The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 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.
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% 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. 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.
To read the label in its entirety, visit www.rumensindairy.com. 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 cows and 7:1 in dairy replacement heifers for just pennies per head per day.