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Timothy silage with low dietary cation-anion difference fed to nonlactating cows
E Charbonneau1, P Y Chouinard, G F Tremblay
1Département des Sciences Animales, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6. edith.charbonneau@fsaa.ulaval.ca
Journal of Dairy Science
|April 25, 2009
Summary
Feeding low-dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) timothy silage effectively lowers DCAD in nonlactating cows, inducing a compensated metabolic acidosis. This study confirms its use in dairy cow rations.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Ruminant Nutrition
- Dairy Cattle Physiology
Background:
- Decreasing dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) prepartum reduces hypocalcemia in dairy cows.
- Low-DCAD timothy hay effectively lowers DCAD, but its silage form's effects are unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of feeding low-DCAD timothy silage on the DCAD and acid-base balance of nonlactating dairy cows.
Main Methods:
- A replicated 3x3 Latin square design with six nonlactating Holstein cows.
- Three diets were tested: control (DCAD = 232 mEq/kg DM), low-DCAD timothy silage (LDTS; DCAD = -21 mEq/kg DM), and low-DCAD fermentation by-product (LDBP; DCAD = -32 mEq/kg DM).
Main Results:
- LDTS tended to decrease dry matter intake and apparent digestibility, lowering urinary pH and blood pH, HCO3-, and base excess.
- Compared to LDBP, LDTS resulted in higher blood pH, HCO3-, and base excess, with lower blood Cl-.
- LDTS feeding led to lower apparent absorption and retention of key minerals and nutrients.
Conclusions:
- Low-DCAD timothy silage can effectively decrease the DCAD of rations for nonlactating dairy cows.
- Feeding low-DCAD timothy silage induces a compensated metabolic acidosis, similar to other anionic strategies.
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