Definition of the Ovine Potassium Requirement

Abstract

A trial to define the ovine potassium requirement was conducted using 48 group fed lambs. The levels of K studied ranged from 0.1 to 0.62% of the complete ration. It has been shown that the minimum K level for the growing-finishing lamb is near 0.30% K of the ration (0.34% of D.M.) and that the optimum level is 0.5% K of the ration (0.55% of D.M.). It has also been shown that the maintenance requirement for K in lambs is close to 65 mg. K/kg. body weight per day and that plasma-K below 12 mg./1OO ml. may indicate an inadequate intake of K. This may be further confirmed by hematocrit determinations and amount of K present on the surface of the skin.