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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 71 No. 3 754-761
© 1988 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Effects of Limestone on Starch Digestion in Holstein Steers1

G. H. Tissera2, J. H. Vandersall and R. A. Erdman

Animal Sciences Department, University of Maryland, College Park 20742

ABSTRACT

Eight calcitic and three dolomitic limestones were examined for particle size and reactivity with hydrochloric acid at pH 3.5 and 5.5. Reactivity was higher in calcitic than dolomitic limestone. Within calcitic limestones, reactivity was highly related to particle size. A highly reactive limestone was selected for use in two digestion trials with Holstein steers. In Trial 1, 4 steers (~300 kg) were fed diets consisting of 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate (DM basis) with .62 or 2.34% limestone in a single reversal trial with 3-wk experimental periods. Added limestone affected only starch digestibility, which increased from 91.3 to 93.2%. Fecal pH increased from 5.7 to 6.4 by limestone addition. In trial 2, four rumen and duodenally cannulated steers (~475 kg) were fed the same diets in the same design. Limestone addition increased fecal pH from 5.7 to 6.5. There were no effects of limestone on rumen or total tract digestion of starch or other nutrients. Limestone addition had no effect on rumen pH, buffering capacity, or VFA concentrations. Addition of a highly reactive limestone to diets containing high amounts of starch had little effect on starch digestion in either the rumen or lower gastrointestinal tract.

FOOTNOTES

1 Scientific Article Number A-4638, Contribution Number 7634 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station.

2 Current address: Cia. Agrop, "La Media Luna" de Santa Rose, Cangallo 667, 138 Buenos Aires, Argentina.






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Copyright © 1988 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.