Feeding Potassium Bicarbonate and Sodium Chloride in Finishing Diets

Authors

Sheryl Colgan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry L. Mader, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2007

Comments

Published in 2007 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2006 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Angus crossbred yearling steers (n = 180) were used to evaluate effects of feeding additional potassium and sodium on performance and tympanic temperature of steers under heat stress and seasonal summer conditions. Steers were assigned one of four treatments: 1) control; 2) potassium (diet containing 2.10% KHCO₃); 3) sodium (diet containing 1.10% NaCl); or 4) potassium and sodium (diet containing 2.10% KHCO₃ and 1.10% NaCl). Daily water intake was increased and dry matter intake to daily water intake ratio was decreased for cattle fed potassium and potassium and sodium rations. Tympanic temperatures did not differ among dietary treatments under thermoneutral or hot environmental conditions.