Chapter 10.11
10.11 -Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) to Increase Dairy Cow Milk Production in Africa
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Gandhi,N. (2022) Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) to Increase Dairy Cow Milk Production in Africa, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org
Function of Sodium Bicarbonate and the Importance of Increasing Milk Production in Africa
Currently, the consumption of dairy milk in Africa is among the lowest in the world as a consequence of restricted access and affordability for a large portion of the population (Nyameasem et al., 2018). However, the demand for milk is expected to double within the next twenty years due to a rapidly growing African population (Nyameasem et al., 2018). The current reliance on foreign dairy milk imports is not sustainable for the future, as it’s contributed to expensive milk prices and has prevented local smallholder farmers in Africa from producing their own supply (Nyameasem et al., 2018). Using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) as a feed additive is a common strategy employed by dairy cow farmers to increase milk production and overall feed intake (Schneider et al., 1984). The addition of baking soda alters rumen digestibility and improves both fiber digestibility as well as the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine (Vicini et al., 1988). Additionally, baking soda is used as a buffer to regulate pH levels and prevent pH disorders like ruminal acidosis (Darwin and Blignaut, 2019). Heat stress susceptibility is a major concern for milk production across the world especially in Africa, as it severely impacts production by reducing milk yield and dry matter intake (Habimana et al., 2023). Rumen disorders associated with low pH like acidosis are more of a concern in cattle when they are fed a diet with excessive concentrate and grain levels (Habimana et al., 2023). The majority of smallholder farmers in Africa rely on a high fiber diet composed of inedible pasture and straw as the main feed source for dairy cattle (Nyameasem et al., 2018). Baking soda as an additive increases fiber digestibility, nutrient absorption, regulates pH and increases feed intake which provides African smallholder farmers a strategy for addressing major concerns that limit dairy cow milk production.
How Smallholder Farmers Can Adopt this Practice
Baking soda is typically added to dairy cattle diets at the onset of lactation until the dry period to increase milk yield, regulate rumen pH and improve feed intake (DePeters et al., 1985). Inclusion levels of baking soda varies based on management practices and production levels but is typically included at a range between 0.7-1.5% of the dry matter diet (DePeters et al., 1985). In terms of delivery, baking soda is commonly blended into the ration at an adequate level or may also be offered free choice to the cattle depending on the producer (Paton et al., 2006). Arm & Hammer, a popular producer for agriculture feed grade baking soda in North America, recommends an inclusion of 0.8 ounces of baking soda per 10 pounds of milk produced for a single cow on a daily basis which can be achieved by reaching an inclusion at a minimum of 0.75% of the Total Mixed Ration (TMR) (Arm & Hammer 2017). It’s important to acknowledge that traditional methods of using baking soda as an additive on large scale dairy farms in North America are not feasible for many smallholder farmers in Africa. As mentioned earlier, dairy cattle in Africa are most commonly fed on inedible pasture and straw high in fiber as opposed to concentrates associated with reducing pH (Nyameasem et al., 2018). This means that baking soda may not need to be included at the higher end of the inclusion recommendation, and African farmers can be more flexible with their inclusion levels. Ideally, producers should attempt to mix the baking soda into the ration at an adequate level but this may not be feasible for many local African farmers, as they don’t typically feed a TMR or concentrate (Nyameasem et al., 2018). This is why adopting a delivery method involving free access or even mixing in water may be more realistic for smallholder African farmers feeding their cattle mainly on inedible pasture or straw. Baking soda should be added into the diet at the onset of lactation and until the dry period to maximize production (DePeters et al., 1985).
Is it Realistic for Smallholder Farmers in Africa
Baking soda can be used for agriculture purposes as an additive in feed. Using baking soda as an additive is economically feasible for smallholder farmers in much of Africa, as it is relatively low cost and abundantly available (Sarwar and Shahzad, 2007). This is because baking soda is a commonly used product for baking throughout Africa and is available in many urban markets. However, the major issue with adopting this practice across Africa is the lack of transportation infrastructure which restricts constant and readily available access to baking soda with respect to some smallholder farmers (Nyameasem et al., 2018). The East Africa Dairy Development Project by Heifer International has been working with local farmers throughout Africa to develop sustainable networks and hubs to improve milk yield and also connect producers to local markets. This initiative should be further encouraged by local governments as well as future development projects. Local governments should promote local baking soda production, modeling successful companies like Kapa Oil Refineries located in Kenya which already produces baking soda on a large scale for household needs with the ability to export to multiple countries in Africa (Kapa Oils 2023). However, when using baking soda as a feed additive for dairy cattle, quantity must also be taken into account, since the amount needed is significantly greater than what an average person would use for baking purposes.
Africa is composed of many different nations with a unique language, economy and infrastructure which is why establishing a precise cost for baking soda is not practical even if it is already available in local markets. Companies like Bulk Body Care based in South Africa sell bulk quantities of up to 25 kg of baking soda for R665.00 (South African Rand) which equates to roughly $34.00 USD (Bulk Body Care 2024). Elsie Organics is based in Nigeria and sells 1 kg of baking soda for ₦2,500.00 (Nigerian Naira) which equates to $1.50 USD (Elsie Organics 2023). Even though use of baking soda for cooking purposes may be relatively affordable, for many smallholder farmers, purchasing baking soda may be an additional and unnecessary expense. However, this issue can be addressed by purchasing baking soda in bulk, as a baking soda inclusion level of 0.7% of total daily DM intake would allow a 25 kg bulk order to last a significant amount of time. It’s important to note that baking soda should be stored in a dry environment to prevent spoiling (Arm & Hammer 2017).
Baking soda inclusion as an additive to increase dairy cow milk production is a possibility for many smallholder farmers in Africa if they buy in bulk. However, establishing more local producers to develop agriculture feed grade baking soda would significantly reduce the price even more and allow for a more widespread adoption of baking soda as an additive to increase milk production in African dairy cows.
Critical Analysis
While there's no doubt that using baking soda as an additive would increase dairy cow milk production, it's crucial to recognize the challenges associated with adopting this management practice for smallholder farmers in Africa. The inclusion of baking soda as an additive is associated with a large increase in dry matter intake as well as water intake (Hadjipanayiotou, 1988). This may cause a large challenge for smallholder farmers, as many parts of Africa face severe water scarcity and poverty (Giordano et al., 2023). It’s crucial for African farmers to adopt water and resource efficient management practices to ensure dairy cow milk is being produced sustainably and realistically to match demand. Additionally, the benefits associated with baking soda inclusion are greatest in cows fed a high grain diet with concentrate (Musa et al., 2017). This highlights concerns for the effectiveness of this practice, as the majority of dairy cows in Africa are fed a high fiber diet consisting of inedible pastures and straws. Baking soda is most commonly delivered by adding it to a TMR which is likely not practical for the majority of smallholder dairy cow farmers in Africa, as they don’t rely on a mixed formulated diet. While offering baking soda through free choice, with respect to the cows, is the most practical, some studies claim that this method leads to highly variable intake between individual animals (Paton et al., 2006). Even though the addition of baking soda in the dairy cow diet is generally an economical and realistic method of improving milk production, on a national scale it may be more effective and efficient to select for better heat tolerant genetics using cross breeding to increase milk production all across Africa (Habimana et al., 2023).
Ultimately, using baking soda as an additive to increase dairy milk production is a realistic practice that should be encouraged and adopted by smallholder farmers in Africa. However, attention should also be placed on more effective and cross national solutions such as genetic selection and infrastructure development to improve local milk production to a sustainable level that can provide for the growing demand of Africa’s increasing population.
Practical Resources to Get Started
https://www.heifer.org/our-work/flagship-projects/east-africa-dairy-development-project.html Link to Heifer International’s East Africa Dairy Development Project for information on milk production and networks in Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXlHGvaQcII Video demonstrating the milk marketing process in Africa
https://ahfoodchain.com/-/media/spd/files/product-literature/dairy/sodium-bicarbonate/sds-info-sheets/sbc_infosheet_web2017.pdf Link to Arm & Hammer’s sodium bicarbonate information sheet which contains storage and inclusion details
https://elsieorganics.com/product/baking-soda-sodium-bicarbonate/ Link to purchase sodium bicarbonate from Elsie Organics located in Nigeria
https://bulkbodycare.co.za/bulk-sodium-bicarbonate/ Link to purchase sodium bicarbonate from Bulk Body Care located in South Africa
https://www.kapa-oil.com/ Link to Kapa Oil Refineries a local nigerian company selling food grade sodium bicarbonate
https://www.bicarz.com/en Additional information about sodium bicarbonate from Solvay which produces Bicarz an international feed grade sodium bicarbonate product
http://www.gpfeeds.co.uk/analysis/bicarb.htm Provides additional information about sodium bicarbonate related to inclusion levels, method of feeding and storage
References
1. Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition. (2017). Retrieved from https://ahfoodchain.com/-/media/spd/files/product-literature/dairy/sodium-bicarbonate/sds-info-sheets/sbc _infosheet_web2017.pdf.
2. “Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).” Elsie Organics - Formulation Ingredients Shop Nigeria, 29 June 2023, elsieorganics.com/product/baking-soda-sodium-bicarbonate/. Accessed 06 Apr. 2024.
3. “Buy Bulk Sodium Bicarbonate Wholesale Online.” Bulk Body Care, 3 Apr. 2024, bulkbodycare.co.za/bulk-sodium-bicarbonate/. Accessed 06 Apr. 2024.
4. “Chapa Mandashi - Kapa Oil Refineries Limited.” Kapa Oil Refineries Limited - Products, 25 May 2023, www.kapa-oil.com/our-brands/bakery-products/chapa-mandashi/#. Accessed 06 Apr. 2024.
5. Darwin., & Blignaut, D. (2019). Alkaline treatment for preventing acidosis in the rumen culture fermenting carbohydrates: An experimental study in vitro. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 6(1), 100-107.
6. DePeters, E.J., Fredeen, A.H., & Bath, D.L. (1985). Sodium bicarbonate in dairy rations. California Agriculture (Berkeley, Calif.), 39(3/4).
7. Giordano, V., Tuninetti, M., & Laio, F. (2023). Efficient agricultural practices in Africa reduce crop water footprint despite climate change, but rely on blue water resources. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(475), 1-12.
8. Habimana, V., Nguluma, A.S., Nziku, Z.C., Ekine-Dzivenu, C.C., Morota, G., Mrode. R., & Chenyambuga, S.W. (2023). Heat stress effects on milk yield traits and metabolites and mitigation strategies for dairy cattle breeds reared in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1121499
9. Hadjipanayiotou, M. (1988). Effect of sodium bicarbonate on milk yield and milk composition of goats and on rumen fermentation of kids. Small Ruminant Research, 1(1), 37-47
10. Musa, A.A., Neeraj., & Pandey, R. (2017). Effects of feeding sodium bicarbonate and multi-strain probiotics on milk yield and milk composition of lactating Holstein Frisian crossbred cows. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 6(6), 1912-1916.
11. Nyameasem, J.K., Reinsch, T., Und, C.M., & Taube, F. (2018). The potential of dairy production in Sub-Saharan Africa. University of Kiel. https://www.lfl.bayern.de/mam/cms07/ipz/dateien/aggf_2018_nyameasem_et_al.pdf
12. Paton, L.J., Beauchemin, K.A.,Veira, D.M., & von Keyserlingk, M.A.G. (2006). Use of sodium bicarbonate, offered free choice or blended into the ration, to reduce the risk of ruminal acidosis in cattle. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 86(3), 429-437.
13. Sarwar, M., & Shahzad, M.A. (2007). Influence of varying level of sodium bicarbonate on milk yield and its composition in early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes. Asian - Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 20(12).
14. Schneider, P.L., Beede, D.K., Wilcox, C.J., & Collier, R.J. (1984). Influence of Dietary Sodium and Potassium Bicarbonate and Total Potassium on Heat-Stressed Lactating Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 67(11), 2546-2553
15. Vicini, J.L., Cohick, W.S., Clark, J.H., McCutcheon, S.N., & Bauman, D.E. (1988). Effects of feed intake and sodium bicarbonate on milk production and concentrations of hormones and metabolites in plasma of cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 71(5), 1232-1238