Sodium Chloride Levels for Finishing Feedlot Heifers

Authors

Casey B. Wilson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Casey N. Macken, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2004

Comments

Published in 2004 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2003 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A trial was conducted to establish a NaCl level that maximizes intake and performance while minimizing excretion of Na to the environment. Fifty-nine individually fed yearling heifers (803 lb) were fed 113 days. NaCl was added to a corn-based feedlot diet at levels of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375 and 0.5 % of diet DM. No difference in ADG, DMI or F/G were observed with different levels of NaCl. Results suggest NaCl inclusion in the diet likely is not necessary to maintain acceptable feedlot performance.