Bloat in Cattle. X. Efficacy of Poloxalene in Controlling Alfalfa Bloat in Dairy Steers and in Lactating Cows in Commercial Dairy Herds

Abstract

Three experiments tested the efficacy of a nonionic surfactant, poloxalene, a polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene block polymer, to control alfalfa bloat. In Experiment I, four Kansas dairy herds were used in the spring of 1964. Half of each herd served as controls and half were fed poloxalene. All were provided succulent alfalfa. The treatments were reversed after seven to ten days. In three herds, poloxalene prevented legume bloat nearly 100% of the time. In the fourth herd, a few poloxalene-treated cows bloated. Raising the level of poloxalene stopped the bloat. On completion of the reversal trial, all cows in two herds were fed poloxalene before pasturing alfalfa. No bloat occurred.In Experiment II (fall of 1964), all cows in four Kansas herds were fed poloxalene before being fed succulent alfalfa. Again, 100% control of bloat was achieved when cows consumed sufficient poloxalene.In Experiment III, 36 dairy steers were used at Iowa State University, Ames. Half served as control and half received poloxalene before being provided succulent alfalfa. During the 113-day trial complete bloat control was achieved when animals consumed at least half the poloxalene offered. Results indicate that effectiveness of poloxalene as a bloat preventive remains constant as the season progresses. An effective level to prevent bloat appears to be at least 10g poloxalene per 500kg body weight per feeding.