture. The label contains complete use information, including cautions and warnings. Always read, understand and follow the label and use directions. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dennis L. Erpelding |
