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Ruminal Motility of Stocker Cattle Grazed on Winter Wheat Pasture^1,2,

Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater 74078

Abstract

A 2-yr study was conducted to determine whether bloat of stocker cattle grazing winter wheat pasture is a primary bloat or a secondary bloat as a result of reduced ruminal motility. Amplitude (mm Hg) and frequency of ruminal contractions (contractions/min) of steers were measured before and after the steers were placed on wheat pasture, and at about weekly intervals during the pasture grazing periods. Implantable pressure transducers and water-filled balloon cannulas were used to measure ruminal motility. During the first year, amplitude of contractions increased (P<.005) during grazing of wheat pasture (i.e., 20.5 vs 6.7 and 21.6 vs 12.9, respectively, for steers with implanted pressure transducers and water-filled balloon cannulas). Frequency of ruminal contractions of steers on wheat pasture was not decreased (P>.05). In the second year, amplitudes of ruminal contractions of steers on wheat pasture ranged from 11.0 to 33.5, and were either similar or greater (P<.05) than the mean for the pre- and post-wheat pasture period (16.5). Frequencies of ruminal contractions that ranged from 1.66 to 1.80 were observed on four dates during the pasture grazing period, and were decreased (P<.05) as compared with the mean for the pre- and post-wheat pasture period (2.43). However, the reduced frequencies were not accompanied by reduced (P>.05) amplitude x frequency of contractions. The data indicate that ruminal motility is not decreased in stocker cattle grazing winter wheat pasture.

¹ Journal Article 3840 of the Agr. Exp. Sta., Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater 74078.

² The terms "stocker" or "stocker cattle" as used in this manuscript refer to weaned beef cattle that are grown to heavier weights on wheat pasture before being placed in feedlots.

³ Anim. Sci. Dept.

⁴ Present address: College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins 80523.