Monensin and mineral supplementation economically increase yearling cattle weight gain on California annual rangeland

Stocker operators generally graze cattle on California annual rangelands from November to May. The profit margins of these operators is low as cattle sell for less per unit at the end of the season when compared with the beginning. This creates a need for methods to economically increase weight gain, which can help to mitigate market volatility. The use of monensin is common in much of the United States but has not been researched in the unique winter annual rangelands of California. Likewise, research that formally documents weight gain from the correction of selenium deficiency on these rangelands is also lacking. Trials were conducted over 2 years to determine weight gain differences with treatments of salt only (control), salt with monensin, mineral supplement, and mineral supplement with monensin. All three treatments increased weight gain by 12%, 9%, and 15% over feeding straight salt, respectively. It appears that selenium deficiency correction and supplemental monensin should be considered economical weight gain improvement tools for yearling cattle grazing California annual rangeland.