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Definition of Acidosis in Dairy Herds Predominantly Fed on Pasture and Concentrates

This cross-sectional survey examined the prevalence of ruminal acidosis and the effects of acidosis on the production of dairy cattle. Eight fresh cows, 3 primiparous and 5 multiparous (=3 of the 8 cows in category 1 were classified as acidotic. Herds with >=3 of the 8 cows in category 2 were cla...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dairy science 2008, Vol.91 (1), p.308-321
Main Authors: Bramley, E, Lean, I.J, Fulkerson, W.J, Stevenson, M.A, Rabiee, A.R, Costa, N.D
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This cross-sectional survey examined the prevalence of ruminal acidosis and the effects of acidosis on the production of dairy cattle. Eight fresh cows, 3 primiparous and 5 multiparous (=3 of the 8 cows in category 1 were classified as acidotic. Herds with >=3 of the 8 cows in category 2 were classified as having suboptimal rumen function, and herds with >=3 of the 8 cows in category 3 were classified as normal. Herds that had 3 or more of the 8 cows in category 1 (acidotic herds) had diets with higher energy and nonfiber carbohydrate contents and a lower neutral detergent fiber content than herds with a high prevalence of category 2 or 3 cows. The lack of significance of a herd effect in the statistical models developed suggests that the categories were robust across production systems, in which diets varied from all pasture to total mixed rations. A point prevalence of 10% (95% credible interval, 8 to 12%) of cows with an acidotic profile indicates a high risk for acidosis in the cattle sampled. The higher nonfiber carbohydrate and lower neutral detergent fiber contents of diets for herds with a high prevalence of category 1 cows (acidotic herds) indic
ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.2006-601