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The Effects of Adequate and Excessive Calcium When Fed with Adequate Phosphorus in Growing Rations for Beef Calves¹

University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Abstract

Two 140-day feeding trials were conducted to compare the effects of adequate calcium with excess calcium on the performance of beef calves fed adequate phosphorus in a growing ration.

Calcium-phosphorus ratios of 1.3:1, 4.3:1, 9.1:1, and 13.7:1 were fed to steer calves in lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The phosphorus fed in all lots was approximately 12 gm. per calf daily. Calcium in the rations was varied by adding ground limestone. The calves in all lots consumed about the same amount of feed per day.

Gains decreased as the calcium in the rations was increased. The average gains made by the calves in lots 1 and 2 did not differ greatly and the average gains made by the calves in lots 3 and 4 did not differ greatly. However, the average gains made by the calves in lots 1 and 2 did differ widely from the gains made by the calves in lots 3 and 4. Thus, if gains are used as a criterion, a critical calcium-phosphorus ratio may exist between 4.3:1 and 9.1:1.

Initial and terminal calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels in the blood plasma were determined for all calves in trial I and for the calves from lot 1 and lot 4 in trial II. The excess calcium intake was not reflected by a change in the blood plasma calcium levels. In trial I, the terminal inorganic phosphorus in the plasma differ significantly between treatments. In trial II, the inorganic phosphorus in the plasma did not differ significantly between the lots. The inorganic phosphorus content was not depressed below a level considered adequate for proper nutrition. Thus, the excess calcium appeared to depress gains by interferring with the digestibility and/or absorption of nutrients and mineral elements other than phosphorus.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as paper No. 821, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station.