J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1980. 51:722-731.
© 1980 American Society of Animal Science
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Salt (Sodium) Supplementation of Range Beef Cows in California

James G. Morris2, Richard E. Delmas3 and John L. Hull4

University of California, Davis 95616

Abstract

The need for supplying supplemental salt to beef cows grazing unseeded, partially cleared Californian range was investigated with two groups of 22 Hereford cows each. Treatments began when the cows had been lactating about 5 months and continued through the subsequent two pregnancies and lactations. One group of cows received supplemental salt ad libitum, while the other group received no salt. Groups were alternated between two fields to reduce effect of pasture variation. Despite low concentrations of Na in the dry pasture during summer, there were no significant differences between salt treatments in the body weight changes of the cows, number of calves born or birth or weaning weights of the calves. A higher percentage of cows not receiving salt had narrow parotid salivary Na:K ratios during lactation. However, all cows had "normal" ratios after their calves had been weaned. The concentration of Na in the drinking water, and hence its contribution to total intake of Na, was inversely related to pasture Na concentration, and could have significantly contributed to the Na economy of the cows. The rationale for universally supplying salt free choice to grazing cattle is questioned. The mean intake of supplemented salt was 27 g/cow/day, but over 7-day periods, it varied from 0 to 65 g/cow/day.

Footnotes

2 Depts. of Anim. Sci. and Physiol. Sci. and Univ. of California Agr. Exp. Sta., Davis.

3 Dept of Anim. Sci., Sierra Foothill Range Field Sta.

4 Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of California, Davis.






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Copyright © 1980 by the American Society of Animal Science.