J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1967. 26:1195-1198.
© 1967 American Society of Animal Science
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Acidosis in Beef Steers

B. A. Uhart and F. D. Carroll1

University of California, Davis,2

Abstract

Eight range-reared steer calves, averaging 190 kg. in weight, were changed from alfalfa hay to a ration containing 90% grain with no adaptation period and no limit on consumption. The steers had never eaten grain before the start of the experiment.

All steers, with one exception, went "off-feed" within 2 to 3 days after they began to eat the high-grain ration. Lactic acid concentration and acidity in the rumen increased, while VFA decreased. Blood pH and pCO2 values decreased, but not significantly. Urine acidity increased. Besides anorexia, these changes were accompanied by diarrhea and lethargy. Within 2 to 6 days, steers resumed eating, and were still eating 5 days later when the experiment ended. The steers became adapted to the high-grain ration as evidenced by normal values for rumen, blood and urine pH, blood pCO2, and ruminal lactic acid and VFA concentrations. Also, the decreased ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid was consistent with adaptation to a high-grain diet.

Footnotes

1 The technical assistance of Cecelia Boldon and Dieter Kroger is Gratefully acknowledged.

2 Department of Animal Husbandry.




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J. T. Vasconcelos and M. L. Galyean
ASAS Centennial Paper: Contributions in the Journal of Animal Science to understanding cattle metabolic and digestive disorders
J Anim Sci, July 1, 2008; 86(7): 1711 - 1721.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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