The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the acidity and temperature of the contents of the reticulorumen and abomasum in the first 10 days after calving and to evaluate these factors as predictive traits for the diagnosis of subclinical acidosis.The acidity and temperature of the contents of the reticulorumen and abomasum were measured using specific smaXtec boluses manufactured for animal care. According to the directions of the manufacturer, the boluses were inserted into the reticulorumen of the cows researched with the help of a specific tool. The boluses were inserted into the abomasa by way of surgery, laparotomy and abomasotomy through the right flank. The readings of 7 cows were taken on a total of 10 days, twice a day (at 9 a.m. and at 9 p.m.). In total, 140 measurements were taken.The acidity of the reticulorumen is associated with the acidity of the abomasum. The acidity of the rumen increases, if the acidity of the reticulorumen increases also. A negative correlation was observed between the pH of the contents of the abomasum and this temperature. The increase in the acidity (decrease of pH) of the contents of the reticulorumen increases its temperature and also increases the temperature of the contents of the abomasum. There is a positive statistically significant dependence between the reticulorumen content temperature and the rectal temperature.Through measurement of the ruminoreticular temperature, it is possible to predict the health status of a cow's stomach in regard to acidosis.

The monitoring of rumen content temperature can be useful for the evaluation of cow health condition and heat. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the circadian rhythm (time of day) and season on reticulorumen acidity (pH) and temperatures (RT) in lactating dairy cows. The research was performed on ten 2 nd -lactation, clinically healthy Lithuanian Black and White fresh dairy cows (up to 1 day after calving). The cows were milked twice daily at 05:00 and 17:00. The cows were kept in a loose housing system, and were fed a feed ration throughout the year at the same time, balanced according to their physiological needs. Cow feeding took place every day at 06:00 and 18:00. The pH and temperature of the contents of cow reticulorumens were measured using specific smaXtec boluses manufactured for animal care. The temperature starts rising 6 hours after the evening feeding and milking, whereas 1 hour after the morning milking, it starts decreasing. The lowest temperature observed in the springtime was 38.81±0.001, and the highest was in autumn 39.17±0.001. The pH starts decreasing 3 hours after the morning feed, whereas 4 hours after the evening feed, it starts increasing. The lowest pH was observed in the summertime -5.99±0.001, and the highest was in autumn and springtime -6.18±0.001.In conclusion the reticulorumen temperature in lactating cows was found to be influenced by the circadian rhythm and season. The acidity of the reticulorumen content changes similar to the temperature. The pH of the reticulorumen contents was also found to be influenced by the circadian rhythm and season.

Whole crop maize in dough stage physiological maturity of grain (387 g kg-1 dry matter) was ensiled in big (1.2 m diameter × 1.2 m height) bales and in 3-litre mini silos with either viable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus buchneri or without any additives. Silos were opened after 120 days, silage was sampled and the nutrient composition, fermentation products and microbial colony counts were determined. Big bale and laboratory silage was exposed to air, and aerobic stability was determined. Significant variation was observed between inoculant treated and untreated big bales, and inoculant treated and untreated laboratory silage. Viable LAB caused reduction in acidity (pH) value, a decrease in dry matter (DM) loss, concentrations of butyrate, ammonia nitrogen (NH 3-N) and alcohols, and an increase in the concentrations of lactic and acetic acids in both big bale and laboratory silage. Inoculated silage had lower counts of yeasts and moulds after ensiling and after air exposure, which improved their aerobic stability relative to the untreated silage. The untreated silage had a relatively large proportion of visibly spoiled silage at the surface of the big bales. The similarities observed between the big bale and laboratory silage showed that small scale silage can serve as a model for big bale silage and can be used to test the efficacy of silage additives in laboratory conditions.

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The aim of the research was to investigate effects of monensin controlled-release capsules on production and metabolism in early lactation cows, with relation to the time of administration of monensin. The study was performed in 2014 (from 01/05/2014 to 01/10/2014) at a Lithuanian cattle farm having 500 dairy cows. Four experimental groups were applied as follows: 1) Group 1 (G1) control (no supplementation, n  =  20); 2)  Group  2 (G2) with supplementation of monensin (32.4 g monensin controlled-release capsule (MCRC), n = 20). Both groups were on 30th day before expected calving; 3) Group 3 (G3) control (no supplementation, n = 10); 4) Group 4 (G4) with supplementation of monensin (32.4 g monensin controlled-release capsule (MCRC), n = 10). Both groups were on day 1 post partum. Group 2 (G2) received MCRC 30 days before calving, Group 4 (G4) 1 day after calving. Experimental and control cows received the same diet and were exposed to the same environment and management conditions during the entire experimental protocol. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vessels: G1 and G2 cows from day –30 (before expected calving, prior to supplementation), each day, up to 30 days post partum; G3 and G4 from day 1 post partum, each day, up to 30 days post partum. Blood serum was tested for beta-hydroxybutyrates (BHB) and glucose concentration. The daily milk yield was measured electronically (DairyPlan C21, Westfalia Surge Inc., GEA). Milk was sampled once monthly. Samples were analyzed for contents of fat, protein, lactose, urea, and somatic cells count. The BHB concentration decreased more efficiently after the supplementation of MCRC after calving. After supplementation with monensin on the first day after calving, it has been identified that the BHB concentration in serum of experimental group (G4) cows statistically significantly decreased after 3 days (p < 0.05). During this period, the average BHB concentration of control group (G3) cows was 0.414 (±0.05) mmol/l, while the BHB concentration of experimental group (G4) cows was 0.27 (±0.03) mmol/l. Statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control groups were observed during the entire study (p < 0.05). After calving, cows supplemented with monensin showed statistically significant higher production of milk (p < 0.05) than the control group. Statistically significant differences in the blood glucose and BHB concentration, quantity of milk and production average between two experimental groups (G2 and G4) were not identified.