Poloxalene as a bloat preventative for beef steers grazing immature alfalfa

Abstract

Poloxalene has proved to be an effective agent to prevent legume bloat in cattle, however, intake of the compound at regular intervals during the day is important. Intake twice daily at approximately 12-hour intervals has been shown to control bloat. This presents a management problem with beef cattle under most grazing conditions. This trial tested the effectiveness of poloxalene administered to beef cattle grazing immature alfalfa in a molasses-salt block and as “Bloat Guard” mixed with rolled sorghum grain fed free choice in a self feeder.