Balancing diets for physically effective fibre and ruminally degradable starch: A key to lower the risk of sub-acute rumen acidosis and improve productivity of dairy cattle

Zebeli, Qendrim; Mansmann, Dominik; Steingaß, H.; Ametaj, Burim N.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2009.09.003

Cited by 89 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Several lines of evidence indicate that for the same forage PS in the diet, the physiological responses obtained are different when these diets are based on barley v. corn (Allen, 1997;Beauchemin and Rode, 1997;Lechartier and Peyraud, 2010). Compared with corn, barley grain is a cereal characterized by a more rapid fermentation in the rumen (Offner et al, 2003), and this increases the requirements for long forage PS in the diet to prevent rumen disorders (Mertens, 1997;Zebeli et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grain source and marginal changes in forage particle size modulate digestive processes and nutrient intake of dairy cows

Nasrollahi

Khorvash

Ghorbani

et al. 2012

Animal

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This study investigated the effects of, and interactions between, dietary grain source and marginal changes in alfalfa hay (AH) particle size (PS) on digestive processes of dairy cows. A total of eight Holstein dairy cows (175 days in milk) were allocated in a replicated 4 3 4 Latin square design with four 21-day periods. The experiment was a 2 3 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of theoretical PS of AH (fine 5 15 mm or long 5 30 mm) each combined with two different sources of cereal grains (barley grain alone or barley plus corn grain in a 50 : 50 ratio). Results showed that cows consuming diets supplemented with corn had greater dry matter and nutrient intakes (P , 0.01), independent of forage PS. In addition, the apparent digestibility of fiber fractions was greater for diets supplemented with corn (P 5 0.01). The feeding of barley grain-based diets was associated with greater apparent digestibility of non-fiber carbohydrates, and this variable was even greater when long AH was fed (P 5 0.04). Moreover, the feeding of long AH resulted in longer time spent eating (P 5 0.03) and higher pH (P , 0.01), as well as a tendency for higher acetate-to-propionate ratio in the rumen fluid (P 5 0.06) at 3 h post feeding. In conclusion, the results indicated that the marginal increase of PS of AH may prolong eating time and improve rumen fermentation, particularly in diets based on barley grain. Partial substitution of barley grain by corn can improve feed intake and fiber digestibility in mid-lactation dairy cows.Keywords: physically effective NDF, hay particle size, barley, corn ImplicationsThis study tested the hypothesis that grain fermentability and particle size (PS) of alfalfa hay have the potential to modify rumen conditions, digestion and performance of mid-lactation dairy cows. Indeed, the results showed an improved rumen environment and nutrient digestibility in cows fed a diet containing corn grain and long forage PS, respectively.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grain source and marginal changes in forage particle size modulate digestive processes and nutrient intake of dairy cows

Nasrollahi

Khorvash

Ghorbani

et al. 2012

Animal

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“…Physically effective fiber refers to fiber in the diet that is effective in promoting chewing and rumen buffering (Zebeli et al, 2010). Saliva production is stimulated by peNDF, which serves as a buffer to neutralize acidic rumen conditions and plays a key role in maintaining rumen motility (Plaizier et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Saliva production is stimulated by peNDF, which serves as a buffer to neutralize acidic rumen conditions and plays a key role in maintaining rumen motility (Plaizier et al, 2008). Providing high-producing dairy cows with adequate amounts of physical fiber is critical in maintaining proper rumen functions, decreasing the risk of metabolic disorders and avoiding suppression of fiber digestion, feed intake and milk production (Zebeli et al, 2010). A study done by Pitt et al (1996) showed that ruminal pH was improved by increasing peNDF, although an upper limit of 30% DM inclusion rate, creates a plateau at pH 6.2.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pH depression observed when cows were transitioned to the HG diet in this study was a result of the decrease in peNDF and increase in the fine particle fraction with its high concentration of starch, which was very rapidly and extensively degraded in the rumen. When high rates of fermentable carbohydrate are included in the diet, rate of passage increases, saliva production decreases and consequently ruminal pH will decrease (Zebeli et al, 2010). Ruminal pH is a critical factor in the normal and stable functioning of the rumen because of its profound effect on microbial populations, rumen fermentation products and on physiological functions of the rumen (Zebeli et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When high rates of fermentable carbohydrate are included in the diet, rate of passage increases, saliva production decreases and consequently ruminal pH will decrease (Zebeli et al, 2010). Ruminal pH is a critical factor in the normal and stable functioning of the rumen because of its profound effect on microbial populations, rumen fermentation products and on physiological functions of the rumen (Zebeli et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do Cows Under Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) Attempt to Self-Medicate?

Hendriksen¹,

AlZahal²,

Wright³

et al. 2015

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

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Abstract:The objective of this study was to examine feed-sorting behavior of dairy cows in response to a grain challenge that leads to Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA). Sixteen multiparous, rumen-cannulated lactating Holstein cows were used. During the first 49 days of the experiment, all cows received a High-Forage diet (HF; 77:23, F: C; NFC=35). Cows were then transitioned to a High-Grain (HG; 50:50, F: C; NFC=48) diet on days 50 and 51 and remained on the HG until day 72. Feed intake was recorded daily. Particle size distribution of feed and orts were analyzed using the Penn State Particle Separator (PSPS) on days 36 (HF) and 71 (HG). The extent of feed-sorting was evaluated by calculating sorting indices for each PSPS dietary fraction for each given diet. A sorting index of a given fraction of the PSPS was calculated as the actual DMI expressed as a percentage of the predicted DMI of that fraction. Ruminal pH was recorded continuously every minute using an indwelling system on days 36 (HF), 50, 51 (onset of SARA) and day 71 (chronic SARA). Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed of SAS with day as a fixed effect and accounting for repeated measurement. Orthogonal contrasts were utilized to compare days. Ruminal pH on day 36 (16±46 min/d <5.6) indicated healthy rumen conditions. Ruminal pH recorded on days 51 and 71 (551±46 min/d <5.6 and 246±46 min/d <5.6, respectively) indicated an established SARA. Sorting assessment on day 36 showed that cows while on HF diet sorted against large particles (>19 mm, p<0.05) and concurrently sorted for the short and fine particles (<8 mm, p<0.05). Under SARA (HG), the cows showed an altered preference by sorting for (p<0.05) long particles and against (p<0.05) the short and fine particles. The results suggested that cows undergoing SARA may alter their feed-sorting behavior, likely in an attempt to self-medicate their condition, by selecting long particles and avoiding short and fine particles.

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A novel ammoniation treatment of barley as a strategy to optimize rumen pH, feed degradability and microbial protein synthesis in sheep

et al. 2021

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BACKGROUND: Meeting the energy and nitrogen (N) requirements of high-performing ruminants at the same time as avoiding digestive disturbances (i.e. rumen acidosis) is a key priority in ruminant nutrition. The present study evaluated the effect of a cereal ammoniation treatment, in which barley grains are combined with urea and enzymes that catalyze the conversion of urea to ammonia to optimize rumen function. Twelve rumen cannulated sheep were randomly divided into two groups and fed a diet containing 60% of ammoniated barley (AMM) or untreated barley supplemented with urea (CTL) to investigate the impact on rumen fermentation and feed utilization. RESULTS: AMM had higher total N content and effective rumen degradable N than untreated barely. AMM sheep had a consistently higher rumen pH throughout the day (6.31 versus 6.03) and tended to have a lower post-prandial ammonia peak and higher acetate molar proportion (+5.1%) than CTL sheep. The rumen environment in AMM sheep favored the colonization and utilization of agro-industrial by-products (i.e. orange pulp) by the rumen microbes leading to a higher feed degradability. AMM sheep also had higher total tract apparent N digestibility (+21.7%) and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (+34%), suggesting a higher N uptake and microbial protein synthesis than CTL sheep. CONCLUSION:The inclusion of AMM in the diet of ruminants represents a valid strategy for maintaining rumen pH within a physiological range and improving N utilization by the rumen microbes, which could have positive effects on the health and productivity of animals in intensive production systems. These findings warrant further studies under conventional farm conditions.

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Balancing diets for physically effective fibre and ruminally degradable starch: A key to lower the risk of sub-acute rumen acidosis and improve productivity of dairy cattle

Cited by 89 publications

References 47 publications

Grain source and marginal changes in forage particle size modulate digestive processes and nutrient intake of dairy cows

Grain source and marginal changes in forage particle size modulate digestive processes and nutrient intake of dairy cows

Do Cows Under Subacute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) Attempt to Self-Medicate?

A novel ammoniation treatment of barley as a strategy to optimize rumen pH, feed degradability and microbial protein synthesis in sheep

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