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Ionophores beneficial to performance, health

Jerad Jaborek Michigan State University
Feb 5, 2026
Feb 5, 2026

Feedlot beef cross dairy — A feedlot beef-cross-dairy steer eats from a feed bunk a corn-silage-based diet containing monensin.
Michigan State University

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Jerad Jaborek Michigan State University

Ionophores are carboxylic polyether compounds approved for use in beef cattle feed for improved weight gain, feed efficiency, and/or the prevention and control of coccidiosis. Ionophores are a classification of antibiotics. However ionophores are not used in human medicine, and therefore, are not regulated by the veterinary feed directive. In the United States there are three ionophores licensed for use -- monensin, lasalocid and laidlomycin propionate.

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