Addition of sodium bicarbonate to calf starter rations varying in protein percent

The influence of added sodium bicarbonate on calf performance and on a possible sparing effect on dietary protein was studied with 48 Holstein calves. Calves were assigned randomly to one of four starter diets containing 10% chopped hay in a 2 X 2 factorial designed experiment: 1) 12% crude protein, 0% sodium bicarbonate; 2) 12% crude protein, 3% sodium bicarbonate; 3) 17% crude protein, 0% sodium bicarbonate; and 4) 17% crude protein, 3% sodium bicarbonate. All calves were fed fermented colostrum for 5 wk and offered their respective starter diets from birth until 10 wk of age. Average daily gains and daily dry matter intakes for wk 0 to 5 were .24, .25; .28, .24; .26, .19; and .27, .24 kg for diets 1 to 4 and for wk 6 to 10 were .52, 1.64; .50, 1.73; .67, 1.78; and .63, 1.87 kg. Addition of sodium bicarbonate (diets 2 and 4) stimulated greater growth (0 to 5 wk) and higher feed intake for the 10-wk trial. Digestibilities of all nutrient measures at wk 9 were lower with added sodium bicarbonate and may be related to higher feed intake. Added sodium bicarbonate did not influence nitrogen digestibility. However, the higher protein diet with sodium bicarbonate improved nitrogen utilization. Rumen samples collected at 9 wk tended to have a higher pH and ratio of acetate: propionate with added sodium bicarbonate. Calves fed the high protein diets gained more weight and consumed more feed than calves fed the low protein diets.

Addition of sodium bicarbonate to complete pelleted diets fed to dairy calves

During two trials, 35 and 27 Holstein calves were fed ad libitum complete, pelleted diets containing either 35% alfalfa (Trial 1) or 35% grass (Trial 2) hay from birth to 12 wk of age. Calves in Trial 1 were fed one of the following diets: control, control + 3.5% sodium chloride, or control + 5% sodium bicarbonate. In Trial 2, diets were: control, control + 5% sodium bicarbonate, or control + 5% sodium bicarbonate + loose, chopped grass hay. Intake of dry matter, gain in body weight, ruminal pH, or fecal starch did not differ. Calves fed sodium bicarbonate in Trial 1 but not 2 had a reduced feed efficiency compared with control and supplemented diets. In Trial 1 added sodium bicarbonate did not alter intake or digestible energy. Addition of sodium bicarbonate increased concentration of ruminal acetate and butyrate and decreased propionate in both trials. Fecal pH was elevated in calves fed sodium bicarbonate diets during both trials. Sodium chloride increased water intake in Trial 1, and sodium bicarbonate increased water indigestible energy. Addition of sodium bicarbonate increased concentration of ruminal acetate and butyrate and decreased propionate in both trials. Fecal pH was elevated in calves fed sodium bicarbonate diets during both trials. Sodium chloride increased water intake in Trial 1, and sodium bicarbonate increased water indigestible energy. Addition of sodium bicarbonate increased concentration of ruminal acetate and butyrate and decreased propionate in both trials. Fecal pH was elevated in calves fed sodium bicarbonate diets during both trials. Sodium chloride increased water intake in Trial 1, and sodium bicarbonate increased water intake in Trial 2. Incidence of free-gas bloat was higher in calves fed sodium bicarbonate in both trials. Addition of sodium bicarbonate to complete pelleted diets containing 35% alfalfa or 35% grass hay appeared to have no benefit for young, growing dairy calves in performance and health.