ANIMALS AND SALT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 June 1927, Page 6

ANIMALS AND SALT

The avidity of herbivorous animals for common salt is well established, but practical agriculturalists are of conflictmg opinions as to the advantage of introducing it into the ration, many favouring the free choice method of allowing free access to a lump of rocksalt. Tlie addition of salt to feedingstuffs does not increase the digestibility of the ration, but appears slightly to .lessen protein decomposition, salt lias a beneficial physiological action, increases the payability of many cattle foods, stimulates the. secretion of the digestive fluids, hastens the circulation of the body fluids, and hence prevents digestive disturbances, thus producing U n j, beneficial laxative state which so materialy .assists in keeping the digestive tract in a good condition. Excess of salt, however, must he avoided, as 't excessively increases Urn quantity of water excreted in the urine, I cnee impairing digestion and beennr ig i}, o means of initiating and creating intestinal irritation troubles.