C6— Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Iww 4,1983 DAIRY FEEDING ÜBS MflF Giving Cows An Energy Boost Modern dairymen are turn ing to high energy grain rations to maximize milk pro duction. That’s because cows have a limited rumen capacity. If fed just bulky forages, they could eat only enough to meet maintenance require ments and produce a minimal amount of milk. High energy grains provide additional nutrients needed for higher milk output. But along with this switch to high energy feeding has come an increase in rumen acids present in dairy cows’ digestive systems. Dairy cows with too much acidity some times experience depressed butterfat tests, reduced feed intake and lower milk produc tion, says Dr. Richard Adams, a dairy nutritionist at Penn sylvania State University. One feed ingredient which has been effective in balanc ing rumen acids is sodium bicarbonate, a compound which occurs naturally in cows’ saliva. Not enough saliva is secreted to neutralize acids produced when low fiber, high energy rations are fed. In these cases, supple mental feeding of sodium bi • Made off 13 gauge Steel • All welded seams • Gravity Flow or Auger Free Estimates Also - Steel Roof Trusses for buildings - Portable Hog Buildings - Bucket Elevators - Grain Augers Distributors - Flow Pipes & Accessories We Sell, Service & Install Ph: 215-944-7808 STOLTZFUS WELDING SHOP Owner - Samuel P. Stoltzfus RDIOII, Dryuille Rd. Fleetwood. PA19522 carbonate should be con sidered, Dr. Adams says. Dairymen feeding sodium bicarbonate should supply it at about .6 percent of dry matter intake. “That’sroughly equal to Tto 1.5 percent in a concentrate mixture or fin ished feed,” Dr. Adams explains. Milk production, butterfat test percentage and dry matter intake may improve separately or in combination when sodium bicarbonate is added to high energy rations in proper amounts. Dairymen might consider feeding sodium bicarbonate in combination with other feed ingredients such as mag nesium oxide and calcium car bonate, he adds. Recent uni versity research resulted in increases in fat-corrected milk when sodium bicarbonate was fed with magnesium oxide. Calcium carbonate may neutralize acids in the lower digestive tract in contrast to sodium bicarbonate’s neutral izing effect in the rumen. Fed in combination, these ingre dients may help correct acid imbalances throughout the digestive system. SEED CORN - SEED OATS - SOYBEANS SORGHUM SUDAN GRASS - QUICK CROP SEED AND CORN Will make good emergency feed this summer ALSO FOR SALE TRUCKLOAD LOTS, EAR CORN, SHELLED FEED CORN, ROASTED FEED CORN Call for delivery & prices ( ) PLEASE SEND CATALOG AND PRICE LIST ( )IF INTERESTED IN DEALERSHIP, CHECK HERE ( )IF INTERESTED IN GRANGE SALES AGENT CHECK HERE AND MAIL WITH NAME ADDRESS SEED CORN Congratulations To The New Dairy Princesses
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