Influence of dietary cation–anion difference in finishing diets fed to Holstein steers during periods of high ambient temperature on feedlot performance and digestive function

Abstract

One hundred twenty-six Holstein steers (457.1 ± 27.5 kg BW) were used in a 127-d experiment to evaluate the influence of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments consisted of steam-flaked corn-based diets supplemented to provide DCAD of 34, 84 or 134 mEq/kg diet DM. There was no treatment effect (P > .20) on ADG, DMI, gain efficiency or dietary NE. Six Holstein steers (196 ± 3 kg) with cannulas in rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin Square design to evaluated treatment effects on digestion characteristics. The DCAD did not affect (P > .20) ruminal or total digestion of OM, NDF, starch and N, or ruminal pH and VFA molar proportions. It is concluded that increasing DCAD of Holstein steers fed a conventional steam-flaked corn-based diet under conditions of high ambient temperature will not enhance growth performance. ARTICLE HISTORY

Modulation of rumen fermentation and microbial community through increasing dietary cation–anion difference in Chinese Holstein dairy cows under heat stress conditions

“…1994; Pacheco et al . 2018). It is believed that regulating DCAD would directly influence the rumen pH and rumen microbial productivity in ruminants (Pacheco et al .…”

“…It is believed that regulating DCAD would directly influence the rumen pH and rumen microbial productivity in ruminants (Pacheco et al . 2018). In the current study, we observed no significant effects of increasing DCAD on ruminal pH.…”

“…This finding is consistent with the study of Pacheco et al . (2018), in which the rumen pH was unaffected by increasing DCAD from 34 to 84 and 134 mEq kg −1 DM in a steam‐flaked corn‐based finishing ration fed to Holstein steers under high ambient temperature conditions. Similarly, no impact on the ruminal pH of increasing DCAD in a cracked corn‐based finishing diet from −9 to +35 mEq kg −1 DM (Ross et al .…”

“…1994; Pacheco et al . 2018). However, it was also reported that the molar proportions of propionate decreased as DCAD increased (Russell et al .…”

“…Pacheco et al . (2018) also noted that increasing DCAD (from 34 to 84 and 134 mEq kg −1 DM, respectively) did not impact the growth performance or digestion characteristics of Holstein steers fed a conventional steam‐flaked corn‐based diet under high ambient temperature conditions.…”