effects of sodium bicarbonate as a top-dress on reducing lameness and improving the performance of holstein feedlot cattle

in order to study of effects of sodium bicarbonate on lameness occurrence and the performance of feedlot cattle, 100 holstein bull calves (251.75 ± 5.75) were used in a completely randomized design. calves were group fed a similar basal diet during 42 days experimental period. used treatments included 1) control treatment without feed additive, and 2) experimental diet that calves consumed 50 g/d sodium bicarbonate. results showed that the effect of experimental diet on dry matter intake (p<0.001), average weight gain through trial (p<0.03) and feed conversion ratio (p<0.02) was significant. a tendency was detected for average daily gain (p<0.07). compared with control group, occurrence of laminitis in experimental group was less (22% vs. 8%; odds ratio = 2.6). generally, results showed that feeding of sodium bicarbonate can have an efficient role in reducing lameness occurrence and increasing profitability in feedlot farms.