Protein and Energy Imbalances in Ruminants

Question 1

What are the factors that influence the PRODUCTIVITY of a dairy cow?

Answer 1

Uncontrolled: Genetics of the cow
Controlled: Feeding - diet, environment, management and disease

Question 2

For Rumen fermentation, what does the pH of the rumen need to be and what helps maintain this?

Answer 2

pH of the rumen NEEDS to be neutral
To maintain this, there are bicarbonates in the saliva to act as a buffer - saliva is produced from chewing/rumination
Farmers feed their cows FIBRE to help with saliva production (to chew and ruminate), length: 2cm-4cm to stop the cows sorting out the concentrates

Question 3

Cow comfort is essential for

Answer 3

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