Karen M. Koenig, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Ruminant Nutrition

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Lethbridge, Alberta

Current research and/or projects

Phytobiotics as alternatives to antimicrobials in beef cattle production

Strategies for sustainable cropping of annual crops in the Lower Fraser Valley and other intensive agricultural regions

Improving nutrient balances on dairy farms using model farmlets and simulation

Mitigating enteric methane emissions to improve environmental performance of forage-fed ruminants

Research and/or project statements

Nitrogen-use efficiency and mitigation of ammonia emissions from beef cattle

Natural plant extracts to optimize rumen function and nutrient utilization

Whole farm nutrient management and environmental sustainability

Trace mineral nutrition and metabolism

Education and awards

Ph.D. Ruminant Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 1994

M.Sc. Ruminant Nutrition, University of British Columbia, 1988

B.Sc. (Honours). Animal Science, University of British Columbia, 1984

Key publications

Chibisa, G.E., Beauchemin, K.A., Koenig, K.M., Penner, G.B. (2020). Optimum roughage proportion in barley-based feedlot cattle diets: total tract nutrient digestibility, rumination, ruminal acidosis, short-chain fatty absorption, and gastrointestinal tract barrier function. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 98(6), http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa160
2020 - View publication details
Hunt, D; Bittman, S., Koenig, K. and Telford, G. Jump-Starting Fall Cover Crops By Relay Cropping; The Case of Italian Ryegrass and Corn. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings Nov. 10-13, 2019.
2019 - View publication details
Aboagye, I.A., Oba, M., Koenig, K.M., Zhao, G.Y., Beauchemin, K.A. (2019). Use of gallic acid and hydrolyzable tannins to reduce methane emission and nitrogen excretion in beef cattle fed a diet containing alfalfa silage. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 97(5), 2230-2244. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz101
2019 - View publication details
Cordeiro, M.R.C., Rotz, A., Kroebel, R., Beauchemin, K.A., Hunt, D., Bittman, S., Koenig, K.M., McKenzie, D.B. (2019). Prospects of forage production in northern regions under climate and land-use changes: A case-study of a dairy farm in Newfoundland, Canada. Agronomy, [online] 9(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9010031
2019 - View publication details
Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A., McGinn, S.M. (2018). Feeding condensed tannins to mitigate ammonia emissions from beef feedlot cattle fed high-protein finishing diets containing distillers grains. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 96(10), 4414-4430. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky274
2018 - View publication details
Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A. (2018). Effect of feeding condensed tannins in high protein finishing diets containing corn distillers grains on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and route of nitrogen excretion in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 96(10), 4398-4413. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky273
2018 - View publication details
Thomas, B.W., Stoeckli, J.L., Beck, R., Liu, K., Koenig, K.M., Beres, B.L., Hao, X., Gao, X. (2017). Nitrapyrin reduced nitrous oxide emissions from beef cattle urine patches on a semiarid tame pasture. Soil Science Society of America Journal, [online] 81(6), 1537-1547. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2017.04.0123
2017 - View publication details
Lee, C., Araujo, R.C., Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A. (2017). In situ and in vitro evaluations of a slow release form of nitrate for ruminants: Nitrate release rate, rumen nitrate metabolism and the production of methane, hydrogen, and nitrous oxide. Animal Feed Science and Technology, [online] 231 97-106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.07.005
2017 - View publication details
Lee, C., Araujo, R.C., Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A. (2017). Effects of encapsulated nitrate on growth performance, nitrate toxicity, and enteric methane emissions in beef steers: Backgrounding phase. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 95(8), 3700-3711. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2017.1460
2017 - View publication details
Koenig, K.M., and Beauchemin, K. A. 2017. Feeding tannins to reduce nitrogen losses from feedlot cattle fed high protein diets containing wheat distillers grains: ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and route of nitrogen excretion. J. Anim. Sci. 95 (Suppl. 4):279-280 (Abstr.). doi:10.2527/asasann.2017.569
2017 - View publication details
Jancewicz, L.J., Swift, M.L., Penner, G.B., Beauchemin, K.A., Koenig, K.M., Chibisa, G.E., He, M.L., McKinnon, J.J., Yang, W.Z., McAllister, T.A. (2017). Development of near-infrared spectroscopy calibrations to estimate fecal composition and nutrient digestibility in beef cattle. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 97(1), 51-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2016-0107
2017 - View publication details
Hunt, D., Bittman, S., Koenig, K. 2016. "Optimizing Corn Cover Crop Systems for Production of Dairy Feed in a Changing Climate in BC, Canada." ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting 2016-Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 6-9.
2016 - View publication details
Hunt, D., Bittman, S., Koenig, K. 2016. "Increasing nutrient production on dairy farms by less frequent harvesting of late maturing grass varieties." ASA-CSSA-SSSA International annual meeting 2016-Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 6-9.
2016 - View publication details
Bittman, S., Hunt, D., Koenig, K., Duynisveld, J., Mckenzie, D., Kroebel, R., and Haak, D. "Semi-Virtual Model Farmlets to Study Nutrients in Livestock Farms: Proposed Dairy System Case Study. 2016. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting 2016-Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 6-9.
2016 - View publication details
Koenig, K. M. and McGinn, S. M. 2016. Effect of temperature on ammonia emissions from feedlot cattle manure. J. Anim. Sci. 94, E-Suppl. 5/J. Dairy Sci. 99, E. Suppl. 1:569-570 (Abstr.). doi.org/10.2527/jam2016-1187
2016 - View publication details
Lee, C., Araujo, R.C., Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A. (2015). Effects of encapsulated nitrate on eating behavior, rumen fermentation, and blood profile of beef heifers fed restrictively or ad libitum. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 93(5), 2405-2418. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8851
2015 - View publication details
Lee, C., Araujo, R.C., Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A. (2015). Effects of encapsulated nitrate on enteric methane production and nitrogen and energy utilization in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 93(5), 2391-2404. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8845
2015 - View publication details
Koenig, K.M., McGinn, S.M., and Beauchemin, K.A. (2013). "Feeding tannins to reduce ammonia emissions from feedlot cattle fed high protein finishing diets containing corn distillers grains.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, P56, pp. 48. (Poster)
2013 - View publication details
Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A., and Yang, W.-Z. (2013). "Processing feed grains: factors affecting the effectiveness of grain processing for beef and dairy cattle production.", 34th Western Nutrition Conference – Processing, Performance & Profits, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, September 24 - 26, 2013, pp. 62-73.
2013 - View publication details
Koenig, K.M., Beauchemin, K.A., and Yang, W.-Z. (2013). "Processing Feed Grains: Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Grain Processing for Beef and Dairy Cattle Production.", Western Nutrition Conference, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, September 24-26, 2013.
2013 - View publication details