M. T. Mohler

Salt or Limestone to Control Corn Intake of Cattle on Pasture1,2

Summary Two summer pasture experiments were conducted with finishing yearling cattle to determine the effect of incorporating 5 or 10% salt or calcium carbonate, or 5% of each, with corn offered ad libitum during the pasture season. Five percent added salt depressed corn consumption 8.6 and 22% and 5% calcium carbonate depressed corn consumption 8%; 10% salt reduced corn consumption 29 and 24% and 10% calcium carbonate reduced corn consumption 16%; 5% each of salt and calcium carbonate decreased corn consumption 12%. Gains were not depressed consistently, indicating cattle which ate less corn due to its dilution with salt or calcium carbonate probably were consuming more herbage.