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Response of Dairy Cows to Sodium Bicarbonate and Limestone in Early Lactation¹

Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

C. L. Davis

Department of Dairy Science, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

W. Chalupa and D. S. Kronfeld

Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348

L. F. Karcher³

Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

K. R. Cummings

Church and Dwight Co., Inc., P.O. Box 369, Piscataway, NJ 08854

ABSTRACT

A total of 108 dairy cows at three locations were fed a diet supplemented with sodium bicarbonate and limestone during the first 16 wk of lactation. Complete mixed diets were fed for ad libitum intake and consisted of concentrate and corn silage (60:40, dry matter). The four treatments were: 1) basal diet, 2) basal plus 1.2% sodium bicarbonate, 3) basal plus 1.4% limestone, and 4) basal plus 1.2% sodium bicarbonate plus 1.4% limestone. Dry matter intake was increased for 8 wk by sodium bicarbonate, then decreased from wk 9 to 16. Intake was decreased by limestone alone or in combination with sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate increased milk production for 8 wk and 4% fat-corrected milk for 16 wk. Average dry matter intake, milk production, and 4% fat-corrected milk (kg/day) for the 16 wk were: 1) 20.2, 31.1, 27.3; 2) 19.8, 32.0, 28.7; 3) 18.9, 31.4, 27.9, and 4) 18.4, 29.7, 27.2 for diets 1 to 4. Ruminal pH was decreased, and volatile fatty acid concentration was increased by added sodium bicarbonate and appeared to result from increased feed intake. Digestibility of nutrients was unaffected by supplements. Sodium bicarbonate affected regulation of blood and urine pH and concentration of electrolytes more than limestone. Serum magnesium was reduced with sodium bicarbonate, although not beyond normal physiological reference range.

¹ Authorized for publication as Paper No. 6924 in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., Technical Service and Development Division, P.O. Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662.

³ Department of Veterinary Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.