J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1969. 28:557-562.
© 1969 American Society of Animal Science
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Effects of Dietary Potassium upon Growth, Serum Electrolytes and Intrarumen Environment of Finishing Beef Steers1

T. J. Devlin, W. K. Roberts2 and V. V. E. St. Omer3

University of Manitoba,4, Winnipeg, Canada

Abstract

Two feeding trials were conducted to study the dietary K requirement of finishing beef steers. Twenty-four yearling steers were used in each trial which consisted of four diet treatments of six steers each. In both trials K2CO3 was added to a low K basal diet to make dietary K levels (oven-dry) ranging from 0.27 to 0.85% in the first trial and 0.36 to 0.77% in the second trial.

Potassium deficiency, as indicated by poor appetite, loss in bodyweight, pica and low serum K, was observed in steers receiving diets containing 0.27 and 0.36% K. In trial 1 rumen fluid pH, in vitro microbial activity and rumen fluid levels of sodium and K, in general, increased as dietary K increased from 0.22 to 0.85%.

The weight gain and feed efficiency data suggest that the K requirement for finishing steers was higher than 0.51% but not higher than 0.72% of the oven-dry diet in trial 1; while in trial 2 the K requirement was higher than 0.62% but not higher than 0.77% of the oven-dry diet.

Footnotes

1 Appreciation is expressed to the Horned Cattle Purchase Fund, Manitoba Department of Agriculture and Conservation for financial support of this research.

2 Present address: E. S. Erwin and Associates, Phoenix, Arizona.

3 Present address: Dept. of Pharmacology, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario.

4 Department of Animal Science.






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