BY RICHARD ERDMAN
Maryland Dairy Scientist
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Currently there is a renewed
interest in the use of feed
ingredients commonly
referred to as “buffers” in
dairy cow rations.
Buffers are a common
term for a class of feed
ingredients which when fed,
tend to stabilize pH in the
rumen of the cow. These
properties are especially
important when cattle are on
high levels of concentrates
and com silage is used as the
mam roughage source.
Normally cows maintain
rumen pH by secretion of the
buffer, sodium bicarbonate
in the saliva which in turn
helps maintain rumen pH.
However, there is
evidence that show that cows
on high concentrate diets,
especially during the initial
adaptation to these diets, do
Even our directors
make personal calls.
At National Central Bank one of our
primary objectives is to serve, and
help preserve, the family farm.
We still believe that agriculture is the
backbone of America, and the family
farm is the cornerstone of agriculture
in our area.
Contact your local office for complete
details on National Central Agri-
Finance Program.
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Wm 1 X- Member FDIC
Wayne L. Armacost (center), dairy specialist and one of the principals of Hickory Hill Farms, Inc at Upperco, Maryland, is
pictured m the 24 stall polygon milking parlor describing the operational features including automatic detachers, electronic
weighing device and computer production recorder to National Central Bank representatives (left to right) Charles H. Falkler,
Senior Vice President and York Regional Administrator, John C Tuten, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Board of
Directors, National Central Bank, Paul £ Spears, Member of the Hanover Advisory Board and Member of the Board of Directors,
National Central Bank, N T. Washburn, Chairman of the Hanover Advisory Board and Member of the Board of Directors,
National Central Bank.
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How to use buffers
not secrete sufficient sodium
bicarbonate and other
buffering compounds in
sahva to maintain rumen
pH.
Smce the rumen is really a
fermentation vat, changes in
pH can have a large effect on
the ways feed is fermented
in the rumen.
The most commonly used
and studied buffering
compounds include: sodium
bicarbonate, potassium
bicarbonate, magnesium
oxide and sodium bentonite.
One common problem
associated with high gram
diets in dairy cattle has been
depression m milk fat test.
This problem has increased
over the years as the level of
grain feeding has increased.
Cows early in lactation,
especially those with
unlimited access to gram
such as those on magnetic
S ft »
feeders may have greatly
depressed milk fat tests.
Usually this problem is
associated with a lack of
coarse roughage in the diet.
NRC requirements call for
at least 21 percent acid
detergent fiber in the total
ration to maintain normal
fat tests. Not only amount of
roughage, but also physical
form make a difference.
For instance, chopping
forages too fine for silage
(less than 5/8” theoretical
cut) can result m fat test
problems whereas inclusion
of at least five pounds of long
hay in the ration helps
maintain test.
Many times inclusion of
long hay will correct the
problem but sometimes this
is not possible.
Dairymen relying on
stored feed have no alter
native but to use the forages
that are on hand. In these
When we work together, through a
relationship of mutual trust, we can
all continue to move ahead. We can
continue to keep agriculture strong.
Help butter ;
instances, addition of
dietary buffers can be of
great help.
Sodium bicarbonate and
magnesium oxide have been
the most commonly studied
and used dietary buffers.
Common recom
mendations would be for 30
to 40 pounds of sodium
bicarbonate or 15 to 20
pounds of magnesium oxide
per ton of concentrate mix.
There is some evidence
that a combination of
slightly lower levels of both
may be more effective than
either buffer alone. Caution
should be given to addition of
higher levels since both
sodium bicarbonate and
magnesium oxide are un
palatable and may reduce
intake of concentrates.
One important point to
remember is that buffers
will not raise milk fat test
where tests are already
at test
in dairy rations
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 22,1979-
normal. For dairymen in
terested, most feed suppliers
will have sodium bicar
bonate and magnesium
oxide on hand.
Responses in fat test
should be seen in two to three
weeks following inclusion in
the ration.
Limited work on milk fat
depression has been con
ducted with other buffers
Microwave is used
to sterilize potting soil
MEDIA The advantages
of using garden soil in
“home-brewed” potting
mixes prepared for house
plant and home greenhouse
use is well documented,
according to James J.
McKeehen, Delaware
County Extension
Agricultural Agent.
Many people, find that to
purchase sterilized soil is too
costly or that the procedure
of sterilization in the oven is
tedious and smelly.
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WINTER APPLICATION
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such as sodium bentonite but
it is difficult at this time to
give a good recommendation
on the amounts to use.
For dairymen using
magnetic feeders, inclusion
of sodium bicarbonate
and/or magnesium oxide
may be an excellent way of
maintaining fat test in in
dividual cows that tend to
overcome grain.
As a result, garden soil, is
either not used or it’s added
unsterilized. A new
dimension on soil
sterilization using
microwave ovens comes
from the University of
Minnesota.
The regular kitchen-sized
microwave oven proved
capable of sterilizing in
fected soil of disease
problems in less than 15
minutes provided there was
adequate moisture
available.
BEST WISHES
Hope your holidays are
filled with things to
make Christmas bright.
ORGANIC
PLANT
FOOD CO.
13