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New Research: Reducing Salt in Rations Report and comments by: James I. Sprague, Consulting Nutritionist New Regulations Prompt Research At the Plains Nutrition Council's 2001 meeting Dr. Tim Stanton, of Colorado State University, made this comment about the direction of their research. "With the recent emphasis on environmental regulation of concentrated animal feeding operations from both Federal and State agencies, our research efforts have focused on nutrient management." Colorado Research (Flatt, Stanton, Schutz, Davis CSU 2001) The research was conducted in winter of 1999 and spring 2000. They had four treatments for their steers: (1) no salt, (2) 0.125 percent salt, (3) 0.25 percent salt, and (4) no salt in the ration but a salt block offered free choice. There was also salt content in drinking water at the Akron, Colorado, site. One of the interesting results of this research was the effect on feed intake. "Feed intake tended to increase days 0-38 as dietary salt increased in the diet." The intakes for the four treatments were (1) no salt, 19.03 pounds of feed, (2) 0.125 percent salt of 20.17 pounds of feed and (3) 0.25 percent salt 22.33 pounds of feed. Whereas the treatment (4) with no salt, but with free choice salt block the feed, intake was also low of 18.00 pounds of feed per day. Comment: This is interesting research and possible an important reason for including salt in starting and growing rations. However like all research, more than one test will need to be done. Yet even though they were able to demonstrate increased intake for the first 38 days, the final weights and feed efficiencies did not reflect the effect on the starting period. "Dressing percent was linearly reduced as supplemental salt increased in the diet. Hot carcass weight was linearly decreased as the supplemental salt level increased in the diet." The test at Colorado was a winter test, and Dr. Stanton proposed a question. Would there be similar response in a hotter environment? Oklahoma Research Dr. Stanton also reviewed the recent research at Oklahoma State University by La Manna and others published in 1999. "Heifers (1122 lb.) fed, 0, 0.25, and 0.50 percent salt tended to increase feed intake and water intake as salt level increased." This project was part of a basic research to determine some of the interactions with electrolyte minerals. The big heifers increased their water intake 14 percent and 30 percent with the 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent as compared to no added salt. The feed intake increased from 19.6 to 22.4 and 22.8 pounds per day with the addition of salt. This research needs to be reviewed by nutritionists. The scientists at OSU make this observation, "Higher salt concentrations (in the rations) though not altering the dietary balance of the ration, decreased blood base excesses and thereby might increase likelihood of acidosis." Nutritional Reasons for Feeding Salt The nutritional reason for feeding salt is it contains both sodium and chlorine. Sodium is important in the electrolyte balance of osmotic pressure, acid-based balance, and particularly body fluid balance as well as other metabolic functions. Chlorine from salt is important for many enzyme functions and best known as the digestive juice of the true stomach i.e., hydrochloric acid. Management Reasons for Feeding Salt Urinary Calculi (water belly). When feeding high grain rations to cattle, phosphorus-containing urinary calculi may be a problem particularly for late castrated steers. Feeding adequate salt appears to either flush out the stones or change the acid level in the urine to help keep the stones from forming. Plenty of salt is needed for sorghum grain (milo) based rations that are supplemented with cottonseed meals. Both ingredients are high in phosphorus compared to corn and soybean meal based ration. My experience has proven urinary calculi caused by these rations will be a problem if adequate salt is not fed. The problem usually occurs late in the feeding program. I have seen the problem mostly in steer and only once with heifers. Stimulating intake. Many nutritionists prefer to include salt in the total mixed rations. Stimulating feed intake appears to be a fact. Include salt in starting and finishing rations with that management reason in mind as well as urinary calculi control. Certainly salt intake will stimulate cattle to drink more water. Managing water intake. Adequate fresh water is a critical nutrient. In the summer time extra salt in the ration will stimulate cattle to drink more water. Caution: if this tactic is used, then adequate water tanks are needed because cattle will congregate around the water tank to use the water to help cool themselves. The stronger cattle will get the benefit. If drinking water availability is limited, salt may have to be reduced to bare minimum. Management Suggestions Feedyard managers and nutritionists are aware of the importance of salt in the feeding program. Testing the feed ingredients and water for mineral content is important to determine if small changes can be made. Some feed ingredients from the fermentation industry have high level of chlorides. Certainly the natural level of sodium and chlorides in water will change the need for salt in the ration. Adequate salt in starting rations may stimulate feed intake, and also head off "silica type" urinary calculi that occur from cattle from certain areas. Salt level may be reduced more in heifers than steers if possible. Manure considerations must be evaluated. Comments on this and other articles can be directed to Dr. Jim Sprague, 625 Grandview Avenue, Newton, Kansas, 67114, or call (316) 283-8692. |
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