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Addition of Salt to Cattle Diets Based on Sodium and Chloride in Feedstuffs and Drinking Water^1,2,

Texas A&M University, College Station 77843

Abstract

An array of feeds manufactured for cattle in Texas was analyzed for Na and Cl. These analyses revealed ranges of Na in the dry matter of dairy mixes from .34 to 1.90%, in creep grower feeds from .09 to 1.27% and in range cubes from .39 to 1.71%. Corresponding ranges for Cl were .42 to .80%, .43 to 1.33% and .67 to 2.48%, respectively. An analysis of 13 forages grown in Texas revealed large variations in Na (.02 to .96%) and Cl (.03 to 1.17%) dry basis. A summary of the composition of well water used for livestock in 20 counties of Texas also exhibited variation of 3 to 2,800 ppm Na and 2 to 5,000 ppm Cl. The means were sufficiently great that consideration of the amounts of these elements in forages and drinking water would reduce and, in many cases, eliminate the need for salt as a supplement for either element. Requirements for Na and Cl plus corresponding feedstuff composition values should be included in feed formulation programs, which then will include salt only when it is needed as a supplement for either element. This was illustrated using a least-cost linear program with drinking water included as a special feed.

¹ Appreciation is expressed to H. D. Pennington of the Soils and Crops Sci. Dept. Texas A&M Univ. for the forage samples.

² Tech. Article 22875 by the Texas Agric. Exp. Sta

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci.