Ruminant Nutrition

Question 1

Ruminant energy requirements

Answer 1

Primary =volatile fatty acids vfa source is fiber fermented by rumen bacteria secondary energy source:small amount is found in storage carbs more carbs are concentrates and some fats during lactation

Question 2

Protein requirements for ruminants

Answer 2

Need nitrogen not complete proteins bacteria use nitrogen to grow and multiply > bacteria protein supplies ruminantsProtein In diet fermented in RumenOnly bypass protein high in corn Or dehy can skip rumen

Question 3

Mineral supplementation for ruminants

Answer 3

Calcium and phosphorus needed Trace minerals: may need depending on where forages grownSheep and Camelids:Watch for selenium deficiency and copper toxicity

Question 4

Vitamin requirements for Ruminants

Answer 4

Water-soluble vitamins are produced in the G.I. tract fat-soluble vitamin supplements may be needed

Question 5

Ruminant diets

Answer 5

Fiber base for maintenance: grazing pasture or hay or browses appropriate complete pellet feeds (adf 16 or 25)Protein around 15%Fiber of 25% for most can going even higher in browsers

Question 6

Ruminants diet continued

Answer 6

Breeder diets: need more digestibility, less fiberSwitch to ADF 16Need more proteinCamelids diets:Extra vitamin D and selenium needed

Question 7

Different requirements in grazers (Bulk and roughage feeders) vs. Browsers ( concentrate selectors)

Answer 7

Related to the digestive anatomy for each

Question 8

Ruminant nutritional disorders

Answer 8

Brain overload disorders equal lactic acidosis, bloat, enterotoxemia KetosisUrinary calculiPlant toxicityInsufficient browse = acidosis, loss of fat stores, bezoars

Question 9

Lactic acidosis

Answer 9

Caused by an excess of readily fermentable carbohydrates. Ruminants don’t have enough starch digestion bacteria for this so streptococcus bovis takes overLactic acid produced as an end productLactic acid > decrease rumen pH > Rumen wall >corrosion, decrease absorption and bacterial growth

Question 10

Enterotoxemia

Answer 10

Overeating diseaseExcess readily fermentable carbs in sheep and goats especially in lambs/ kidsClostridium perfringens>products neurotoxin> kills animal within hours

Question 11

Bloat

Answer 11

High grain low roughage dietFrothy bloat: distention of rumen from excess fermentation gasesFree gas bloat:High-quality consumed pushes the stomach down below rumen fluid level rumen fluids spread and gas fills all the chambers

Question 12

Ketosis

Answer 12

Fat stores mobilized to make glucose, causing buildup of ketone bodies in the processCan happen during stress or pregnancy lactation and ruminants

Question 13

Urinary calculi

Answer 13

Ureter blockage especially in malesSilica calculiCalcium calculi poor calcium phosphorus ratio in the diet