Phosphorus supplementation of lactating dairy cattle on a Northland farm

Forty-eight Friesian or Friesian-X factory supply dairy cows were divided into two groups. Group 1 received a supplement of sodiumtripolyphosphate (TPP, 25g P, 25g Na/cow/day), and group 2 a supplement of sodium chloride (25g Na/cow/day). Supplementation began at peak lactation, when the mean serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi) of all cows was 1.13 mmol/l. After four weeks, group 2 changed from NaCl to dicalcium phosphate supplementation (25g P/cow/day). Serum Pi and yields of milk, butterfat and protein were measured before, during and after supplementation. Pasture availability was assessed and P and Ca contents in pasture and the Pi content in milk were also determined. Supplementation raised serum Pi from 1.30 mmol/l (NaCI) to 1.42 mmol/l (TPP, P<0.05) but when dicalcium phosphate replaced NaCl the difference between groups disappeared (P>0.05). P supplementation had no effect on any milk parameter. Pre-grazing pasture mass above estimated grazing height averaged 2260 kg DM and contained >or=0.39 per cent P. It is concluded that a herd mean serum Pi concentration of around 1.2-1.3 mmol/l imposes no limitation to dairy production around the period of peak lactation of grazing dairy cattle.