Effect of reactivity rate and particle size of magnesium oxide on magnesium availability, acid-base balance, mineral metabolism, and milking performance of dairy cows.

Four ruminally fistulated Holstein cows were arranged in a 4 x 4 Latin-square design. Treatments consisted of a control diet and three diets containing 4% MgO (DM basis) with increasing reactivity rates (A, B, C). Diets contained corn silage and concentrate at a 40:60 ratio (DM) and were fed at 95% of ad libitum intake. Total acid-consuming capacity and solubility of MgO in vitro paralleled particle size and agreed with the solubilities in the rumen. Milk fat percentage, but not milk yield, was increased by all three MgO diets. Ruminal pH was elevated by the MgO diets across all 8 h postfeeding. MgO, reactivity A diet tended to increase ruminal acetate, total VFA production, milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk fat percentage. Effect of time postfeeding on acetate and propionate production was significant; 2 to 6 h postfeeding was the period most responsive to the diets. No significant influence on blood acid-base balance was observed. On the basis of urinary excretion of Mg, MgO sources with smaller particles are more available to cattle. Both Ca and Cl metabolism appeared to be affected by reactivity rate of MgO.