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Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate and Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate upon Utilization of Concentrate- and Roughage-Based Cattle Diets: Cattle Studies^{1, 2,}

Auburn University^,3, Auburn, AL 36849

Abstract

Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) or tetra-sodium pyrophosphate (Na₄P₂O₇) was added at either 1.0 or 2.5% of dry matter to either high concentrate (trial I) or high roughage (trial II) based control diets in an attempt to understand the reasons for variable feedlot response when dietary buffers are fed in different kinds of diets. Following conclusion of the 70-d growth study, rumen fluid was collected via stomach tube from three randomly selected steers from each treatment group before feeding and at hourly intervals for 7 h following feeding. The concentrate-fed steers were also sampled on d 6 of the trial in an identical manner. In trial I, buffers tended to increase daily feed consumption of the concentrate diet. Daily body weight gains of the 1% Na₄P₂O₇ group were 14% higher (P<.05) than the control. Both buffers at the 1.0% level and Na₄P₂O₇ at the 2.5% level improved feed conversion of concentrate-fed steers, with responses of 13.4, 18.2 and 13.5% for the 1% NaHCO₃ and Na₄P₂O₇ and 2.5% Na₄P₂O₇ % groups. At d 6, there was a tendency of increased ruminal pH in steers fed the buffered diets and the molar percentage and change in concentration of acetic acid following feeding was increased (P<.05) with the 1% level of both buffers. By the end of the experiment these differences no longer existed. The C₂:C₃ ratios of the buffered treatments were higher than the control at 6 d but all were similar at the end of the trial. In trial II, buffers tended to decrease feed intake and daily gains compared with the control group. Feed conversion also tended to be more efficient for the controls. Buffers had very little effect on changes in VFA concentration after feeding, molar proportions or pH compared with the controls. The addition of buffers to concentrate diets was of benefit but were of no value in these roughage-based diets.

¹ Journal Paper No. 4-82270 of the Alabama Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Data taken in part from Matthew Hall's M.S. Thesis (1982). Research supported in part by the Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO.

³ Dept. of Anim. and Dairy Sci.

⁴ Current address is Federal Land Bank Assoc., Auburn, AL 36116.