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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #79024
Title: CAN WE SELECT ALFALFA CULTIVARS FOR IMPROVED DIETARY CATION ANION DIFFERENCE (DCAD)?

Author
item Horst, Ronald
item Goff, Jesse
item GUAN, J - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Buxton, Dwayne

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Milk fever is a complex metabolic disorder that occurs at the onset of lactation. The hallmark of this disease is severe hypocalcemia, which probably accounts for most of the clinical signs associated with a milk fever episode. Of the various methods used in attempts to control the disease, the most progress has been made in dietary management. During the past decade, there has been considerable interest and research in the use of dietary anions [chloride (Cl) and sulfate (SO4)] in controlling milk fever. An outgrowth of this research has also led to the surprising realization that dietary potassium (K) and sodium (Na) have a significant role [perhaps more significant than calcium (Ca)] in determining the susceptibility of dairy cows to milk fever. Alfalfa is an important forage for dairy cattle. Alfalfa, other legumes, and at least some grasses are capable of accumulating K within their tissues to concentrations that are well above that required for optimal growth of the plant (luxury consumption).