HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Riggs, J. K. Articles by Sells, L. V. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Riggs, J. K. Articles by Sells, L. V.

The Effect of Self-Feeding Salt-Cottonseed Meal Mixtures to Beef Cows

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

Abstract

Results of two experiments in which mixtures of cottonseed meal and salt were self-fed to beef cows are presented.

Salt may be used to limit the consumption of concentrates from self-fed mixtures. No ill effects from the use of these mixtures were observed when cows were allowed to become gradually adjusted to the high salt intake and were given access to an abundant supply of water at all times.

No significant difference in blood chlorides was observed between cows fed high levels of salt as compared to cows receiving only a normal salt intake. No differences in blood chlorides were observed between the beginning and end of the experiment when all groups were considered; however, there was a significant difference between blood chloride levels at the beginning and end of the experiment for cows self-fed a mixture of salt and cottonseed meal with a low intake of hay.

There appeared to be no real difference in chlorides found in the colostrum or normal milk either between treatments or between stages of lactation.

Cows fed a high salt allowance consumed considerably more water and excreted a much greater volume of urine than cows receiving only a normal salt allowance. Total chloride excretion of the high salt cows was 11.5 times that of the controls, 98.3 percent of which was excreted in the urine. Histological studies showed no kidney damage.

Data from a digestion trial indicate a beneficial effect of high salt intake upon digestibility of all the nutrients, particularly protein, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract, with a less significant effect on ether extract digestion. Further investigation is needed.

High salt intake appeared to have no detrimental effect upon reproductive performance of the cows.

¹ Departments of Animal Husbandry and Biochemistry and Nutrition.

² The authors wish to express their appreciation to Mr. J. G. Moffitt of the Department of Animal Husbandry, to Dr. Hilton A. Smith, head of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, and to Dr. R. D. Turk, head of the Department of Veterinary Parasitology for their cooperation in this work.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. A. Gelvin, G. P. Lardy, S. A. Soto-Navarro, D. G. Landblom, and J. S. Caton Effect of field pea-based creep feed on intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and performance by nursing calves grazing native range in western North Dakota J Anim Sci, December 1, 2004; 82(12): 3589 - 3599. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. S. Schauer, G. P. Lardy, W. D. Slanger, M. L. Bauer, and K. K. Sedivec Self-limiting supplements fed to cattle grazing native mixed-grass prairie in the northern Great Plains J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(1): 298 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]