Induction of hypocalcemia in non-lactating, non-pregnant Holstein cows fed negative DCAD rations with low, medium or high concentrations of calcium

摘要

Prepartum feeding of a negative dietary cation-anion difference (-DCAD] ration has proved to be an effective method of preventing hypocalcemia. However, the optimum Ca concentration to feed with -DCAD rations has not been determined. We conducted an experiment to assess the implications of feeding a low, medium, and high concentration Ca -DCAD ration on the ability of a cow to respond to an induction of hypocalcemia.