Evaluation of sustained release mineral boluses as a long-term nutrient delivery method for beef cattle

Abstract Two studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of sustained release mineral boluses as an alternative nutrient delivery method for beef cattle. For both studies 16 ruminally-cannulated cows were used in a completely randomized design. In study 1, we evaluated degradation rates of two bolus prototypes and cow age (2-yr-old versus 3-yr-old cows) over an 87-d study period. In study 2, we evaluated two bolus types (90-d degradation target versus 180-d degradation target), as well as two diet qualities contrasting a low-quality high-fiber forage (> 600 g/kg neutral detergent fiber and 150 g/kg crude protein, dry matter basis). For both Study 1 & 2, intake and digestion periods were conducted to evaluate cow age (study 1) or diet quality (study 2) effects on intake and rumen/reticulum function. In study 1, models containing an asymptotic effect of day and an interaction between day and bolus type were the best supported of the candidate models for bolus degradation rate. Cow age did not affect (P= 0.48) bolus degradation rates ( β ^ = -0.81 ± 1.13) and degradation rates were greater (P β ^ prototype B = -20.39 ± 1.13; β ^ prototype A = -9.64 ± 0.81). Bolus degradation rate displayed an asymptotic relationship (P β ^ = 5.83 ± 0.57) and a linear relationship (P β ^ = 0.001 ± 0.0001). In study 2, models containing a linear effect of day and an interaction between day and diet were the best supported of the candidate models for the degradation rate of the 90-d and 180-d prototype. In addition, both bolus protoypes displayed a diet quality × time interaction (P β ^ High-quality = -2.64 ± 0.08; β ^ Low-quality = -1.97 ± 0.10) than the cows that were fed a low-quality diet. In contrast, cattle treated with the 180-d bolus had an inverse effect (P β ^ Low-quality = -0.09 ± 0.007; β ^ High-quality = -0.04 ± 0.005) with cows on the low-quality diet versus the high-quality diet. Across both studies, two of four bolus prototypes met target release rates at 90 days. However, bolus prototype degradation characteristics varied and were influenced by diet quality.