Th is study evaluated the reliability of various blood parameters to assess the ruminal acidosis in cattle. Six whole heifers were fed three experimental rations in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Th e diets had diff erent starch levels: high (HS), medium (MS) or low (CT). Ruminal pH values were continuously measured using wireless sensors. To evaluate the severity of ruminal acidosis, the amount ...

This study evaluated 8 empirical models for their ability to accurately predict mean ruminal pH in beef cattle fed a wide range of diets. Models tested that use physically effective fiber (peNDF) as a dependent variable were Pitt et al. (1996, PIT), Mertens (1997, MER), Fox et al. (2004, FOX), Zebeli et al. (2006, ZB6), and Zebeli et al. (2008, ZB8), and those that use rumen VFA were Tamminga a...

Many feedlot finishing diets include wheat when the relative wheat prices are low. This study was conducted to examine the responses in ruminal pH and fermentation as well as site and extent of digestion from substituting soft or hard wheat for barley grain and to determine whether an elevated monensin concentration might decrease indicators of ruminal acidosis in feedlot heifers. Five ruminall...

For induction of ruminal acidosis, 10 clinically healthy three years old non pregnant female sheep were selected. Prior to the infusion of sucrose (0 hour), rumen and blood samples were obtained in order to determine baseline rumen and blood pH, respectively. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was also recorded. Acute ruminal acidosis was induced experimentally with sucrose at a dose of 18g kg-1 body weig...

Ruminal lactic acidosis is a condition that arises in ruminants due to the ingestion of excess quantities of easily digestible grains leading to diarrhea, anorexia and physiological derangements which can be fatal in severe cases. A clinical case of cow with history of rice flour ingestion showing signs of acute ruminal lactic acidosis was managed. The pH of ruminal fluid was 5.1. The number of...

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of diet on phosphorus (P) digestion in dairy cattle. The objective of the first study was to evaluate the effects of forage and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) content on total P (TP) and inositol phosphatesP (IPs-P) digestion. Samples of feed, duodenal digesta and feces from a previously conducted study were analyzed for TP and IPs-P. In this stu...

Twelve ruminally cannulated cattle, adapted to forage or grain diet with or without monensin, were used to investigate the effects of diet and monensin on concentration and duration of ruminal persistence and fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7. Cattle were ruminally inoculated with a strain of E. coli O157:H7 (10(10) CFU/animal) made resistant to nalidixic acid (Nal(r)). Ruminal and fecal sample...

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of NaHCO3 and trona in beef cattle diets. Trace element (n = 28) analysis revealed no toxicological or safety concerns with the use of trona. Trona was more (P less than .05) soluble in ruminal fluid than Na2CO3, and NaHCO3 and had greater (P less than .05) buffering capacity (9.6 meq/g) than NaHCO3 (6.1 meq/g) but less (P less than .05) than ...

Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on nitrogen (N) balance, ruminal N metabolism and site and extent of nutrient digestion in sheep fed 75% concentrate diets. A 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed in both trials with experimental diets balanced for 10.5 or 12.0% crude protein and containing 0 or 3.5% NaHCO3. In experiment 1, 12 ...

Four ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the effect of feeding linted, delinted and extruded linted whole cottonseed (WCS) on nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation. Result showed that crude protein digestibility was lower in linted and delinted WCS treatments than control and extruded linted WCS treatment. Cows fed extruded delinted...