Yes, research has shown that grazing stocker cattle gain 0.15 to 0.20 pounds faster per day when receiving 125 to 200 milligrams of an ionophore daily.
The economics of feeding an ionophore depends on the cost of the carrier supplement. The carrier may be a mineral mixture, protein supplement or grain mix. The most common carriers are loose mineral mixes or blocks. If an ionophore is fed in a loose mineral, dry molasses or a similar product must be added to achieve three- to four-ounce intake per day to obtain the desired level of ionophore consumption. Alternative supplements containing ionophores can be hand fed daily, every-other-day or three times a week, with similar performance benefits as long as average daily intake is the same. As with any feed additive, read and follow directions on the label
