Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. Signature was redacted for privacy. il TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION REVIEW OF LITERATURE Relationship of Foam to the Etiology of Bloat. . Foam formation Physical properties of foam Relationship of Changes in Ruminai and Plant Constituents to the Etiology of Bloat Minerals 20 Nitrogen 24 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES. Field Trials Foliar application of minerals 27 Drenching with various compounds-30 Chelate feeding 31 Laboratory Methods and Miscellaneous Procedures. Determination of calcium and magnesium in ruminai fluid and plant material Determination of ammonia and salt in ruminai fluid 33 Measurement of mineral availability in vitro 35 Statistical methods 35 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Field Trials 37 Effect of foliar application of calcium and magnesium upon bloat severity Effect of drenching with calcium, magnesium and various chelates upon bloat severity. 39 Effect of feeding ethylenediamine dl(O-hydroxyphenylacetate) upon bloat severity and lamb performance 49 ill Page Effects of Various Treatments upon Ruminai Calcium, Magnesium, Ammonia and Total Salts.. 53 Effect of drench treatment upon ruminai calcium, magnesium, ammonia and total salts 53 Effect of the source of feed and drench treatment on the diurnal changes of certain ruminai constituents 58 Effect of Forage Composition upon Bloat Severity. 72 Preliminary In Vitro Measurements of the Availability of Certain Alfalfa Constituents. .