formulation of rations with optimal cations and anions for.pdfVIP

Formulation of Rations with Optimal Cations and Anions for Lactation David K. Beede1 Department of Animal Science Michigan State University, East Lansing Summary and Conclusions Based published reports evaluating effects of dietary cation-anion difference [DCAD: meq (K + Na – Cl – S)/100 g of dietary DM] on lactational performance of dairy cows a value in the range of +25 to +30 meq is effective and sufficient to achieve maximum feed intake and milk yield. Considering all of the results currently available, the magnitude and difference in lactational responses is quite small over the range +20 to +40 meq/100g DM. Less than +20 meq was quite detrimental to lactational performance and greater the +40 meq was not significantly beneficial and even detrimental at higher DCAD concentrations. Thus, as long as the DCAD is within the +20 to +40 meq range little (or no) benefit is expected by supplementing additional cation (e.g., Na or K). In large part, published results are from experimentation with dairy cows in mid- to late lactation. There are few reports of experiments with very high yielding and (or) cows in the first trimester of lactation; such studies under these circumstance would be useful. When reviewing and interpreting published research reports, summaries, or especially advertisements about DCAD and supplementing cations it is very importance to consider the following. 1) Is the DCAD correctly calculated in the report; this is not always the case? 2) Is the DCAD reported or cited that for the four-element equation (DCAD4) which includes Na, K, Cl and S, or the three-element equation (DCAD3 such as with Na, K and Cl)? This can make considerable difference (between 13 and 19 meq/100 g of dietary DM for diets with 0.2 to 0.3%S in the four-element compared the three-element equation)