Observations on Acidosis Through Continual Feed Intake and Ruminal pH Monitoring

Authors

Rob Cooper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rick Stock, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Cal Parrott, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN

Date of this Version

January 1998

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 1998, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

A system of continual data acquisition of feed intake and ruminal pH has been developed for studying subacute acidosis in finishing steers. Feed intake is monitored with feedbunks which are suspended from weigh cells. Ruminal pH is monitored with submersible pH electrodes suspended in the rumen. Numerous anecdotal observations of subacute acidosis have been made throughout the feeding periods of several steers, providing information unlikely to be recognized during a planned trial. Therefore, this model for studying subacute acidosis offers many unique opportunities for enhancing our understanding of the interactions between feed intake and acidosis.