Acidosis Feed Additives Trial

Acidosis in the rumen can be controlled by feed additives and according to Helen Golder, a PhD student at the University of Sydney, virginiamycin or a sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide blend could be suitable options.
calendar icon 11 June 2013
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Feed additives are a component of reducing acidosis risk in the dairy and beef industries. There are a number of feed additives commercially available that aim to modify the rumen and its bacteria by different methods.

In practice combinations of feed additives can be fed with the aim of producing complementary beneficial effects. We conducted a trial to evaluate the effects of feed additive(s) on clinical signs of acidosis, feed intake and rumen and blood measures during a nonlife threatening but substantial starch and fructose challenge.

Forty Holstein heifers (n = 8 heifers/group) were allocated to 1 of the following 5 feed additive groups: (1) control (no additives); (2) virginiamycin (VM); (3) monensin + tylosin (MT); (4) monensin + yeast (MY); and (5) sodium bicarbonate + magnesium oxide (BUF). The heifers were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) with a 62% forage and 38% concentrate content at 1.2% of bodyweight dry matter for 10 days plus their respective feed additive(s) at manufacturers’ recommendation.

Heifers being individually feed their treatment diets.

June 2013

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