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Beta Acid Extracts Of Hops Have A Modest Effect On Ruminal Metabolism And Apparent Total Tract Digestibility By Steers Fed High-Concentrate Diets, S. Uwituze, J.M. Heidenreich, James J. Higgins, James S. Drouillard

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hops have been used for centuries to control bacterial contamination in beer production. Today, α acids are extracted from hops for use in flavoring beer, leaving residues that are rich in beta acids. Beta acid fractions of hops can selectively inhibit specific ruminal Gram-positive bacteria that are responsible for major digestive disturbances, such as acidosis and bloat, and have a chemical structure similar to that of ionophores used in feedlot production. Use of ionophores improves efficiency of feed utilization and decreases the incidence of digestive disturbances that are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cattle feeding operations. The …