The Effects of Zeolites (Clinoptilolite) on Nutrient Use in Fistulated Beef Steers

Abstract

ABSTRACT THE EFFECTS OF ZEOLITES (CLINOPTILOLITE) ON NUTRIENT USE IN FISTULATED BEEF STEERS The need for a low-cost waste removal method has increased in demand, as the decrease of emissions created by cattle becomes a main focus of agriculture. Zeolites and their adsorptive properties may prove to be beneficial to remove animal excreted elements from volatilizing into the environment. Zeolites can inhibit losses from the conversion of ammonium to nitrate and ammonia that enter the soil or atmosphere when wasted by the animal. The focus of this study was to see if the inclusion of zeolites into beef steers would impact the use and excretion of ADF, NDF, N, and P within the animal. In this study, the effects of the zeolite, clinoptilolite (HEU), on whole-body N and P retention and excretion were evaluated in 12 fistulated Angus steers (initial BW 666 ± 41 kg). In a randomized block crossover design, steers were administered a 0.2 kg dose of limestone or HEU directly into the rumen. Nitrogen and phosphorus balance were measured from day 22 to day 27 of each group period. Urine and fecal samples were collected every 24 hours on each balance day. Urine samples were collected to measure N, P, and Urea-N excretion. Fecal samples were collected to measure ADF, NDF, N, and P excretion. Zeolite treatment did not differ from control (P < 0.05) in daily DMI (P= 0.94), DM digestibility % (P= 0.27), N digestibility % (P= 0.44), Fecal N (P= 0.44), Fecal P (P= 0.15), Urine Urea-N (P= 0.90), N retention (P= 0.94), and P retention (P= 0.21). NDF digestibility trended to be lesser (P= 0.07) in steers dosed with HEU compared to limestone. ADF digestibility trended to be lesser (P= 0.10) among steers dosed with HEU compared to limestone. In summary, N and P excretion levels did not differ between steers dosed with HEU or limestone, but there was a trend of decreased NDF and ADF digestibility between steers dosed with HEU compared to limestone. These data points suggest that directly administering zeolite to the ruminant animal had little impact on nutrient use within the ruminant animal.