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<p>The aim of this experiment was to investigate the main and interactive effects of sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation level (1% vs. 3% of dietary DM) and the grain source (barley vs. corn grain) in calf starter feed containing 5% chopped alfalfa hay. Our hypothesis was that a higher SB level would improve calf performance by buffering rumen pH and that the grain source of the calf starter feed would differentially influence rumen fermentation. Further, we hypothesized an interaction effect where a higher SB supplementation level would provide greater benefits in barley-based starter diets due to the rapidly fermentable starch of barley grain depressing ruminal pH. Forty-eight three-day-old calves, averaging 39.7 ± 1.47&#xa0;kg in body weight, were distributed at random into 4 treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the factors being grain source (barley vs. corn) and SB level. A trend toward a significant interaction (<i>P</i> = 0.09) was observed in final body weight (day 75), which was higher in calves fed the corn-based starter diet containing 1% SB. Feeding a corn-based feed, compared to a barley-based feed, increased initial feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) without affecting feed efficiency. The level of SB supplementation did not affect starter feed intake or feed efficiency. However, ADG was reduced before weaning and throughout the growth period when the SB content in the feed increased from 1% to 3%. Weaning (d 60) and final (d 75) heart girth, body barrel, hip height, and withers height were greater in calves consuming a corn-based starter vs. barley-based starter ration. Hip width was greater when 1% vs. 3% SB was included in the starter diet. Feeding a corn grain-based starter diet containing 1% SB tended to increase body length and hip width at weaning and heart girth and hip height at d 75. Ruminal pH was lower in calves fed barley-based starter feed compared to corn-based feed, both with 1% SB, but when the SB level was raised to 3%, the ruminal pH of calves fed barley-based feed increased to values similar to those recorded in calves fed corn-based feed. Increasing SB supplementation raised the molar concentration of butyrate and lowered that of propionate, resulting in a higher acetate to propionate ratio in both grain diets, while isovalerate decreased in the barley diet and increased in the corn diet. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber was higher for corn-based feed than for barley-based feed at a 1% SB supplementation level. However, when the level was increased to 3%, the digestibility of all nutrients decreased, especially for corn-based feed. A similar reduction in rumination time in response to increased SB supplementation was observed with corn-based feed, while an increase was observed with barley-based feed. Overall, feeding a corn-based starter (55.1% ground corn grain, 32.5% soybean meal, plus 5% chopped alfalfa hay) containing 1% SB is recommended as this combination improved growth, nutrient digestion, and ruminal fermentation.</p>

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Impacts of grain source and sodium bicarbonate supplementation level on calf performance, nutrient digestion, and rumen fermentation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月26日

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  • M. Arzhandi,
  • F. Hashemzadeh,
  • M. Alikhani,
  • M. Mirzaei,
  • B. Dolatkhah,
  • F. Ahmadi

摘要

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the main and interactive effects of sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation level (1% vs. 3% of dietary DM) and the grain source (barley vs. corn grain) in calf starter feed containing 5% chopped alfalfa hay. Our hypothesis was that a higher SB level would improve calf performance by buffering rumen pH and that the grain source of the calf starter feed would differentially influence rumen fermentation. Further, we hypothesized an interaction effect where a higher SB supplementation level would provide greater benefits in barley-based starter diets due to the rapidly fermentable starch of barley grain depressing ruminal pH. Forty-eight three-day-old calves, averaging 39.7 ± 1.47 kg in body weight, were distributed at random into 4 treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the factors being grain source (barley vs. corn) and SB level. A trend toward a significant interaction (P = 0.09) was observed in final body weight (day 75), which was higher in calves fed the corn-based starter diet containing 1% SB. Feeding a corn-based feed, compared to a barley-based feed, increased initial feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) without affecting feed efficiency. The level of SB supplementation did not affect starter feed intake or feed efficiency. However, ADG was reduced before weaning and throughout the growth period when the SB content in the feed increased from 1% to 3%. Weaning (d 60) and final (d 75) heart girth, body barrel, hip height, and withers height were greater in calves consuming a corn-based starter vs. barley-based starter ration. Hip width was greater when 1% vs. 3% SB was included in the starter diet. Feeding a corn grain-based starter diet containing 1% SB tended to increase body length and hip width at weaning and heart girth and hip height at d 75. Ruminal pH was lower in calves fed barley-based starter feed compared to corn-based feed, both with 1% SB, but when the SB level was raised to 3%, the ruminal pH of calves fed barley-based feed increased to values similar to those recorded in calves fed corn-based feed. Increasing SB supplementation raised the molar concentration of butyrate and lowered that of propionate, resulting in a higher acetate to propionate ratio in both grain diets, while isovalerate decreased in the barley diet and increased in the corn diet. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber was higher for corn-based feed than for barley-based feed at a 1% SB supplementation level. However, when the level was increased to 3%, the digestibility of all nutrients decreased, especially for corn-based feed. A similar reduction in rumination time in response to increased SB supplementation was observed with corn-based feed, while an increase was observed with barley-based feed. Overall, feeding a corn-based starter (55.1% ground corn grain, 32.5% soybean meal, plus 5% chopped alfalfa hay) containing 1% SB is recommended as this combination improved growth, nutrient digestion, and ruminal fermentation.