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Sodium fertilizer application to pasture. 2. Effects on dairy cow production and behaviour
Author(s) -
CHIY P. C.,
PHILLIPS C. J. C.,
BELLO M. R.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2494.1993.tb01853.x
Subject(s) - pasture , grazing , lactose , fertilizer , zoology , agronomy , milk production , chemistry , biology , food science
Fifty‐four lactaling dairy cows were grazed for 24 weeks on pasture receiving 0 (Nil), 32 (Low) or 64 (High) kg Na ha ‐1 yr ‐1 and with (+) or without (‐) 100g NaHCO 3 buffer included in a maize gluten concentrate supplement. Cattle grazed the Na‐fertilized pasture to a lower height, particularly in the High treatment. Cows grazing pasture with Na fertilizer produced more milk, and milk fat concentration increased in direct proportion to amount of Na fertilizer applied and with NaHCO 3 . This increase was greatest in early season. Milk protein concentration was not affected by Na fertilizer application or NaHCO 3 buffer addition. Milk lactose concentration was increased by Na fertilizer application but not by NaHCO 3 supplementation. Cows in the Na‐applied treatments gained more live weight but there was no effect of treatment on condition score change. Grazing time and drinking frequency increased linearly with increasing pasture Na. Ruminating time and biting rate were similar at the Low and High treatments and greater than the Nil treatment. NaHCO 3 , supplementation increased drinking frequency and decreased the rate of concentrate intake. Cow reproductive performance was not significantly affected by Na fertilizer application. During the residual period, cows that had previously grazed the Na‐fertilized pasture had reduced milk fat and protein contents.