Ruminal Sulfide Levels in Corn Byproduct Diets with Varying Roughage Levels

Authors

Sarah Vanness, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nathan Meyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in 2009 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Lincoln, NE: December, 2008). Copyright © 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Ruminally fistulated steers with wireless pH probes were utilized to quantify ruminal pH plus hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels produced at different times post feeding and to determine the effect of roughage level in high byproducts diets on hydrogen sulfide production. Because of variation in H₂S levels, ruminal pH was not related to high H₂S levels. When treatment means were used, pH and H₂S levels were highly correlated. We observed lower H₂S levels in diets with 7.5% or 15% grass hay compared with no roughage.