Journal article

Effects of feed additives on rumen and blood profiles during a starch and fructose challenge

HM Golder, P Celi, AR Rabiee, IJ Lean

Journal of Dairy Science | ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC | Published : 2014

Abstract

We evaluated the effect of feed additives on the risk of ruminal acidosis in Holstein heifers (n = 40) fed starch and fructose in a challenge study. Heifers were randomly allocated to feed additive groups (n = 8 heifers/group): (1) control (no additives); (2) virginiamycin (VM); (3) monensin + tylosin (MT); (4) monensin + live yeast (MLY); and (5) sodium bicarbonate + magnesium oxide (BUF). Heifers were fed 2.5% of body weight (BW) dry matter intake (DMI) per day of a total mixed ration (62:38 forage:concentrate) and feed additives for a 20-d adaptation period. Fructose (0.1% of BW/d) was included for the last 10. d of the adaptation period. On d 21, heifers were fed to target a DMI of 1.0% ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

This study was supported by SBScibus (Camden, NSW, Australia), The University of Sydney (Camden, NSW, Australia), Dairy Australia (Southbank, VIC, Australia), Elanco Animal Health (West Ryde, Australia), and Lallemand Animal Nutrition (Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia). The authors thank Phibro Animal Health Pty. Ltd. (Girraween, NSW, Australia) and Weston Milling (Enfield, NSW, Australia) for donating products. The authors also thank The University of Sydney Poultry Unit for use of the cold pellet press, and staff at SBS cibus, The Dairy Science Group (The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia), Craigend (The Oaks, NSW, Australia), A. D. Pastoral (Mt. Hunter, NSW, Australia), and Vielun Park (Cobbitty, NSW, Australia) for their technical assistance and P. Thomson (The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia) for statistical advice. The authors acknowledge D. Balzer, H. Thurlow (SBScibus, Camden, NSW, Australia), H. Irvine, J. Schuler, S. Razak (The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW, Australia), C. Johnston, A. Lean, A. Robins, and B. Tett (Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia) for their laboratory and farm assistance.