Calcium for Cows

[Guest guest]

Here's some more information for our discussion on sources of calcium for cows.

 

Although reference is made to liming soils, keep in mind that that applies only

to acid soils. Alkaline soils already have high calcium content.

 

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ADVANTAGES FROM LIMING ACID SOILS

 

* Lowers toxic levels of aluminum and manganese.

 

*Increases some microbial activity-decomposition.

 

*Overcomes potential for calcium or manganese deficiencies.

 

*Increases symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes. [such as alfalfa]

 

*Increases availability of phosphorus and molybdenum.

 

from *Hands On Agronomy* by Neal Kinsey & Charles Waters

 

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[for Plants:] Calcium is often called the prince of nutrients because the soil

colloid has to have a great saturation for plan uptake. Yet it accounts for no

more that 4% of plant tissue at the upper range of laboratory expression, .1%

at the lower range. Calcium is used by nature to make matarial called calcium

pectate, a sturdy building material component of cell walls...Missing calcium

means stunted roots and stress symptoms on newer leaves. Discoloration and

distortion of growth are common symptoms.

 

[for Animal feed:] Calcium is the prince of nutrients in the soil. It should

occupy .48% of to total dry matter. It happens also to be basic in animal

ration. Too much increases the need for phosphorus, vitamin D-2 and zinc. It

decreases the availability of protein, phosphorus, iodine, iron, manganese and

zinc. A deficiency, on the other hand, impairs bone growth. It increases the

need for vitamin D-2. In the feedlot or on the pasture, the calcium deficient

animal will appear listless, often exhibiting an arched back and a depraved

appetite.

 

from "Eco-Farm: An Acres USA Primer" by Charles Walters & C.J. Fenzau

 

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Of all feeds, alfalfa has the highest percentage of calcium at 1.5%. Good hay

which includes 30% legumes (such as alfalfa) contains 1.0 % calcium. Good

timothy grass contains .35% calcium. Linseed oil meal contains .40% calcium.

Corn stover contains .48% calcium. Mixed grasses in pasture contain .60%

calcium.

 

figures are from Feed Analysis Table in *The Family Cow* by Dirk van Loon

 

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Standard quantitites of corn silage, timothy hay, and a balanced corn belt

grain ration for the maintenance of a 1,000 pound cow provide more calcium than

is secreted in 80 pounds of milk and at least three times as much phosphorus.

Ten pounds of alfalfa alone supply as much calcium as is found in 100 pounds of

milk.

 

from *Physiology of Lactation* Fifth Edition, by Vearl R. Smith

 

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Of course a certain amount of Calcium is excreted, which is why cow manure

contains about .3% Calcium.

 

In my reading, it looks like Calcium is a cornerstone of agronomy. There were

about 30 references in the index of the Neal Kinsey agronomy book. I couldn't

even read them all.

 

ys

hkdd