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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Cell Wall Biology and Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #305758
Title: Feeding, evaluating, and controlling rumen function

Author
item LEAN, IAN - Sbscibus
item GOLDER, HELEN - University Of Sydney
item Hall, Mary Beth

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/16/2014
Publication Date: 11/3/2014
Citation: Lean, I.J., Golder, H.M., Hall, M. 2014. Feeding, evaluating, and controlling rumen function. In: Van Saun, R.J., editor. Veterinary Clinics: Food Animal Practice. Volume 30. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. p. 539-575.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Optimal rumen function is pivotal to health, production, and profit in dairy systems. Achieving that function requires an understanding of feeds and systems of nutritional evaluation. A key influence on optimal rumen function includes dry matter intake. The function of feeds in the rumen depends on other factors including chemical composition, rate of passage, degradation rate of the feed, availability of other substrates and co-factors, and individual animal variation. We discuss carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism in the rumen and provide practical means of evaluation of rations in the field. Conditions whereby rumen function is suboptimal (i.e., acidosis and bloat) are discussed, and methods for control are examined.