Effects of high-sulfur water and clinoptilolite on health and growth performance of steers fed forage-based diets1

Abstract

Sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia (sPEM), a neurological disorder affecting ruminants, is associated with consumption of diets with increased S (high-S). High-S water is commonly found in many western states and is a major source of dietary S for grazing cattle. Consumption of high-S water has been associated with sPEM and decreased performance. Identification of a feed supplement that would counteract the negative effects of high-S water would decrease the incidence of sPEM and prevent performance reductions in regions with problematic water sources. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the effects of administering high-S drinking water to forage-fed feedlot steers on health and performance, and 2) determine the effectiveness of clinoptilolite, a clay mineral with increased cation-exchange capacity, in negating the effects of high-S drinking water. Yearling steers (n = 96; 318.2 +/- 2.1 kg of BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments for a 77-d trial period: control with low-S water (566 mg of SO(4)/L), high-S water (3,651 mg of SO(4)/L), or high-S water plus clinoptilolite supplemented at 2.5 or 5.0% of the diet DM. Feed and water consumption were measured daily, and all steers were weighed on d -2, -1, 29, 53, 76, and 77. Plasma samples were collected on d 0, 58, and 77, and liver samples on d 0 and 77. There was a greater (P <or= 0.046) frequency of sPEM in high-S steers than control steers, but no differences among high-S treatment groups. In total, 12 cases of sPEM were confirmed by the presence of cortical lesions in steers consuming high-S water. Daily DMI (P = 0.002) and daily water intake (P = 0.001) were less in high-S water steers than control steers. No differences (P >or= 0.546) in ADG or G:F were observed. Plasma Cu decreased (P = 0.029) to a greater magnitude in high-S water steers than the control steers over the 77-d trial period. Mineral analyses of hepatic tissue from randomly selected healthy steers from each treatment group (n = 10 per treatment) showed an interaction (P <or= 0.034) of sample time and treatment for Cu, Se, and Zn concentrations. These results suggest that clinoptilolite does not negate the effects of high-S water, and administration of high-S water decreases herd health through an increased incidence of sPEM and reduced nutritional status.

High-sulfur in beef cattle diets: A review

“…Regrettably, the use of this compound is likely limited by its availability and cost. Others have evaluated the use of clay minerals such as zeolite (Knight et al, 2008) or clinoptilolite (Cammack et al, 2010) as hydrogen sinks to lessen H 2 S production in cattle fed high S diets, but in both cases, the clay mineral had no effects on cattle performance.…”

Zeolites versus Lead Toxicity

“…Besides, this mineral has widespread applications in agriculture [1,2]. According to [38], zeolites also allow better performance of intestinal microflora.…”

Influence of Kaolinite Clay Supplementation on Growth Performance and Digestive Function in Finishing Calf-fed Holstein Steers

“…Colling et al (1979) observed decreased ADG and DMI in finishing steers fed high-moisture and steam-flaked corn-based diets supplemented with 2.5% bentonite. In other studies (Cammack et al, 2010), supplementation with 2% to 5% clay (as bentonite or zeolite) did not affect ADG, or gain efficiency. Mendel (1971) did not detect differences in DMI between controls and supplemented steers fed 2% to 4% montmorillonite clay.…”