A Review of the Role of Cattle in the Carbon Cycle and Monensin: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Ruminal fermentative processes allow cattle to consume a variety of feeds that are converted into human edible product, resulting in methane (CH4) as a byproduct. Feed additives, like monensin, can be added to cattle rations to alter ruminal fermentation and reduce CH4 emissions. The purpose of this thesis is to illustrate the role of cattle in cycling carbon between the atmosphere, plants, cattle products and emitted CH4, and to conduct meta-analyses that provide robust summary statistics of effects of monensin on CH4 emissions. Data used to conduct the meta-analyses were collected from published literature and analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v.3 (Biostat Inc., Englewood, NJ). Monensin reduced CH4 production by 14.39 ± 2.81 g/d, 6.05 ± 0.99 g/Mcal DE/kg, and 1.99 ± 0.43 g/kg DMI. Monensin has proven to be a viable feed additive technology that enhances the efficiency of cattle by reducing CH4 emissions.