Patent ID: 6485765
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A23K

Abstract:
A method for improving the lactational performance of a dairy cow which comprises feeding a lactating cow with a feedstock having a prescribed content of macromineral nutrients; wherein the relative proportions of macrominerals in the feedstock are defined as a dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) which corresponds to the equation:DCAD=meq(Na++K+)âˆ’(Clâˆ’+SO4âˆ’2)/100 g dietary DM where meq is milliequivalents, Na is sodium cations, K is potassium cations, Cl is chloride anions, SO4 is sulfate anions, and DM is dry matter; wherein DCAD has a value between about 20-60 meq/100 g dietary DM, and the atomic ratio of potassium:sodium in the feedstock is between about 1-5:1; and wherein the feedstock has a weight ratio of potassium:magnesium between about 3-5:1.