NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
THE DIGESTION AND UTILIZATION OF CRUDE FIBRE
167
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111. Scheunert, A. Ztschr. f. physiol. Chem., 1906, 48, 9.
112. Scheunert, A. Berlin. tierarztl. Wochenschr., 1909, No. 45.
113. Scheunert, A, Ibid., 1910, No. 5.
114. Scheunert, A, and Grimmer. Ztschr. f. physiol. Chem., 1906, 47, 88.
115. Scheunert, A. and Grimmer. Ibid., 1906, 48, 27.
116. Scheunert, A. and Grimmer. Berlin, tierarztl. Wochenschr., 1910, No. 7.
117. Scheunert, A., and Krzywanek, F. W. Die Verdauung des Pferdes, in E. Mangold, Handb.
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J. Springer.
118. Scheunert, A. and Lotsch. Ztschr. f. physiol. Chem., 1910, 65, 219.
119. Scheunert, A. and Lotsch. Berlin. Tierarztl. Wochenschr., 1909, No. 47.
120. Scheunert, A. and Schieblich, M. Bethe, Handbuch. d. norm. u. pathol. Physiol., 1926-27,
3, 967.
121. Schieblich, M. Die Mitwirkung der Bakterien bei der Verdauung, in E. Mangold, Handb.
d. Ernahrung u. d. Stoffwechsels d. landwirtsch. Nutztiere, 1929, 2, 310. J. Springer,
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122. Schieblich, M. Biedermans Zentralbl. A., 1932, 2, 483.
123. Schwalbe, G. C. Ztschr. f. angewandte Chem., 1933, 46, 707.
124. Smith, Hammond and Rastell., The grouse in health and disease. London, Smith, Elder
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125. Sprengel, K. Chemie fur Forstmanner, landwirte u. s. w. Gottingen. 1832.
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127. Stotz, H. Arch.f. Tierernahrung u. Tierzucht, 1931, 7, 29.
128. Stotz, H and Bruggemann, H. Arch.f. Geflugelk., 1933, 7, 202.
129. Strauss, L. Arch. f. Verdauungskr„ 1925, 34, 288 ;1927, 41,1.
130. Tappeiner, H. Ztschr. f. physiol. Chem., 1882. 6, 432.
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132. Teschner, M. Landwirtsch. Jahrb , 1927, 66, 361.
133. Thomas, K. Berlin, Klin. Wochenschr., 1919, 428.
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135. Trager, W. Biochem, J., 1932, 26, 1762.
136. Tschermak, A. V. Biochem, Ztschr., 1912, 45, 452.
137. Ustjanzew, W. Ibid., 1907, 4, 154.
138. Ustjanzew, W. Ibid., 1911, 37, 457.
139. Voltz, W. Landwirtsch. Jahrb., 1909, 38, 553.
140. Waentig, P. Ztschr. f. physiol. Chem., 1919, 107, 225.
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F
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145. Woodman, H. E. J. Agric. Sci., 1927, 17, 333.
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1930, 5, 273.
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EFFECT OF CALCIUM-DEFICIENT ROUGHAGES UPON MILK YIELD
AND BONE STRENGTH IN CATTLE.
BY
R. B. BECKER, W. M. NEAL AND A. L. SHEALY.
Department of Animal Husbandry, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Gainesville,
Florida.
[Reprinted from Journal of Dairy Science, Volume XVII, No. 1, January, 1934.]
INTRODUCTION.
Dairy cows depend upon roughages as the principal natural sources of calcium,
and upon grains and milling by-products for most of the phosphorus. Grasses
provide from one-fifth to one-third as much calcium, and about three-fifths as much
phosphorus as do the legumes grown under the same conditions. The calcium
content of the forages grown on low-lime soils is lower than that of the same kinds
of plants on more fertile soils. Lactating cows dependent on grass forages grown
on low-lime soils often deplete their reserves of calcium to such an extent that
skeletal strength and yield of milk are affected.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.
The Jersey cows in the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station dairy herd
were dependent upon pasture grasses, and corn or sorghum silages, as the main
sources of roughages. Since December, 1920, alfalfa meal was included as one-ninth
to one-eighth of the concentrates mentioned in the herd records and annual reports
of the station. One cow—No. 18—received alfalfa meal prior to that time, while
she was on Register of Merit test.
All rations mentioned during this time contained an adequate proportion of
protein, total digestible nutrients and phosphorus for cows of their weight and milk
production. Under the conditions of feeding just mentioned, these Jerseys had an
average milk yield of approximately 4,000 pounds per year. A number of them
suffered broken bones—hips, ribs and even a pelvis- under this general feeding
practice.
The rations were changed in January, 1929, by the addition of two per cent.
of bonemeal to the mixed concentrates, based upon a study of the conditions noted.
Bonemeal was chosen in preference to a local supply of calcium carbonate because
the former was known to be free from fluorine and other undesirable substances.
This proportion of mineral supplement was assumed to supply sufficient calcium
to provide for maintenance, a reasonable milk production, and to allow a surplus
with which the cows could restore the body reserves.
( 169 )
F 2
170 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE.
Eckles (2) observed that cows on phosphorus-deficient rations produced much
less milk than when the lacking mineral was supplied. Theiler (7) and Tuff (8)
reported similar conditions among cattle in parts of the Union of South Africa and
of Norway. Fingerling (3) obtained similar results with milk goats on rations the
basal portion of which was deficient in calcium. Meigs and Woodward (5) con-
cluded that cows produced appreciably more milk after having been placed in good
mineral storage during the preceding dry period.
Kellner (4) mentioned that dairy rations are deficient in calcium more fre-
quently than they are in phosphorus. Under these conditions, cows withdraw
mineral matter from the bones in order to maintain milk production. As this
impoverishment progresses, the milk yield is decreased.
Nessler (6) found that the bones of a cow affected with Knochenbruchigkeit
(bone-fragility) contained less calcium and phosphorus, were lighter in weight, and
had thinner shaft walls than had those of a healthy cow. The spongy bones—
vertebrae, pelvis and joints—were affected more than the shaft bones of the legs.
This depletion of calcium and phosphorus in the skeleton occurred when the cattle
received feeds inadequate in the bone-forming mineral elements.
PLAN OF INVESTIGATION.
Typical rations used with the dairy herd were assembled from the herd records
and annual station reports, and a study made of them. The rations were changed
slightly in January, 1929, by adding two per cent. of finely ground feeding bone-
meal to the concentrates. Some of the higher producing cows were given a daily
allowance of about five pounds of alfalfa hay. Some changes were made in the
proportion of concentrates based on local market prices of nutrients, and upon
availability of these feeds.
Twelve Jersey cows in the herd had completed lactations on the unsupplement-
ed rations, and also upon the supplemented rations after January, 1929. Their
lactation records were assembled by 10-day periods, computed to maximum age
basis, using the factors of Clark (1) for Jersey cows milked twice daily not under
official test conditions. An average lactation curve was computed, weighted on
the " per cow " basis.
Cow No. 59 broke her pelvis late in December, 1928. Following the autopsy,
breaking strengths were determined upon her femurs and humeri, using an electri-
cally driven Riehle Brothers testing machine, and applying the weight slowly from
above in the middle of 7- and 5-inch spans of the shafts. After bonemeal had been
added to the rations, leg bones were obtained from additional Jersey cows as they
EFFECT OF CALCIUM-DEFICIENT ROUGHAGES
171
were eliminated from the station herd, and bone strengths determined similarly,
using a 6-inch span. Similar data were obtained from the leg bones of three range
cows, six Aberdeen Angus cows and 24 three-year old steers. The steers had free
access to bonemeal during one year prior to slaughter, while the Angus cows received
a limited grain allowance which contained one per cent. of bonemeal. Both the
steers and Angus cows received pasture grasses and silages grown on the same types
of soil as that fed to the Jerseys.
PRESENTATION OF DATA.
The data presented herein were accumulated under the conditions of manage-
ment prevailing over a period of years in the station dairy herd generally, rather
than from an investigation planned in advance with a limited number of selected
cows. Detailed search of the herd records and experiment station reports showed
that pasture grasses (largely Bahia, centipede and Bermuda grasses), corn, cane or
sorghum silages were the principal roughages in use. Summation of published data
from seven early feeding trials between 1908 and 1917 showed that Jersey cows with
an average weight of 711 pounds and a 15 pound milk yield daily, received 22¼
pounds of silage. Their concentrates were mainly one part of cottonseed meal
(36 per cent. protein) with 2 to 4.4 parts of wheat bran. Other concentrates fed at
times included cocoanut meal, wheat middlings, velvet beans in the pods or ground
into feed meal. One test cow ration consisted of 300 wheat bran, 200 velvet bean
feed meal, 100 cornmeal and 80 parts of peanut meal (grade not stated). Alfalfa
meal was mentioned first in the ration of Cow No. 18 on Register of Merit test, and
again in December, 1920, when it became one-ninth to one-eighth of the regular
concentrate mixtures fed. During two feeding trials of 123 and 84 days, 4 and 6
cows respectively received not in excess of four pounds of alfalfa hay daily. Mineral
supplements, except common salt, were not used until shortly prior to 1929, and
then for but a limited time.
The concentrate mixtures used more recently in connection with the roughages
mentioned are listed in table I. Cost and availability of oats, corn gluten feed and
peanut meal (44 per cent. protein) caused them to be replaced with locally grown
velvet bean feed meal, higher grade cottonseed meal and by changing the proportions
of the feeds used.
Calcium and phosphorus contents of the several typical rations were calculated,
using average analyses of purchased concentrates, and analyses of the locally-grown
feeds. All of these rations provided an adequate supply of protein and total digest-
ible nutrients, and exceeded the requirements given by Kellner (4) and Wellman
(9) for phosphorus. The supply of calcium was noticeably inadequate.
172 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
TABLE I.
Concentrates used with silages and grass pasture in feeding the Florida Station dairy
herd from 1922 to 1933.
Year
Ration
Wheat bran
.
.
.
.
Cornmeal . . . .
Ground oats . . .
Alfalfa meal . . .
Peanut meal . . .
Cottonseed meal, 36 per cent.
„ 41
„
.
Corn gluten feed . . .
Dried beet pulp . . .
Linseed oilmeal . . .
Velvet bean feed meal . .
Common salt . . .
Bonemeal
.
.
.
.
1922
Ration 1
100
100
75
50
50
50
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1923
Ration 2
100
100
75
50
...
100
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1924 and
1925
Ration 3
100
100
100
50
...
100
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1928
Ration 4
200
300
300
...
100
100
...
100
100
100
...
...
...
1929 to
1933
Ration 5
400
300
...
...
...
...
100
...
200
100
200
13
26
The concentrates in general use since January, 1929, containing two per cent.
of bonemeal, provided calcium sufficient to meet the requirements for maintenance,
a more liberal milk yield, and to allow mineral reserves to be restored to the skeleton.
No cow in milk in the station herd has had a broken bone since that time, and the
milk yield has increased, as will be shown. A comparison of the amounts of calcium
and phosphorus contained in these several rations is shown in table II.
Lactation records were assembled and tabulated for the 12 Jersey cows that
had completed lactations both on the earlier low-calcium rations with the concen-
trates listed in table I, and on the rations containing bonemeal. A total of 44
lactations were included in the low-calcium group. The average actual yield per
lactation, weighted on the " per cow " basis, was 3,980 pounds of milk, or an
average of 13.38 pounds daily during these 44 lactations of 400 days or less. These
same 12 cows completed 22 lactations on the high-calcium rations, averaging 6,425
pounds of milk, or 17.55 pounds daily. The earlier group of lactations averaged 297
days in length, in contrast to 366 days for the latter group.
There was a marked tendency for these cows to attain a higher maximum
daily milk yield, and to decline in milk flow less rapidly when the low-calcium
rations had been supplemented with bonemeal.
Since these lactations were begun at varying ages, they have been computed to
a uniform maximum age basis, using the factors obtained by Clark (1) with Jersey
cows milked twice daily not on official test. The lactation curves so computed, are
EFFECT OF CALCIUM-DEFICIENT ROUGHAGES
173
TABLE II.
Comparison of the nutrients required by a typical cow in the station dairy herd and of
the nutrients provided by rations in use between 1908 and 1933.
Requirements—
725 lb. cow yielding
15 lbs. of 5 per cent.
milk.*
Rations in use—
1908-1917 . .
1922-1925 . .
1928
. . .
1929-1933 . .
Rations
Corn
silage
Lbs.
...
22.25
22.25
22.25
22.25
Concen-
trates
Lbs.
...
12.0
11.0
10.5
11.0
Nutrients provided
Digestible
crude
protien
Lbs.
1.5050
2.3178
1.907
1.8733
1.6811
Total
digestible
nutrients
Lbs.
11.4756
11.6633
11.638
11.6600
11.6075
Calcium
(Ca)
Lbs.
0.0800—.1059
.0789‡
.0306
.0448
.0408
.0776
Phosphorus
(P)
Lbs.
0.0394—.0458+
.0323‡
.1705
.1973
.1535
.1032
* The average requirements are based on weights and milk records of cows in feeding trials con-
ducted between 1908 and 1917 at this station.
† Calcium and phosphorus requirements calculated according to Wellman's (9) requirements.
‡ Calcium and phosphorus requirements calculated accordirg to Kellner's (4) requirements.
Fig. 1. Average daily milk yields of 12 Jersey cows before and during use of bonemeal as a
supplement to low-calcium rations.
shown in figure 1. These milk records were assembled by 30-day periods, and the
relative rates of milk yields calculated in relation to the milk yield on the unsupple-
174 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
mented rations. This comparison of monthly milk yields on the low-calcium and on
the supplemented rations is shown in table III.
TABLE III.
Persistence of milk production of 12 Jersey cows as affected by addition of bonemeal as
a supplement to low-calcium rations.
Month
1 . . . .
2
.
.
.
.
3
.
.
.
.
4 . . . .
5 . . . .
6 . . . .
7 . . . .
8 . . . .
9 . . . .
10 . . . .
11 . . . .
12 . . . .
13 . . . .
10 days . . .
Total .
Production on low-calcium
rations
Milk yield
Lbs.
644.3
636.2
572.1
525.5
464.0
420.6
378.2
328.2
281.2
201.9
112.6
55.4
27.6
8.4
4,656.2
Rate of pro-
duction*
per cent.
13.84
13.66
12.29
11.29
9.96
9.03
8.12
7.05
6.04
4.34
2.42
1.19
.59
.18
100.00
Production on supplemented
rations
Milk yield
Lbs.
765.1
789.9
732.1
681.3
622.2
553.2
525.3
493.7
464.1
406.7
359.0
295.4
237.7
66.2
6,991.9
Rate of base
production*
per cent.
16.43
16.96
15.72
14.63
13.36
11.88
11.28
10.60
9.97
8.73
7.71
6.34
5.11
1.42
150.16
* The total production in the first lactation curve (4,656.2 pounds of milk) is the base figure
used in the computing the rate of production. These lactation curves are weighted on the " per
cow " basis, computed to the maximum age by using the factors of Clark (1), so as to place indivi-
dual lactations upon a comparable basis.
EFFECT OF CALCIUM-DEFICIENT ROUGHAGES
175
Over fifty per cent. more milk was produced per lactation of 400 days or less on
the supplemented rations. These 12 cows yielded 31.17 per cent. more milk per day
for each day in milk (under 400 days) during these lactations. This latter point
takes into consideration the fact that the cows tended to milk over longer lactation
periods on the supplemented rations.
SKELETAL STUDIES.
Five cows in a herd of 34 on the low calcium diet had suffered one or more
broken bones, as follows :—
No. 59—pelvis broken in three places.
No. 120—both hips and right 12th rib broken.
No. 223—right 13th rib.
No. 225—left hip and last four ribs on right side.
No. 229—left hip.
Even a 10-year old bull—Florida's Majesty 153431—was slaughtered in 1927
because of a broken hip that affected his usefulness. This large proportion of
animals with broken bones called attention to the extremity of the condition caused
by the low-calcium rations. Cow No. 59 went down with a broken pelvis during late
December, 1928. Upon autopsy, the femurs and humeri were obtained, and average
breaking strengths of only 335 pounds were recorded. In these determinations,
7- and 5-inch spans respectively were used, but in all subsequent studies of bone
strengths, a standard 6-inch span was adopted. As more cows were eliminated from
the herd, the long bones of the legs were obtained, and their strengths determined.
It is of interest to note that the femurs and humeri of four Jersey cows receiving
the supplemented ration for the last 19 to 27 months, averaging over 10 times as
strong as the corresponding bones taken from Cow No. 59. In every instance the
femurs and humeri exceeded the cannon bones in average strength. Noting this
relationship, it was possible to use strengths of cannon bones as indices of the state
of mineral storage of the cows.
The strengths of No. 59's leg bones represent an extreme stage of depletion of
mineral reserves in the skeleton. This cow had been a persistent producer, averag-
ing 6,338.6 pounds of milk in her 11 lactations, and in the last lactation produced
8,159.9 pounds of milk in 531 days. That this cow is not an isolated instance is
suggested by the proportion of cows in the station herd at that time that had broken
one or more bones.
The strengths of cannon bones from 24 three-year old steers represent a medium
stage of mineral storage in the skeletal tissues. Three mature (dry) range cows for
which bone strengths are presented, were in a lower stage of storage. On the other
176 THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ IV, II.
hand, the bone strengths of the dairy cows that had received the supplemented
rations indicate that it may be possible for cows to attain a stage of excellent mineral
storage, available for subsequent lactations. A summary of these bone strengths, as
determined on selected bones taken from cattle under the various conditions out-
lined, are presented in table IV.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS.
The cows considered in this study received rations that were adequate, con-
sidered from the usual feeding standards. This was evidenced by the fact that many
of the cows were extremely fat, and yet were not yielding milk in proportion to the
intake of digestible nutrients—in many instances they had one pound or more of
grain for each two pounds of milk produced. The quality of protein was probably
satisfactory, since it was derived from six plant sources—maize, wheat, flax, velvet
beans, cotton and sugar beets—in addition to the variety of pasture grasses. The
supply of phosphorus from the concentrates was in excess of the requirements.
The calcium intake in the average ration was extremely low, even for cows with
the level of milk production of Jerseys in commercial dairies.
The depression of milk production was less marked than has been observed in
long-continued phosphorus deficiency (2).
TABLE IV.
Average breaking strength of 215 leg bones from Florida cattle under different feeding
conditions*.
Cattle
Jersey.
Cow No. 59 .
Range Cows.
No. 1 . .
No. 2 . .
No. 3 . .
Type of ration
Dairy
ration,
unsupplement-
ed.
Range on sand
and
muck
lands.
Range on sandy
lands.
Range, peanut
hay in winter.
Average breaking strength of bones from left and right legs
Hume-
rus
Femur
Radius
and
ulna
Tibia
and
fibula
Fore
cannon
Rear
cannon
Average
No Bonemeal available.
Lbs.
330(a)
...
2,240
...
Lbs.
340(b)
...
2,405
...
Lbs.
...
...
1,923
...
Lbs.
...
...
2,602
...
Lbs.
...
1,530
1,883
2,120
Lbs.
...
1,998
2,155
2,380
Lbs.
335
1,764
2,201
2,250
* Breaking strengths were determined by using a 6-inch span with weight applied slowly in the
middle from above, except (a) a 5-inch span, and (b) a 7-inch span with Cow No. 59.
EFFECT OF CALCIUM-DEFICIENT ROUGHAGES
177
TABLE IV—contd.
Average breaking strength of 215 leg bones from Florida cattle under different feeding
conditions*—contd.
Cattle
Type of ration
Average breaking strength of bones from left and right legs
Hume-
rus
Femur
Radius
and
ulna
Tibia
and
fibula
Fore
cannon
Rear
cannon
Average
Two per cent of bonemeal in concentrates.
Guernsey.
Cow No. 297 .
Dutch Belted
Cow.
Jersey Cows.
No. 81, 120,
195, 225.
No. 177, 188,
218.
Dairy
ration,
bonemeal 1 mo.
Dairy
ration,
bonemeal 29
mo.
Dairy
ration,
bonemeal 19—
27 mo.
Dairy
ration,
bonemeal 13—
23 mo.
Lbs.
...
3,535
3,244
...
Lbs.
...
3,645
3,636†
...
Lbs.
...
3,710
2,848
...
Lbs.
...
3,240
3,299
...
Lbs.
3,470
3,255
2,228
2,700
Lbs.
3,440
3,868
3,302
3,788
Lbs.
3,455
3,542
3,037
3,244
One per cent of bonemeal in concentrates.
Aberdeen Angus
6 cows . .
Grass,
silage,
concentrates.
...
...
...
...
2,689
3,370
3,030
Access to bone meal ad libitum.
Steers.
8 grade Angus
16 native and
grade Here-
fords.
Grass, pasture,
with
peanut
hay in Winter.
Grass pasture,
with peanut
hay in winter.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2,059
2,426
3,059
3,184
2,559
2,805
* Breaking strengths were determined by using a 6-inch span with weight applied slowly in the
middle from above, except (a) a 5-inch span, and (b) a 7-inch span with Cow No. 59.
† One femur of Cow No. 195 not available.