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A note on the effect of limestone supplementation on the performance of cattle given barley-based diets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

Jean M. Bass ,
G. Fishwick  and
J. J. Parkins
Jean M. Bass
Affiliation:
Animal Husbandry Department, Glasgow University Veterinary School, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH
G. Fishwick
Affiliation:
Animal Husbandry Department, Glasgow University Veterinary School, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH
J. J. Parkins
Affiliation:
Animal Husbandry Department, Glasgow University Veterinary School, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH
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Abstract

Groups of Hereford-cross steers weighing 283 kg were given 0·6 kg dry matter hay per head per day, and bruised barley supplemented with 40 g of a fully soluble liquid product per kg, containing urea, minerals and vitamins, ad libitum. Half the animals received 10 g limestone per kg diet as an additional supplement. Over a 105-day period the food intake of the limestone-supplemented animals was 0·20 higher than that of unsupplemented animals. The resultant daily live-weight gain was 1·22 kg compared with 0·92 kg for the animals receiving the diet containing no additional limestone. Food conversion ratios (kg/kg live-weight gain) were improved by limestone supplementation from 6·84 to 6·19. Limestone inclusion did not appear to influence the low concentrations of starch (ca. 15 g/kg) present in the faecal dry matter but there was a small significant difference in faecal pH.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 34 , Issue 3 , June 1982 , pp. 351 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1982

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References

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