Sodium requirements for grazing animals

Authors: Lowe MD, Dewes HF
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 1-2, pp 19-20, Jan 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock
Subject Terms: Diet/rations/food, Minerals/elememts, Nutrition/metabolism, Pasture/crop
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: From January 1984 to March 1986, this laboratory has undertaken a routine analysis of pasture plant leaf, maize silage, and lucerne hay for soduim. Preparation consisted of drying at 80°C for 48 hours in a hot air oven. The materials were then ground and digested in nitric perchloric acid. Sodum determination was made by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Although the source and number of pasture samples from Australia was limited, the mean sodium content was considerably lower than measured for the Waikato. As would be expected, the natraphobes of maize and lucerne were extremely Iow. Soil type and geographic location of pastures of Waikato origin did not appear to exert any significant influence whereas the application of salt to soil did so. The sodium requirements recommended for classes within species and for species are shown in Fig. I for cattle, goats, horses, and sheep. Published ranges for classes within species are extremely wide, e.g. lactating dairy cattle 52-78 mmol Na/kg DM, ewes 40-82 mmol Na/kg DM. Sodium concentrations in feeds have been reported in one or other of three units of measurement…

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