Effects of grain, fructose, and histidine on ruminal pH and fermentation products during an induced subacute acidosis protocol

Abstract

The effects of grain, fructose, and histidine on ruminal pH and fermentation products were studied in dairy cattle during an induced subacute acidosis protocol. Thirty Holstein heifers were randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups: (1) control (no grain); (2) grain [fed at a crushed triticale dry matter intake (DMI) of 1.2% of body weight (BW)]; (3) grain (0.8% of BW DMI). +. fructose (0.4% of BW DMI); (4) grain (1.2% of BW DMI). +. histidine (6. g/head); and (5) grain (0.8% of BW DMI). +. fructose (0.4% of BW DMI). +. histidine (6. g/head) in a partial factorial arrangement. Heifers were fed 1. kg of grain daily with ad libitum access to ryegrass silage and alfalfa hay for 10. d. Feed was w..