Phosphate Feed

any one of several phosphorus-containing mineral supplements for farm animals.

The following phosphate feeds are produced in the USSR for stock raisers: (1) dicalcium phosphate, a feed dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, which, as specified by GOST (All-Union State Standard), contains not less than 16.6 percent Ca and 16.6 percent P; (2) tricalcium phosphate, which contains not less than 32 percent Ca and 14.4 percent P; (3) defluorinated phosphate feeds, which contain up to 35 percent Ca and 17 percent P; (4) bone meal, which contains not less than 28.6 percent Ca and 13.4 percent P, and bone ash, both used for phosphorus and calcium deficiency; and (5) diammonium phosphate, which contains 23 percent P and 20 percent N, and disodium phosphate, which contains 8.6 percent P and 13.1 percent Na, both used for phosphorus deficiency and calcium excess.

The quantity of phosphate feed added to the diet depends on the age, weight, and productivity of the animal. For example, the daily ration of feed dicalcium phosphate dihydrate for adult cattle is 50–200 g, and for calves, 20–100 g, while the daily ration of tricalcium phosphate is 50–175 g and 25–100 g, respectively. Phosphate feeds are given in a mixture containing concentrates, silage, beet pulp, and chopped root crops.