Response of Dairy Cows to Sodium Bicarbonate and Limestone in Early Lactation 1
J. A . R O G E R S 2 and L. D. M U L L E R
ABSTRACT
A total of 108 dairy cows at three
locations were fed a diet supplemented
with sodium bicarbonate and limestone
during the first 16 wk of lactation.
Complete mixed diets were fed for ad
libitum intake and consisted of con-
centrate and corn silage (60:40, dry
matter). The four treatments were: 1)
basal diet, 2) basal plus 1.2% sodium
bicarbonate, 3) basal plus 1.4% limestone,
and 4) basal plus 1.2% sodium bicarbonate
plus 1.4% limestone. Dry matter intake
was increased for 8 wk by sodium bi-
carbonate, then decreased from wk 9 to
16. Intake was decreased by limestone
alone or in combination with sodium
bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate in-
creased milk production for 8 wk and 4%
Received May 16, 1984.
1Authorized for publication as Paper No. 6924
in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural
Experiment Station.
2Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., Technical Serv-
ice and Development Division, P.O. Box 431, Kings-
port, TN 37662.
3Department of Veterinary Science, Cornel!
University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
1985 J Dairy Sci 68:646-660 646
Department of Dairy and Animal Science
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park 16802
C. L. D A V I S
Department of Dairy Science
University of Illinois
Urbana 61801
W. C H A L U P A and D . S . K R O N F E L D
Department of Veterinary Science
The University of Pennsylvania
Kennett Square 19348
L. F. K A R C H E R 3
Department of Dairy and Animal Science
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park 16802
K. R. C U M M I N G S
Church and Dwight Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 369
Piscataway, NJ 08854
fat-corrected milk for 16 wk. Average dry
matter intake, milk production, and 4%
fat-corrected milk (kg/day) for the 16 wk
were: 1) 20.2, 31.1, 27.3; 2) 19.8, 32.0,
28.7; 3) 18.9, 31.4, 27.9, and 4) 18.4,
29.7, 27.2 for diets 1 to 4. Ruminal pH
was decreased, and volatile fatty acid
concentration was increased by added
sodium bicarbonate and appeared to
result from increased feed intake. Di-
gestibility of nutrients was unaffected by
supplements. Sodium bicarbonate affected
regulation of blood and urine pH and
concentration of electrolytes more than
limestone. Serum magnesium was reduced
with sodium bicarbonate, although not
beyond normal physiological reference
range.
INTRODUCTION
Most research to establish effects of feeding
sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and other
buffers on performance of lactating dairy
cows (22) has considered the declining phase of
lactation. Feeding buffers immediately after
parturition increased feed intake and milk yield
in (13, 19). A multilocation study of complete
lactations comparing supplementation of 0, .4,
.8, and 1.6% NaHCO3 to a corn silage-based
 SODIUM BICARBONATE AND LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS
diet indicated that .8% sodium bicarbonate
improved milk yield, primarily during the first
third of lactation (5).
Sites and modes of actions of dietary buffers
are multiple and need further definition (6).
Sodium bicarbonate supplementation may
affect feed intake and milk production by
providing a more nearly optimal ruminal pH for
digestion of structural carbohydrates (14, 26).
In addition, increasing dilution rate of ruminal
fluid (25, 27) with NaHCO3 may affect overall
protein utilization (24). High limestone sup-
plementation to a high starch diet increased
overall starch digestion (26), but its exact site
or mode of action remains uncertain. Research
has not compared feeding of NaHCO3 and
limestone, singularly or in combination to dairy
cows in early lactation.
Our objective was to compare productive,
digestive, and metabolic responses of lactating
dairy cows to supplementary NaHCO3 or
limestone from 0 to 112 days of lactation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Animals
A total of 108 cows in early lactation were
in the trial at three locations. At Pennsylvania
State University (PSU) there were 36 cows: 20
Holsteins and 4 each of Brown Swiss, Ayrshire,
Guernsey, and Jersey. University of Pennsylvania
(PA) and University of Illinois (IL) had 34 and
38 Holsteins. All cows had prior 305-day
lactations. Cows were blocked in groups of four
according to age, projected date of calving (and
breed at PSU), then assigned randomly to four
treatments within blocks. Two cows were
dropped at PA and IL for health reasons
apparently unrelated to the experiment.
Diets
During the prepartum period, cows were fed
a ration of approximately 5 kg of orchardgrass-
legume hay, 4 kg of corn silage, and 2 kg of
grain (dry matter basis) adjusted for body
weight to assure adequate nutrition without
overconditioning (23). From calving to 112
days of lactation, each cow was fed for ad
libitum intake one of four diets either twice
daily at PSU and IL or once daily at PA.
The four diets were: 1) basal (60:40, con-
647
centrate:corn silage), 2) basal plus 1.2% sodium
bicarbonate, 3) basal plus 1.4% limestone,
and 4) basal plus 1.2% sodium bicarbonate and
1.4% limestone. The limestone (mean particle
size 2.5 ~l) was highly reactive (32).
Grain mixtures were based on ground shelled
corn and soybean meal fortified with mineral
and vitamin supplements (Table 1). Chemical
compositions of diets (means of 24 analyses
across locations) are in Table 2. All diets met or
exceeded recommendations (23) for required
nutrients except for acid detergent fiber (ADF).
The low content of A D F in the diet (14.1 to
14.5%) provided a good test for assessing
beneficial effects of NaHCO3 and limestone.
The amount of supplements were those thought
necessary to maximize the response in dairy
cows. Limestone-supplemented diets were higher
in calcium than recommended (23).
Feed, Milk, and Ruminal Samples and Analysis
Feeds were sampled weekly and composited
monthly for analysis of dry matter, crude
protein, ADF, minerals, pH, and starch. Analyses
were at PSU by official methods (1) except for
starch, which was determined enzymatically
(21, 30). Individual feed intake and refusals
were recorded daily and rations adjusted
weekly to ensure 10% refusal. Cows were
milked twice daily and yields summarized
weekly. Milk samples from four consecutive
milkings were composited and analyzed each
week for fat, protein, and somatic cell count.
These tests were by Dairy Herd Improvement
Association Central Milk Testing Laboratories
at PSU for samples from PSU and PA, and at
Dubuque, IA, for IL. Milk fat content and daily
yield were used to calculate 4%-fat corrected
milk (FCM). Body weights were measured
weekly.
Samples of ruminal fluid were taken via
stomach tubes from each cow approximately 4
h postfeeding at wk 1, 5, and 12 of lactation.
The pH was measured immediately by glass
electrode. The sample then was acidified to
approximately pH 3.0 b y addition of sulfuric or
phosphoric acids (50% vol/vol). After centri-
fugation (approximately 20,000 × g), the
supernatant was frozen until analyzed for
volatile fatty acids (VFA by gas liquid chro-
matography (15).
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985
648 ROGERS ET AL.

TABLE 1. Concentrate mixture ingredients.

Treatmentsl
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and
Ingredients diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone

(% of Dry matter)
Corn 69.7 67.2 64.8 64.3
Soybean meal 26.6 27.1 27.1 27.6
Defluorinated phosphate 2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Calcium sulfate 3 .5 .5 .5 .5
Trace mineral mix 4 .2 .2 .2 .2
Vitamin mix 4 .1 .1 .1 .1
Salt .6 .6 .6 .6
Limestone s .5 .5 .5 .5
Dynamate 6 .4 .4 .4 .4
Limestone7 0 0 2.4 2.4
Sodium bicarbonate s 0 2.0 0 2.0

~Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
2 Source: Borden (AMEX) 3118 Regular grind.
SSource: US Gypsum, 27.5% Ca, 22% S.
4 Source: Youngs, Inc., Roaring Springs, PA.
s Source: Thomasville, PA, feed grade limestone.
6 Source: International Mineral Co., Libertyville, IL.
7 Source: Calcium Carbonate Co., Quincy, IL (mean particle size 2.5# - designation by company "H-White").
s Source: Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Piscataway, NJ.
Digestion Measures
Digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein,
A D F , and starch were d e t e r m i n e d at wk 5 and
12 of lactation with 5 cows per t r e a t m e n t at IL
and 8 cows per t r e a t m e n t at PSU. Cows were
dosed with 10 g of c h r o m i u m o x i d e in gelatin
capsules twice daily for 10 days. Fecal grab
samples were collected twice daily during the
last 5 days at a p p r o x i m a t e l y 12-h intervals.
Feed and fecal samples f r o m each cow were
composited, dried at 60°C, ground in a Wiley
Mill, and analyzed for dry m a t t e r (1), crude
protein (1), A D F (16), starch (21, 30), and
c h r o m i u m oxide (2). Digestion coefficients
were calculated with reference to the c h r o m i u m
marker. Fecal grab samples also were taken at
wk 1, 5, and 12 for all cows for pH measure-
ments.
Blood and Urine Measurements
Blood and urine were sampled 4 to 5 h after
feeding during w k 1, 5, and 12. Coccygeal
vein blood was collected at IL. Serum was
separated and assayed for sodium, potas-
sium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, creatinine,
urea, glucose, chloesterol, bilirubin, total
protein, albumin, glutamic oxaloacetic trans-
aminase (GOT), glutamicpyruvic transaminase
(GPT) and alkaline phosphatase by an a u t o m a t e d
instrument (Hycel-17, Hycel Inc., H o u s t o n , T X
77036). Coccygeal vein b l o o d was sampled at
PSU. Heparinized blood samples in syringes
were stored anaerobically in ice and assayed
within 2 h for pH, pCO2, and pO2 (pH Blood
Gas Analyser, I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n L a b o r a t o r y Inc.,
Lexington, MA 02123). Packed cell v o l u m e was
d e t e r m i n e d by centrifugation in a capillary
tube. A 20-ml jugular sample was allowed to
clot, and serum was separated and frozen.
Serum was assayed for total protein, albumin,
glucose, phosphorus, and urea nitrogen by an
autoanalyser (Autoanalyser II, T e c h n i c o n Inc.,
Industrial Systems, T e r r y t o w n , NY 10591).
Calcium and magnesium were assayed by
atomic absorption ( A t o m i c A b s o r p t i o n Spec-

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

 SODIUM BICARBONATE A N D LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS 649

T A B L E 2. Chemical composition of complete m i x e d diets.1

Treatments 2
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Chemical Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and
analyses diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone

Dry matter (DM), % 55.3 55.0 56.0 58.0

pH 5.0 5.4 5.2 5.6
(% of Dry matter)
Crude protein 3 17.2 17.4 17.3 17.5
Acid detergent fiber 14.5 14.2 14.1 14.2
Starch 43.4 44.9 45.7 45.0
Ca .60 .63 1.10 1.09
P .51 .51 .52 .51
Mg .23 .23 .23 .23
K 1.17 1.15 1.27 1.28
S .24 .24 .24 .26
TDN a , % 80 79 79 78
ME, s Mcal/kg 3.11 3.07 3.07 3.02
NEI, ~ Mcal/kg 1.84 1.82 1.82 1.79

160:40, Concentrate: corn silage DM basis.

2Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of the total diet DM).
3Nitrogen × 6.25.
4Total digestible nutrients estimates based on Merkle Laboratory analysis at Pennsylvania State University.
SMetabolizable energy calculated as TDN (kg) = 4.409 Mcal digestible energy (DE) and ME (Mcal/kg DM) =
- . 4 5 + 1.01 DE (Mcal/kg DM). Reference (23).
6Net energy lactation calculated as NE 1 (Mcal/kg) = --.12 + .0245 TDN (% of DM). Reference (23).

trophotometer Model 303, Perkin-Elmer Inc., oratory Inc., Lexington, MA 02173). Chloride
Norwalk, CT 06856). Sodium and potassium was titrated (Chloride Titrator, Oxford Lab-
were assayed by flame photometry (Flame oratories, Foster City, CA 94404). Blood was
Photometer Model 443, Instrumentation Lab- s a m p l e d f r o m c o c c y g e a l a r t e r y at P A . T h e

TABLE 3. Statistical partitioning of tile degrees o f freedom for the main and subplot analysis.

Main plot Subplot

Source o f Source of
variation df variation df

Location 2 Time 15
Block (location) 25 Location × time 30
Treatment 3 T r e a t m e n t X time 45
T r e a t m e n t × location 6
Model 36 Modell 197
Error A 71 Error B 1529
Total 107 Total 1726

*Location, block, and t r e a t m e n t effects were absorbed in the general linear model s t a t e m e n t of SAS (24).

Journal o f Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

65O
23
Z2 o ~o~o--o--o
t ¢1 - l 1.2%SODIUM81CARflO~NATE~e
' ~ ' I ~ ' ; 8' ' ,'
WE~K IN LACTATION
Figure 1. Dry matter intake of dairy cows fed a
diet supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, limestone,
or both.
puncture was 15 to 25 cm from the base of the
tail, and the blood was identified as arterial by
its red color. Two heparinized 5-ml samples in
10-ml syringes were stored anaerobically in ice
water until assayed within 2 h for pH, pCO2,
pO2, and hemoglobin (Radiometer ABL-2, The
London Company, Cleveland, OH 44145). Two
additional lO-ml samples were taken for separa-
tion of serum. This was frozen, then assayed for
sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, mag-
nesium, creatinine, and glucose (Gemsac
Automated Analyser, Electronucleonics Inc.,
Fairfield, NJ 07006).
Midstream urine samples were tested im-
mediately for pH by glass electrode meter.
Sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magne-
sium, and creatinine were measured in urine
with automated instruments (Autoanalyser II,
Technicon Inc., Industrial Systems, Terry-
town, NY 10591, Gemsac Automated Analy;er,
Electronucleonics Inc., Fairfield, NJ 07006)
from samples obtained-at PSU and PA). Frac-
tional excretion (FE) percentage was calculated
for each electrolyte (E) by comparison with
creatinine (C) in urine (U) or serum (S):
% FE = 100 [(EU/ES)/(CU/CS)]
Statistical Design and Analysis
Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial
design. Observations were continuous with
repeated measures analyzed as a split plot in
time by the method of least squares in the
Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985
ROGERS ET AL.
general linear models procedure of the Statis-
o--c--{ tical Analysis System (28). The model had
location randomized and treatment effects
fixed, split plot with cows in the main plot, and
time as a component of the subplot. A typical
partition of the degrees of freedom for this
design is in Table 3. Many variables had highly
significant effects for time and interaction of
treatment × time. There was no significant
interaction of treatment x location for any
,', ,' ,' ,' ,' variable. For these reasons, data are averages for
all locations for wk 1 to 8 and 9 to 16 in
addition to overall means for wk 1 to 16.
Graphs were produced by the Proc Plot program
of SAS (28) that best fit the data for the model
in addition to linear, quadratic, and cubic
effects. These graphs are used to illustrate
effects of time and interactions of treatment x
time. Orthogonal contrasts defined for 2 x 2
factorial arrangement of treatments showed
significant interaction of sodium bicarbonate ×
limestone for many of the variables. Because
factors in the exlSerirnent were not independent,
comparisons with single degrees of freedom
(31) were used to determine simple treatment
effects relative to the control basal diet.
Milk production data were analyzed by
covariant adjustment for previous actual
305-day milk yield. Because of the strong cor-
relation between milk yield and fat content,
analyses for FCM also used previous 305-day
milk yield as covariant (4).
Data for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids,
nutrient digestion, fecal pH, blood, and urine
35
~3 -"fW"5 ° f ~t"-. O
~2
~3o
~29
ee
,,//
26
z5
~----I'~--:,!!!: LLSO~MIE!~dTTC:
~ . .B.N'. . .
z4
z~
22
21
zo
WEEK tN LACTATION
Figure 2. Least square mean milk production of
dairy cows fed a diet supplemented with sodium
bicarbonate, limestone, or both.
 SODIUM BICARBONATE AND LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS 65 1

m e a s u r e m e n t s were s u b m i t t e d t o analysis to c o n t r o l . Expressing DMI as a p e r c e n t o f

o f variance (31) w i t h m a i n e f f e c t s t r e a t m e n t , b o d y w e i g h t did n o t alter responses. The DMI
location, week, and t i m e in a split plot. was e n h a n c e d b y NaHCO3 s u p p l e m e n t a t i o n
early in lactation (0 to 8 wk), w h i c h agrees w i t h
RESULTS A N D DISCUSSION m o s t (5, 9, 13, 18, 19) b u t n o t all (12) r e p o r t s .

Feed Intake Milk Production

Mean daily intakes o f dry m a t t e r are in
Figure 1. I n t e r s e c t i o n s a m o n g t h e s e best-fitting
curves r e f l e c t significant i n t e r a c t i o n s o f treat-
m e n t X time. Dry m a t t e r intake (DMI) was
c o n s i s t e n t l y higher b y cows fed NaHCO3 alone
t h a n by c o w s fed c o n t r o l f r o m w k 1 to 8.
H o w e v e r , DMI were d i m i n i s h e d significantly for
c o w s fed l i m e s t o n e alone or with NaHCO3
(Table 4). C o w s fed t h e s u p p l e m e n t e d diets
r e d u c e d feed intake f r o m w k 9 to 16 c o m p a r e d
Least square m e a n s (LSM) for milk yield
(Figure 2, Table 4) are m o r e accurate repre-
s e n t a t i o n s o f t r e a t m e n t m e a n s as t h e y adjust
for missing data and covariantly adjust for
previous 305-day p r o d u c t i o n . The best-fitting
curves (Figure 2) s h o w t h a t r e s p o n s e to treat-
m e n t s varied w i t h time. O t h e r p o t e n t i a l co-
variants w e r e t e s t e d for i m p r o v e m e n t o f fit in
t h e mode[. Age and l a c t a t i o n n u m b e r w e r e
similar a m o n g t r e a t m e n t s (block criteria) and

TABLE 4. Dry matter intake and milk production of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with sodium bicarbonate,
limestone, or both.

Treatmentsl
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4%limestone SE effects

Dry matter intake, kg/day

Weeks 1-82 18.4 19.1 17.3 16.3 .4 1> 3 .08
1 > 4 .01
Weeks 9-16 21.9 20.6 20.5 20.6 .5 1> 2 .05
1 > 3 .04
1 > 4 .06
Weeks 1-163 20.2 19.8 18.9 18.4 .4 1> 3 .03
1> 4 .01
Milk production, kg/day
Weeks 1-8 31.5 33.0 31.1 28.9 .7 1> 4 .02
Weeks 9-16 31.6 31.6 30.8 29.6 .9 NS 4
Weeks 1-16 31.5 32.3 30.9 29.3 .6 NS
Least square mean milk
production, 5 kg/day
Weeks 1-8 31.1 32.7 31.5 29.3 .6 1< 2 .08
1> 4 .06
Weeks 9-16 31.1 31.3 31.3 30.1 .8 NS
Weeks 1-16 31.1 32.0 31.4 29.7 .6 NS

1Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
2 Interaction of sodium bicarbonate × limestone (P<.05).
3 Interaction of treatment × time (P<.001).
4 Nonsignificant.
SLeast square means were covariantly adjusted for previous 305-day milk production (6954, 6892, 6549,
and 6691 kg for Treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

65 2 ROGERS ET AL.

averaged 53 mo and 3.2 lactations. Neither of
these factors, nor mature equivalent milk
production, nor previous 112-day milk pro-
duction improved the statistical model or
changed interpretations.
Average daily milk production (LSM) was
consistently higher by cows fed NaHCO3
compared to control (32.7 vs. 31.1 kg/day).
This response was significant (P<.08) during wk
1 to 8 with a 1.6 kg/day higher milk production
per day by cows fed NaHCO3. This result
affirms (5, 9, 13, 18, 19). No increase of
production was observed in one study where
DMI was low relative to milk yield (12). Milk
production was unaffected by limestone
supplementation. The combination treatment
(NaHCO3 plus limestone) tended to produce
less milk than control (31.1 vs. 29.7 kg/day)
throughout the 16-wk trial, probably as a result
of decreased DMI.
Milk Composition
Daily fat yield and FCM were enhanced
significantly by NaHCO3 but not limestone
(Table 5). Responses of cows to NaHCO3
averaged 1.4 kg/day of FCM and 69 g/day of
fat above controls for 16 wk. These results
support previous conclusions that bicarbonate
enhances fat production by cows fed a high
energy ration (5, 7, 10, 11, 26). Milk protein
content and yield were reduced significantly
by limestone but not NaHCO3. High limestone
supplementation may alter nitrogen utilization
in lactating dairy cows (26) and, thus, account
partly for the effect on milk protein. Relatively
minor changes occurred in somatic cell counts
within treatments. Somatic cell count, however,
tended to be higher in cows fed diet 4, partic-
ularly during wk 9 to 16, indicating that
subclinical mastitis may have contributed to the
suppression of milk production on this treat-
ment.
Efficiency of Milk Production
Partial efficiency of lactation has been used
(20) to determine if an apparent increase of
gross (feed) efficiency (milk yield/DMI) can be
accounted for by losses of body weight. An
increase of partial efficiency should reflect
improved efficiency of nutrient utilization.
Cows receiving supplements in the first 16
wk of lactation consumed less feed (Table 4)
and produced similar quantities of milk (Table
4). An increase of feed efficiency would be

TABLE 5. Fat-corrected milk production and milk composition of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with
sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both. 1

Treatments, 2 Weeks 1-16

1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4%limestone SE effects P

4% Fat-corrected milk
production, 3 kg/day 27.3 28.7 27.9 27.2 .6 1< 2 .07
Milk fat, % 3.26 3.28 3.32 3.53 .08 1< 4 .02
Milk fat, g/day 996 1065 1005 1003 29 1< 2 .09
Milk protein, % 3.14 3.13 3.07 3.05 .03 1> 3 .10
1 > 4 .05
Milk protein, g/day 978 1003 933 881 20 1> 3 .12
1> 4 .01
Somatic cell count 466 424 395 693 99 1 <4 .13
(× 1,000 cells/ml)

xData represent least square means.

2Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
3Least square means were covariantly adjusted for previous 305-day milk production (6954, 6892, 6549,
and 6691 kg for Treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

 SODIUM BICARBONATEAND LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS 65 3

expected; however, cows fed the supplemented
diets lost more body weight than control cows
(Table 6). Data in Table 7 indicate only a trend
for improved partial efficiency with supple-
ments. Apparently, the improvement in feed
efficiency can be accounted for by losses of
body weight. Changes of body weight measured
over a short time, though, can be misleading.
The accuracy of calculating a value for partial
efficiency to assist interpretation of productive
performance remains unclear but does merit
further investigation. Other types of calculations
(8) also have been used to adjust for improve-
ment of feed efficiency that resulted from
mobilization of body tissue to support increased
milk production as opposed to improving
nutrient digestion.
Ruminal pH and Volatile Fatty Acids
Sodium bicarbonate treatment resulted in
the lowest ruminal pH (Table 8), contrary to
(13, 26). This treatment, however, resulted
in a higher feed intake and higher concentration
of total volatile fatty acids. These responses
would tend to lower ruminal pH. Limestone
was without effect on ruminal pH in accord
with its low solubility above pH 6.0 (29). A
significant (P<.01) response of time indicated
that ruminal pH increased with week of lacta-
tion. This result is not consistent with the
concomitant increase of food intake. An
explanation for the increase of ruminal pH is
not apparent; however, it may be related to an
increase of rate of salivary secretion or salivary
bicarbonate concentration.
The concentration of ruminal VFA was
significantly higher (P<.01) for the NaHC03
treatment (Table 8). This may be explained
by the higher DMI. Neither NaHCO3 nor
limestone supplementation alone had any effect
on molar proportion of ruminal acetate. How-
ever, molar proportion of acetate was increased
(P<.01) by the combined supplement, which
may relate to the lower DMI. Molar proportions
of propionate and butyrate were not affected
significantly by treatments (Table 8), however,
molar proportions of propionate increased

TABLE 6. Body weight changes in dairy cows fed diets supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or
both. 1

Treatments2
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone SE effects P

Initial body
weight, kg 596 590 603 600 10 NS3
Change in body
weight,4 kg/week
Weeks 1-8 -1.34 -3.49 -2.10 -2.87 .29 1< 2 .05
1< 3 .18
1 <4 .04
Weeks 9-16 +2.00 +.33 +1.21 +2.52 .41 1<2 .01
1< 3 .14
1 < 4 .O6
Weeks 1-16 +.54 -1.72 -.30 -.25 .34 1< 2 .01
1 < 3 .14
1 < 4 .05

Data represent least square means.

2Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
3Nonsignificant.
4Week effect (P<.01).

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

654 ROGERS ET AL.

TABLE 7. Partial efficiency of lactation in dairy cows fed diets supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, limestone,
or both. i

Treatments, 2 Weeks 1-16

1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone SE effects P

Intake of ME, 3
Mcal/day 62.7 60.6 57.8 55.3 2.6 1> 4 .08
ME above maintenance, 4
Mcal/day 46.8 44.9 41.8 39.5 2.7 1> 4 .10
Adjusted ME, s
Mcal/day 46.3 46.0 42.2 39.7 2.8 1> 4 .11
NE of milk, s
Mcal/day 20.7 22.1 20.8 20.3 .5 1< 2 .07
Partial efficiency, 7 % 46.1 48.1 50.2 52.9 4.4 NS 8

1Data represent least square means. Actual mean of each treatment used during the equations shown below.
2Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
3Calculated from metabolizable energy (ME) content of diet (Table 2) and dry matter intake (Table 4).
"ME above maintenance calculated as ME intake - ME requirements for maintenance. ME requirements
for maintenance calculated as 133 kcal ME/kg body weight "Ts (Ref 23).
SME above maintenance is adjusted for change in body weight, 6.0 Mcal/kg. Reference (20).
Net energy of milk = 304.8 + 114.4 F kcal/kg milk, where F is milk fat percent. Reference (23).
7NE of milk/adjusted ME × 100.
s Nonsignificant.

( P < . 0 1 ) a n d b u t y r a t e d e c r e a s e d as l a c t a t i o n A p p a r e n t digestibilities were high for all

progressed f r o m w k 1 to w k 12. T h e s e relative
changes of f e r m e n t a t i o n p r o d u c t s m a y i n d i c a t e
shifts of t h e r u m i n a l m i c r o b i a l p o p u l a t i o n of
their metabolic pathways.
Apparent Digestion Coefficients
D r y m a t t e r i n t a k e for cows in t h e digestion
trial is in T a b l e 9. A p p a r e n t digestibilities of
dry m a t t e r , p r o t e i n , and A D F were n o t altered
b y a d d e d buffers. R e d u c t i o n of a p p a r e n t c r u d e
protein digestibility b y l i m e s t o n e supple-
m e n t a t i o n was r e p o r t e d in a trial t h a t h a d
higher c o n t e n t s of starch a n d l i m e s t o n e (26)
t h a n o u r e x p e r i m e n t . A p p a r e n t digestibility of
A D F varied c o n s i d e r a b l y b e t w e e n cows re-
gardless of t r e a t m e n t s . This v a r i a t i o n m a y
reflect i n s t a b i l i t y of f e r m e n t a t i o n o f s t r u c t u r a l
c a r b o h y d r a t e s w h e n low f i b e r diets are fed at
high intakes.
t r e a t m e n t s but, h o w e v e r , . w e r e w i t h i n a p h y s -
iological range (14). A positive effect of lime-
s t o n e s u p p l e m e n t a t i o n o n s t a r c h digestion has
b e e n r e p o r t e d (26). This r e s p o n s e m a y d e p e n d
u p o n e x t r e m e l y high starch i n t a k e c o u p l e d w i t h
t h e feeding o f large a m o u n t s o f l i m e s t o n e w i t h
a high r e a c t i v i t y (26). T h e physical f o r m o f
feeds c o n t a i n i n g starch are also i m p o r t a n t
factors. Fecal pH was raised ( P < . 0 1 ) w i t h
l i m e s t o n e s u p p l e m e n t a t i o n ( T a b l e 9) b u t was
u n a f f e c t e d b y t i m e or l o c a t i o n .
Electrolytes and pH of Blood and Urine
T h e pH was lower, a n d b o t h pCO2 a n d
b i c a r b o n a t e ion were higher in coccygeal
v e n o u s b l o o d (PSU) t h a n in arterial b l o o d (PA).
E l e c t r o l y t e a n d c r e a t i n i n e c o n c e n t r a t i o n s show-
ed n o significant d i f f e r e n c e s b e t w e e n v e n o u s
a n d arterial b l o o d , so d a t a are p o o l e d in T a b l e

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

 SODIUM BICARBONATE AND LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS 65 5

TABLE 8. Rumen pH, volatile fatty acid concentration, and molar proportions in dairy cows fed diets supple-
mented with sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both. 1

Treatments 2
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4%limestone SE effects P

Rumen pH s
Week 1 6.45 6.35 6.37 6.46 .05 1> 2 .03
Week 5 6.66 6.44 6.62 6.55 .07 1> 2 .03
Week 12 6.72 6.57 6.52 6.55 .08 1> 2 .03
Rumen volatile
fatty acid
concentration, ~ mM
Week 1 81.9 I02.6 90.6 93.2 8.2 1 < 2 .01
Week 5 91.6 101.4 99.2 99.4 5.4 1< 2 .01
Week 12 92.4 93.7 95.8 101.0 6.7 NS s
Acetate, molar %
Week 1 56.3 54.7 56.7 59.8 .9 1 < 4 .01
Week 5 56.1 55.1 54.9 57.5 .7 1< 4 .05
Week 12 56.8 57.2 55.4 56.5 .6 NS
Propionate,S
molar %
Week 1 25.8 28.8 26.6 25.7 2.0 NS
Week 5 29.1 30.7 31.7 29.1 2.3 NS
Week 12 29.0 28.7 31.4 29.1 2.1 NS
Butyrate,a
molar %
Week 1 14.6 13.8 14.4 12.2 1.6 NS
Week 5 12.2 11.7 10.4 11.1 1.4 NS
Week 12 10.9 11.5 10.2 14.0 1.5 NS

1Data represent least square means.

2Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
aWeek effect (P<.01).
4Week effect (P<.05).
s Nonsignificant.

10. Blood pH and s e r u m s o d i u m c o n c e n t r a t i o n ables. T h e c o m b i n e d s u p p l e m e n t (diet 4)

were u n c h a n g e d b y t r e a t m e n t s . Also, n o
differences between treatments were found for
b l o o d p h o s p h o r u s , chloride, and creatinine.
S o d i u m b i c a r b o n a t e s u p p l e m e n t a t i o n in-
creased b l o o d pCO2 and HCO3 (Table 10). It
decreased p o t a s s i u m and m a g n e s i u m , the
latter alone and in c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h l i m e s t o n e .
A l t h o u g h t h e s e d i f f e r e n c e s were statistically
significant, t h e s e variables r e m a i n e d w i t h i n
n o r m a l r e f e r e n c e ranges. L i m e s t o n e supple-
m e n t a t i o n alone had no e f f e c t on b l o o d vari-
decreased s e r u m c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f calcium and
magnesium.
Urine pH and c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f s o d i u m and
creatinine in urine were increased by s o d i u m
b i c a r b o n a t e alone or in c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h
l i m e s t o n e (Table 10). The c r e a t i n i n e r e s p o n s e is
c o n s i s t e n t w i t h m o r e dilute urine o f c o w s fed
NaHCO3. Urinary c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f s o d i u m was
increased b y l i m e s t o n e alone. Magnesium
c o n c e n t r a t i o n in urine d e c r e a s e d b y l i m e s t o n e
alone or in c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h N a H C 0 3 . All

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

 Ox
TABLE 9. A p p a r e n t digestibility coefficients and fecal pH of dairy cows fed diets s u p p l e m e n t with sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both. l ox

Treatments 2
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone SE effects
<
O
Dry matter intake, s,4,s kg/day
Go Week 5 20,2 20.9 18.3 19.1 1.1 NS 6
Week 12 23.1 19.8 21.2 20.6 1.1 NS
Z
O
Digestibility (%)
Dry matter, 4
Week 5 67.6 68.2 67.6 68.5 1.5 NS
Week 12 69.9 70.9 70.8 72.7 1.2 NS
Crude protein, 4
Week 5 69.2 72.1 72.3 74.1 1.5 NS 0
Week 12 73.3 72.5 74.2 73.9 1.4 NS rn
Acid detergent fiber
Week 5 40.2 36.1 36.3 43.7 2.8 NS
Week 12 37.9 42.6 34.0 42.7 3.3 NS >
Starch 4
Week 5 93.3 89.9 92.9 91.9 1.0 1>2 .05
Week 12 94.1 91.8 95.3 95.1 1.1 1>2 .10
pH
Fecal
Week 1 6.05 5.89 6.20 6.17 .06 1<4 .01
Week 5 5.85 5.92 6.18 6.19 .11 1<4 .01
Week 12 5.79 5.91 6.10 6.17 .09 1<4 .01

Data represent least square means.

~Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry matter).
STotal of 13 cows per treatment.
4Week effect (P<.05).
s Interaction week X t r e a t m e n t (P<.08).
6 Nonsignificant.
 SODIUM BICARBONATE AND LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS 657

TABLE 10. Blood and urine acid-base, electrolytes, and creatinine of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with
sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both.

Treatment 1
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement n diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone SE effects P

Blood
pH
Arterial 99 7.451 7.456 7.451 7.457 .006 NS 1
Venous 110 7.421 7.425 7.428 7.420 .010 NS
pCO2
Arterial 99 37.7 39.2 36.8 37.0 .8 1 < 2 .07
Venous, m m t t g 110 43.3 41.1 42.4 45.3 1.6 NS
HCO 3
Arterial 99 25.9 27.4 25.3 25.9 .6 1 < 2 .10
Venous, mmol/liter 110 27.7 26.6 27.7 29.2 .7 NS
Na +, meq/liter 320 140.3 140.1 141.3 141.8 .7 NS
K +, meq/liter 321 4.8 4.5 4.6 4.8 .1 1 > 2 .05
Ca, mg/dl 321 8.6 8.7 8.7 8.4 .04 1 > 4 .02
Mg, mg/dl 212 2.39 2.27 2.28 2,17 .02 1 > 2 .08
1 > 4 .01
P, mg/dl 321 5.8 6.1 6.0 5.9 .1 NS
C1, meq/liter 321 103 102 103 103 .4 NS
Creatinine, mg/dl 297 1.02 1.00 1.05 1.00 .02 NS
Urine
pH 298 7.49 7.99 7.63 7.95 .07 1 < 2 .001
1 < 4 .001
Na +, meq/liter 201 37 100 59 137 8 1 < 2 .001
I < 3 .04
1 < 4 .001
K + meq/liter 208 171 168 164 140 9 1 > 4 .03
Ca, mg/dl 209 5.8 3.6 5.0 2.0 .9 1 > 4 .01
Mg, mg/dl 209 38 31 29 26 3 1 > 3 .01
1 > 4 .03
P, mg/dl 209 25 19 15 28 6 NS
CI, meq/liter 209 90 93 94 85 5 NS
Creatinine, mg/dl 209 135 115 121 106 8 1> 2 .11
1> 4 .02

1Treatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
2 Nonsignificant.
TABLE 11. Changes in blood electrolytes and creatinine
with weeks of lactation in cows fed diets supplemented
with sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both. i

blood electrolytes and creatinine changed Week of lactation

significantly with time (Table 11)but remained Measurement 1 5 12 P
within n o r m a l reference ranges.
Na +, meq/liter 142 139 141 .001
K +, meq/liter 4.4 4.8 4.9 .01
Excretion of Electrolytes Ca, mg/dl 8.5 8.7 8.8 .02
Mg, mg/dl 2.1 2.4 2.4 .001
Fractional excretion of sodium was increased C I - , meq/liter 103 101 103 .01
by supplementation with NaHCO3 alone or Creatinine, mg/dl 1.10 .96 1.00 .001
c o m b i n e d w i t h l i m e s t o n e ( T a b l e 12). F r a c t i o n a l
excretions of potassium and chloride were 1SE and N the same as in Table 10.

Journal o f Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

658 ROGERS ET A L .

T A B L E 12. Fractional excretions (%) of electrolytes of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with sodium bi-
carbonate, limestone, or both.

Treatments 1
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement n diet bicarbonate Limestone 1.4% limestone SE effects P

Na + 192 .22 .81 .40 1.15 .77 1 < 2 .001

1 < 4 .001
K+ 191 30 37 34 32 20 1 < 2 .11
Ca 192 .59 .43 .53 .20 .67 1 > 4 .01
Mg 192 12 13 12 11 10 NS 2
P 192 4.4 3.5 2.1 5.5 8.9 NS
C1-- 192 .65 .90 .76 .83 .57 1 < 2 .04

' T r e a t m e n t s consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (96 of total diet dry
matter).
2 Nonsignificant.

increased by NaHCO3 supplementation alone. also s u g g e s t t h a t little, if a n y , l i m e s t o n e is

Fractional excretion of calcium was depressed
by the combined supplement.
Results indicate that NaHCO3 was absorbed
and accommodated a d e q u a t e l y b y r e n a l re-
s p o n s e s so as t o r e g u l a t e b l o o d a c i d - b a s e
status and serum sodium concentration. They
absorbed. The tendency of NaHCO3 supple-
m e n t a t i o n to d e p r e s s s e r u m c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f
m a g n e s i u m h a s b e e n o b s e r v e d in l a c t a t i n g c o w s
(13). A more serious response of serum mag-
nesium to NaHCO3 h a s b e e n o b s e r v e d in
milk-fed calves (17). Emphasis has been placed

TABLE 13. Blood variables of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both.

Treatments 1
1 2 3 4
1.2% Sodium
Basal 1.2% Sodium 1.4% bicarbonate and Treatment
Measurement n diet bicarbonate limestone 1.4% limestone SE effects P

GOT, ~ #/liter 113 70 72 87 70 35 1 < 3 .06

GPT, 3 g/liter 113 30 31 37 33 10 1 < 3 .01
Bilirubin, mg/dl 112 .35 .31 .46 .42 .19 1 < 3 .04
Total protein, g/dl 113 7.5 7.5 7.1 7.5 .66 1 > 3 .03
Glucose, mg/dl 297 63.1 59.8 58.6 59.1 14.3 1 > 3 .03
Cholesterol, mg/dl 113 135 146 127 137 48 NS 4
Urea, mg/dl 204 15.8 16.1 15.7 15.6 5.1 NS
Albumin, g/dl 113 3.4 3.3 3.4 3.4 .3 NS
Packed cell
volume, % 109 28.4 28.4 27.8 29.4 4.0 NS

' T r e a t m e n t s consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
2 Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase.
3Glutamic pyruvic transaminase.
4 Nonsignificant.

Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68, No. 3, 1985

 SODIUM BICARBONATE AND LIMESTONE FOR DAIRY COWS
TABLE 14. Summary of health and reproductive status of dairy cows fed diets supplement with sodium bi-
carbonate, limestone, or both.
1 2
Basal 1.2% Sodium
Condition diet bicarbonate
Ketosis 0 0
Displaced abomasum 5 3
Respiratory 1 0
Hypocalcemia 4 1
aTreatments consisted of the basal diet plus sodium bicarbonate, limestone, or both (% of total diet dry
matter).
2Number of animals diagnosed by university veterinarian.
on sodium deficiency as a conditioning factor
in d e v e l o p m e n t of h y p o m a g n e s e m i a on pasture
(3). Our results draw further a t t e n t i o n to
possible adverse effects of excessive dietary
sodium or bicarbonate u p o n magnesium h o m e o -
stasis.
Metabolic Blood Profile
Blood profiles were unaltered by NaHCO3
supplementation, but five significant responses
occured to limestone feeding in the diet (Table
13). Serum GOT, GPT, and bilirubin were
increased, and globulin and glucose were
decreased with limestone supplementation.
However, all these data remained within normal
reference ranges. The direction of all five of the
statistically significant effects of limestone
s u p p l e m e n t a t i o n are consistent with impaired
f u n c t i o n of the liver. These results collectively
warrant further a t t e n t i o n to liver f u n c t i o n in
cows supplemented with high limestone.
Cow Health and Reproductive Status
A s u m m a r y of cow health and reproductive
data is in Table 14. Data are reported as n u m b e r
of cows with various health p r o b l e m s and
n u m b e r of total incidences per treatments.
Incidences of ketosis appeared to be higher for
cows fed N a H C 0 3 in c o m b i n a t i o n with lime-
stone and m a y be related to a lower feed intake
in early lactation. Incidences of off-feed were
higher for cows fed tbe basal diet. Kilmer et al.
659
Treatments i
3 4
1.2% Sodium
1.4% bicarbonate and
Limestone 1.4% limestone
Incidence 2
1 4
1 3
1 0
0 1
(19) r e p o r t e d higher incidence of off feed in
early lactation in control cows than in cows fed
NaHC03.
CONCLUSION
Results of this research confirm that N a H C 0 3
improves feed intake and milk yield in early
lactation (8 wk) w h e n cows are fed a high
energy, corn silage-based diet. T h e addition o f
1.4% limestone or 1.4% limestone plus 1.2%
N a H C 0 3 depressed feed intake in early lactation,
perhaps related to high calcium (1.10 v s . . 6 %
r e c o m m e n d e d b y National Research Council)
or the high total minerals. L i m e s t o n e depressed
milk protein percent, increased fecal pH, b u t
did n o t alter starch digestion. No major phys-
iological or health changes were n o t e d with the
high a m o u n t s of buffer, although several blood
m e t a b o l i t e s were lower with added limestone,
indicating a possible impaired liver function.
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