EFFECTS OF PHOSPHORUS AND CALCIUM ON FEED INTAKE AND YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF MILK OF HOLSTEIN COWS

Three concentrations of P (0.33, 0.43 and 0.54%) and two concentrations of Ca (0.60 and 0.97%) in ration dry matter were evaluated for effects on dry matter intake and on milk yield and composition using 24 Holstein cows. Cows were arranged in a $3{\times}2$ factorial experiment as an incomplete randomized block design with three 28-day periods. Each cow consumed at least one ration with each concentration of Ca. Dry matter intake, yield of 3.5% Fat Corrected Milk, and milk composition were not affected by concentration of P, but milk yield was greater when lowest concentration of P was fed (22.8 vs. 22.1 kg/day; p<0.07). Cows fed rations containing 0.60% Ca had greater milk (22.7 vs. 21.9 kg/day; p<0.02) and 3.5% Fat Corrected Milk yields (p<0.03) and slightly greater protein content than when fed 0.97% Ca. Dietary Ca:P ratios between 1.1:1 and 2.9:1 had no effect on dry matter intake, milk yield, or composition. Concentrations of P in plasma were within the normal range for all rations. Because cows had high dry matter intake, mean daily intakes of both P and Ca were greater than required for their level of milk yield.