EFFECT OF DIETARY-SODIUM BICARBONATE AND POTASSIUM-CHLORIDE ON GROWTH-RATE OF WEANED DAIRY CALVES

In order to evaluate the effect of dietary sodium bicarbonate and pota ssium chloride on the growth rate of artificially reared dairy calves, from 60 to 120 days of age, twenty four Friesian calves were assigned to a totally randomized design, divided into three treatments of eigh t animals each: T1 (Control), T2 (1.5% of NaHCO3, DM basis) and T3 (1. 5% of NaHCO3 plus 0.13% of KCl, DM basis). Basic ration was a compound of concentrate (75%) and alfalfa pellets (25%). The experimental peri od was divided into four periods of fourteen days (56 days). Water was available on free choice. Body weight was registered at the beginning of the experimental period and every fourteen days thereafter. Averag e age was 70 +/- 1 day for T1, T2 and T3. Initial body weight was diff erent (p < 0.05) being 78.6, 88.0 and 83.3 kg for T1, T2 and T3, respe ctively. Average adjusted daily gain was of 0.83, 0.91 and 0.93 kg for T1, T2 and T3, respectively, but statistical analysis showed that the re were no significant differences (p > 0.05). It is concluded that so dium bicarbonate and potassium chloride did not increase the dry matte r intake but did improve the weight gain. At the end of the experiment al period, the treated groups presented higher body weight than the co ntrol group but the differences were not significant.