THE INFLUENCE OF BICARBONATE BUFFERS ON MILK PRODUCTION AND ACID-BASE BALANCE IN LACTATING DAIRY COWS

Two 4 × 4 Latin square feeding trials were conducted to investigate the influence of 0.75% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), 0.75% potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) and 0.66% ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) on production and acid-base parameters of dairy cows. Buffer supplementation did not improve feed intake or milk production compared to the control ration of 50% concentrate, 50% barley silage (DM basis). Apparent digestibilities of dry matter, acid detergent fiber and crude protein were not influenced by treatment. Buffer supplementation resulted in an increase in milk fat and total solids content in trial 2 but not in trial 1. In comparison to the two buffered rations, NH4Cl induced a mild form of acidosis as evidenced from reduced (P < 0.05) blood pH, HCO3, BE and urine pH values in trial 1 and blood HCO3 and urine pH in trial 2. In addition, DM and concentrate intake were reduced in trial 2 with NH4Cl supplementation. Treatment did not affect the molar proportions of the major rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA). It...

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