Implant Growth Stimulants for Growing and Finishing Cattle.

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Observations on Acidosis Through Continual Feed Intake and Ruminal pH Monitoring

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

Observations on Acidosis Through Continual Feed Intake and Ruminal pH Monitoring

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

Effect of Rumensin and Feed Intake Variation on Ruminal pH

Six ruminally-fistulated steers were used to evaluate the effect of Rumensin and feed intake variation on ruminal pH. Steers were adapted to a 92.5 percent concentrate diet and then subjected to three levels of intake variation: ad libitum, intake variation of 2 lb/day, and intake variation of 4 lb/day. Feed intakes and ruminal pH were monitored continuously throughout the entire trial. Results indicate that Rumensin reduced acidosis by elevating average ruminal pH and decreasing are of ruminal pH below 5.6. In addition, Rumensin stabilized rate of intake and daily ruminal pH fluctuation at the high level of intake variation

Effects of Feed Intake Variation on Acidosis and Performance of Finishing Steers

Four metabolism and two finishing trials were conducted to determine the effects of imposed feed intake variation on acidosis and performance of finishing steers. In metabolism trials, intake variation of 3 lb DM/day increased acidosis of limit-fed steers as measured by ruminal pH. However, when steers were fed at ad libitum levels of intake, intake variation of up to 4 lb DM/day did not increase acidosis. In finishing trials, imposed intake variation of 4 lb DM/day neither decreased daily gain nor feed efficiency of steers fed at ad libitum levels of intake

Effects of Rumensin Level and Bunk Management Strategy on Finishing Steers

Eight ruminally fistulated, yearling steers (two concurrent 4x4 Latin squares) were used to evaluate dietary Rumensin level (0, 30, 30/40 or 40 g/t), and bunk management strategy (ad libitum or clean bunk: 24- or 14-hour feed access). Rumensin decreased meal size and increased meal frequency without compromising intake. Clean bunk management increased consumption rate, meal size and ruminal pH change and pH variance. Steers with limited feed exposure are at greater risk for subacute acidosis; Rumensin effects consumption favorably for controlling acidosis, especially for cattle with limited feed exposure

Effects of Rumensin Level During an Acidosis Challenge

Eighteen ruminally cannulated steers were used to determine effects of Rumensin level on incidence and severity of acidosis when an acidosis challenge was imposed. Steers received a high-concentrate finishing diet containing either 0, 30, or 45 grams/ton Rumensin. An acidosis challenge was created by feeding only 50% of diet intake one day followed by 175% of intake the next day, four hours post normal feeding time. Feeding Rumensin decreased feed intake during the prechallenge, challenge and acidosis recovery phase. Compared to 30 grams/ ton, feed intake was decreased by increasing Rumensin to 45 grams/ton during the five days following the acidosis challenge. Other feeding behavior and ruminal pH measurements were similar among treatments in all phases of this experiment. The imposed feed intake variation in this experiment did not create a significant acidosis challenge

Effects of Increasing Rumensin Level During a Potential Acidosis Challenge

Nine ruminally fistulated yearling steers were used in a 9 x 2 Incomplete Latin square to evaluate benefits of an increase in dietary Rumensin level during an imposed acidosis challenge. Feeding Rumensin, at either 30 or 45g/ ton reduced acidosis on the challenge day. However, increasing the dietary Rumensin concentration to 45g/ton was required to reduce acidosis for the five days following that challenge. Feeding 45g/ton reduced ruminal pH area below 5.6 when compared to the normal level of 30g/ton during the five days following the challenge