Effect of Low Calcium or Low Phosphorus Diets on Free Choice Consumption of Dicalcium Phosphate by Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

A low calcium diet and a low phosphorus diet were fed to lactating cows in two experiments to detect specific appetite for these two elements. Little evidence was shown that dairy cows offered dicalcium phosphate free choice have specific appetite for calcium or phosphorus even after low intakes of 9 and 12 wk, respectively. Hand feeding or blending the required minerals into forage or a complete feed are preferred methods to feeding free choice. © 1976, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.