Effect of Nickel Supplementation on Production and Composition of Milk

Abstract

Three concentrations of nickel carbonate were fed to 3 groups of 5 lactating dairy cows each. Nickel carbonate was mixed in the concentrate ration at 0, 50 and 250ppm of elemental nickel and concentrate fed at a ratio of 1kg per 3kg of milk produced. Average daily consumption of supplemental nickel per cow was 0, 365 and l,835mg, respectively. No significant effect on milk production, milk composition, animal health or feed consumption was observed. Within the detectable limits of the analytical procedure, feeding nickel did not increase nickel in milk and never exceeded that in plant processed milk. None of the milk samples from cows fed 250ppm nickel contained as much as 0.1ppm nickel, which was the lower reliability limit of the procedure. Less than 0.12% of the supplemental nickel appeared in the milk.