Physicochemical evaluations of diets, rumen fluid and feces of beef cattle
Researchers evaluated the physicochemical characteristics of diet and feces in combination with data of rumen fluid and blood lactate collected from two distinct feedlot systems in Brazil. The aim of the study was to understand the causes of and correlations to digestive disorders in these production systems.
The data were collected during two visits to a finishing system which fed about 80,000 head per year, and four visits to two properties that fed up to 180 straight bred Nellore bulls per year to be sold as stud cattle.
Researchers said the findings suggested that ruminal acidosis occurred when there was high intake of starch-rich concentrate, and that subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) most likely occurred in situations where more than four percent of dry fecal matter was excreted as particles larger than four mm. The latter were associated with diets having less than 15% of particles smaller than eight mm and fecal pH under 6.3.
In conclusion, the ancillary tests, such as ruminal and fecal pH, and particle size distribution in the feces, can potentially be used in combination with information on diet nutritional composition and a series of best practice management protocols to increase not only animal productivity but to reduce the risks of SARA and ensure the welfare of animals.
Pedro Malafaia, et al. “Physicochemical Evaluations of Diets, Rumen Fluid, Blood and Faeces of Beef Cattle under Two Different Feedlot Systems.” Animals (Basel). 2022 Nov 11;12(22):3114.
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