Effect of anionic salts fed in late gestation on the production of dairy cows in early lactation and on blood calcium concentrations

Abstract

Anionic salts are fed to dairy cows in late gestation to improve their calcium status at calving in order to reduce the risk of milk fever. The salts alter the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) which, if done correctly, is reported to promote the absorption of calcium from the small intestine and starts the mobilisation of calcium from bone. Most research with anionic salts has been undertaken in the United States where cows generally have higher body condition scores than cows in Australia. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the interaction between body condition and the response of cows to the use of anionic salts.