DCAD Calculator (Dairy Cattle)

DCAD Calculator (Dairy Cattle)Bovine

Calculate Dietary Cation-Anion Difference (DCAD) for dairy cattle transition diets. DCAD (mEq/kg DM) = (Na + K) - (Cl + S) where mineral concentrations are converted from percent of dry matter to milliequivalents per kilogram. A negative DCAD in close-up dry cow diets (-50 to -150 mEq/kg DM) helps prevent hypocalcemia (milk fever) at calving by promoting metabolic acidosis and mobilizing calcium reserves. Used for pre-fresh transition cow ration formulation, milk fever prevention, periparturient disease management, anionic salt supplementation planning, and monitoring urine pH response (target 6.0-6.5). Common queries: DCAD calculation, anionic diet for dry cows, prevent milk fever, transition cow nutrition, cation-anion balance, close-up dry cow diet.