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PubMed2004

Biohydrogenation, duodenal flow, and intestinal digestibility of trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in response to dietary forage:concentrate ratio and linseed oil in dairy cows.

Duodenal flows of hydrogenation intermediates in response to changes in dietary forage:concentrate ratio (F:C) and linseed oil were evaluated using 4 lactating Holstein cows fed a low (65:35 forage to concentrate) or high (35:65) concentrate diet without (LC, HC) added oil or with linseed oil (LCO, HCO) at 3% of DM. A 4 x 4 Latin square design was implemented for 5 wk. Lower hydrogenation of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 was observed with HC, but it increased with LCO or HCO. Duodenal flow of total conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) increased by 1.40 (LCO) to 3.01 (HCO) g/d with linseed oil. This response was associated with greater flows of cis9,trans11- (+0.21 to +0.55 g/d), trans11,cis13- (+0.33 to +0.36), trans11,trans13- (+1.01 to +1.15 g/d), and trans,trans-CLA (+0.12 to +0.72 g/d). Trans10,cis12-CLA flow averaged 0.08 g/d and was not affected by F:C or oil. trans11,cis15-18:2 flow increased by 8.5 (LCO) to 62 (HCO) g/d in response to linseed oil. Total trans-18:1 flow was 37 g/d in cows fed LC and increased to 81 g/d with HC. Feeding oil increased total trans-18:1 to the greatest extent with HCO. Flow of trans10-18:1 was lower with LC than with HC (1.46 vs. 20 g/d). Linseed oil increased trans11-18:1 flow by 40 (LCO) to 113 g/d (HCO). Feeding LCO and HCO also increased flows of trans6+7+8-, trans13+14-, trans15-, and trans16-18:1. Apparent intestinal digestibility of trans-18:1 isomers was largely unaffected by concentrate level and ranged between 67 and 95%. Linseed oil increased digestibility of nearly all isomers by 3 to 16 percentage units. Digestibility of cis9,trans11-CLA was greater in cows fed HC (55%) compared with cows fed LC (32%) and was not affected by linseed oil. Data suggest that high concentrate diets enhanced ruminal outflow of trans10-18:1. We provide initial in vivo evidence that supplemental 18:3n-3 is hydrogenated to trans11,cis15-18:2, trans11-18:1, trans13+14-18:1, trans15-18:1, trans6+7+8-18:1, and trans16-18:1 primarily.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effect of various levels of forage and form of diet on rumen development and growth in calves.

The effect of form of starter grain (coarse vs. ground) and inclusion of various levels of hay on body weight gain and rumen development was evaluated. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of form of diet and forage inclusion on intake, growth, feed efficiency, and weaning age in dairy calves. Diets consisted of commercial coarse starter (C), ground starter (G), coarse starter with 7.5% bromegrass hay of consistent particle size (8 to 19 mm) (H1), and coarse starter with 15% hay (H2). In experiment 1, intake was held constant across treatments until weaning, when feed was offered ad libitum. Calves receiving H1 and H2 were heavier and had greater body weight gain and greater feed efficiency than calves receiving C. There were no differences in intake. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher, and the proportion of acetate was lower for calves fed G vs. C. In experiment 2, calves (n = 56) were offered diets on an ad libitum basis and weaned according to intake. There were no differences in body weight gain, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and age at weaning with respect to treatment. Starter and total dry matter intake tended to be greater in calves fed H1 and H2 vs. C. The addition of controlled particle size hay to diets of young calves appears to favorably alter rumen environment, resulting in increased intake and improved feed efficiency. Forage of a consistent particle size can be successfully utilized in starter rations of young calves.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed2005

Effects of corn silage particle length and forage:concentrate ratio on milk fatty acid composition in dairy cows fed supplemental flaxseed.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of length of chop of corn silage and forage:concentrate ratio (F:C) on performance and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cows supplemented with flaxseed. Our hypothesis was that decreasing forage particle length and F:C ratio would increase unsaturated fatty acid flow to the small intestine and subsequent transfer of these unsaturated fatty acids into milk. Eight Holstein cows (648.1 +/- 71.5 kg body weight; 109.6 +/-43.6 days in milk) were used in a replicated 4 x4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and a 2 x2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Dietary factors were: 1) F:C ratios (dry matter basis) of 55:45 and 45:55; and 2) corn silage particle lengths of 9.52 and 19.05 mm. All experimental cows received 1 kg of flaxseed to substitute for 1 kg of a rolled barley grain-based concentrate daily. Diets were fed twice daily as a total mixed ration. Corn silage particle length and F:C ratio had no effect on dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk composition; however, feeding short cut corn silage depressed milk protein yield. Significant particle size xF:C ratio interactions were observed for milk fat proportions of C(16:0), C(18:1) cis-9, and C(18:2) cis-9, trans-11 (a conjugated linoleic acid isomer). At short corn silage particle size, decreasing F:C ratio depressed milk fat proportion of C(16:0). Conversely, feeding short corn silage at high F:C ratio increased the proportion of C(18:1) cis-9 and C(18:2) cis-9, trans-11 in milk fat. The milk fat proportion of C(18:2) trans-10, cis-12, a conjugated linoleic acid isomer that is associated with milk fat depression, was not affected by dietary treatment. Our results show that corn silage particle length and F:C ratio influence milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cows fed supplemental flaxseed as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2006

Variations in carotenoids, fat-soluble micronutrients, and color in cows' plasma and milk following changes in forage and feeding level.

The main aim of this work was to assess factors affecting the secretion of carotenoids in cows' milk. Our objectives were 1) to determine the kinetics of the decrease in carotenoids in plasma, milk, and adipose tissues following a switch from a high- to a low- carotenoid diet; and 2) to specify whether, during lipomobilization, the restitution of these compounds stored in the adipose tissues is sufficient to modify their secretion in milk. During the preexperimental period, 32 cows in midlactation were fed a grass silage-based diet, and were then assigned to 4 groups; 2 groups were maintained on the grass silage diet and 2 were switched to a late hay diet. For each forage diet, one group was fed according to net energy for lactation and nitrogen requirements, and the other was submitted to an energetic underfeeding, with similar forage and carotenoid intake between groups. Variations in concentration of carotenoids and color index (CI) of plasma and milk were monitored over 8 wk. Other components of nutritional interest; i.e., vitamin E (VE), vitamin A, and fatty acids, were also measured. The switch from grass silage to hay diet induced a rapid decrease in concentration of betal-carotene (BC) and VE and in the CI of plasma and milk during the first 2 wk. Pools of BC in adipose tissues also decreased by 40%. Concentrations of BC at the end of the experiment for silage and hay groups were 5.10 and 1.71 microg/mL in plasma and 0.17 and 0.07 microg/mL in milk, respectively. The energetic underfeeding did not affect BC concentration in plasma and induced a small increase in milk BC concentration, related to a decreased milk yield. In the silage group, the energetic underfeeding after 3 to 4 wk induced a decrease in CI and VE of plasma, but not of milk. The fatty acid profile in milk was modified by the change from grass silage to hay diet (C10 to C14 and linoleic acid increased; stearic and linolenic acid percentages decreased) and by underfeeding (oleic, vaccenic, and rumenic acid percentages increased). This study shows that BC and VE levels persist in midlactation cows' plasma and milk for about 2 wk. The results could not confirm a release of BC by bovine adipose tissue, but the level of underfeeding was moderate in this trial. The concentration of BC explained 58 and 40% of variation in CI of plasma and milk, respectively. These CI appear to be valuable tools for diet traceability (i.e., silage vs. hay).

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1976

Fermentation tubes for in vitro digestion of forages.

During in vitro digestion of forages by rumen microorganisms in polycarbonate centrifuge tubes, forage particles formed dense mats which were raised above the level of media by entrapped gas. This did not occur with polyethylene centrifuge tubes. In vitro organic matter digestion was higher in polyethylene than in poly-carbonate tubes. Vacuum infiltration of water into samples prior to inoculation increased in vitro digestion with both types of tubes but to a greater extent with samples of high than of low digestion. Regression analysis of in vivo digestibility on in vitro digestion showed that the lowest residual standard deviation was with polyethylene tubes and vacuum infiltration, but omission of vacuum infiltration gave satisfactory results.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1979

Evaluation of high protein oat forage for dairy cattle.

Spear, a high protein oat variety, was evaluated during 2 consecutive yr for yields of forage dry matter and for feeding value as a silage to heifers, steers, and lactating cows. In yr 1 and 2, Spear yielded 7% and 13% less forage dry matter per hectare than Burnett, a comparative oat variety. Crude protein contents in silages were similar for varieties both years. In yr 1, Holstein heifers fed high protein and medium protein oat silages gained the same amount of weight but less weight than heifers fed alfalfa-brome hay. In a total collection digestion trial with six lactating cows, digestibilities of Spear were less than Burnett oat silage or alfalfa-brome hay. In yr 2, Spear and Burnett silages were fed ad libitum without a concentrate mixture to seven Holstein heifers each. Average daily gains were higher with Spear than Burnett. Apparent digestibilities as determined with steers tended to be less for Spear than Burnett. Dry matter intakes, milk yield, and composition were similar in a switchback lactation trial with ten cows fed spear or Burnett in oat silage supplemented with a concentrate at 1 kg per 3 kg milk produced.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1988

Forage pH effects on intake in early lactation dairy cows.

In Experiment 1, 18 mature Holstein cows were used in a single reversal design with 6-wk periods from wk 5 to 16 postpartum. Cows were fed for ad libitum consumption corn silage and grain separately in a 40:60 ratio where treatments consisted of a corn silage (pH = 3.64) or corn silage partially neutralized with sodium bicarbonate prior to feeding (pH = 5.44). Neutralization of corn silage increased forage DM intake 1.0 kg/d and total DM 1.3 kg/d. Milk fat percent was increased from 3.79 to 4.15. In Experiment 2, 17 mature Holstein cows were used in an identical design except that alfalfa haylage was used as the forage. Increasing alfalfa haylage pH from 4.62 to 5.45 had no effect on intake or milk production. Literature data means and data summarized from the present experiments in multiple regression analysis indicated that intake as a percentage of body weight = .96 + .88 pH - .077 pH2 (R2 = .65, n = 49). Optimal pH for maximum intake was 5.7. Intake responses to pH above 4.5 are relatively small and explain the differences in responses seen between corn silage and alfalfa haylage in Experiments 1 and 2.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1990

Effect of particle size of forage and rumen cannulation upon chewing activity and laterality in dairy cows.

Three ruminally cannulated Holstein dairy cows housed in free stalls (with .7% slope) were fed three total mixed rations, differing in silage particle size, in a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Observations on cow behavior were made every 5 min during 24 h for each of three periods. Additional observations of six cows (three intact, three cannulated) housed under identical conditions yielded information concerning recumbent rumination activity and laterality. Results indicated that decreasing particle size of forage reduced time spent ruminating, whether standing or recumbent, and had no effect upon rumination rate or number of rumination bouts per 24-h period. Eating time was unaffected by treatment. Effect of forage particle size upon baseline rumination activity appeared to be most pronounced from 0800 to 2000 h, although maximum rumination activity occurred during nighttime hours. Ruminally cannulated cows demonstrated increased right-side laterality (70%) compared with intact cows (47%), but the cows tend to ruminate while lying on their left side. The percentage of time spent ruminating while recumbent on the left side was similar (55%) for intact and cannulated cows.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of forage to concentrate ratio and intake level on utilization of early vegetative alfalfa silage by dairy cows.

Two experiments were conducted to measure the effects of intake and forage: grain ratio on utilization of early maturity alfalfa silage in dairy cows. In Experiment 1, diets with three forage: concentrate ratios (percentage of silage, percentage NDF): low (56, 28.3), medium (71, 31.0), or high (86, 33.4) were fed ad libitum to six lactating, ruminally cannulated cows in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square. The same diets were then fed at 1.3 x maintenance intake to six gestating dry cows. Dairy milk yield and percentage and yield of milk protein and casein were higher for cows fed the low silage diet than for cows receiving other treatments. Fat percentage and yield were not different among diets. Lactating cows consumed more DM on low silage (23.0 kg/d) than on medium or high silage diets (21.4 kg), but NDF intake as percentage of BW was higher for the high silage diet. Digestibility of DM in the lactating (70.7, 69.9, and 67.5% for low, medium, and high) and dry cows (76.7, 73.5, and 69.0%, respectively) decreased as the level of silage increased. Depression in digestibility was greater as dietary concentrate increased. Cows fed the high silage diet had a faster fractional passage rate of solids and higher rumen fill. Digestion of concentrate cell walls appeared to be depressed more than alfalfa cell walls as intake increased.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1991

Near infrared spectroscopic analysis of forage samples digested in situ (nylon bag).

The objective was to investigate the feasibility of using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to determine the composition of samples generated in situ. Five alfalfa and five orchardgrass hays of differing maturities were incubated for 0, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h (Experiment 1) or for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h (Experiment 2) in rumen-fistulated, lactating cows, using nylon bags. After washing to remove rumen contents, samples were analyzed using a nonrotating circular cell in a scanning monochromator. All samples then were dried at 55 degrees C and analyzed for CP and ADF by wet chemistry and rescanned in the dry state. The degree of DM digestion of the original sample was calculated from duplicate bags. Results for spectral analysis of dried samples (Experiment 1), with one-half the samples for validation, were typical of results found for dry forages. The results for scanning wet samples were less accurate than for dry ones. Analysis of samples from Experiment 2 by equations developed in Experiment 1 often resulted in extremely large biases, but these were corrected by including six samples of each forage from Experiment 2 in the calibration set (from Experiment 1) and redeveloping the equations. Although it is possible to use near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to determine the composition of wet samples generated in situ, results are more accurate if the samples are scanned after drying.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1993

Observations on in situ degradation of forage cell components in alfalfa and Italian ryegrass.

The rate and extent of degradation of forage feed fractions contained in alfalfa and Italian ryegrass hays were determined. Nylon bags filled with 4 g of each forage were suspended in the rumen of two cannulated cows immediately before feeding and incubated for 10 different times (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 120, and 168 h). The alfalfa hay, which had lower NDF, showed a lower extent, but a higher rate, of NDF degradation than the Italian ryegrass (41.1 vs. 59.8% and 4.64 vs. 2.91%/h, respectively). Alfalfa cell walls were degraded more rapidly than Italian ryegrass even though their lignin content was higher. The hemicellulose fermentation of alfalfa showed a longer lag time (13 h) and an undegradable fraction nearly twice that for Italian ryegrass (63.3 vs. 37.1%). Cellulose from alfalfa was degraded at a higher rate than NDF or ADF, indicating that cellulose may be the primary site of hydrolysis of the cell wall in the rumen. Calculations based on in situ degradability indicate that alfalfa can have a higher inclusion than Italian ryegrass in diets for dairy cows because of lower NDF and greater availability of cell contents.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1994

Effects of forage particle size and long hay for cows fed total mixed rations based on alfalfa and corn.

A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, in which particle length of alfalfa silage in the TMR and supplementary long alfalfa-grass hay were the factors, was used to determine whether hay benefits lactating cows and whether its effects depend on fibrosity of the main forage source. Without supplementary hay, TMR contained 45% forage, including corn silage, and 26 to 27.5% NDF. When hay was fed, the amount of alfalfa silage in the corresponding TMR was reduced. In the production trial, 40 cows (20 multiparous) were fed the diets for 8 wk in early lactation. No interactions of silage length and hay occurred on any production variables except lactose concentration in the milk of multiparous cows. Addition of hay to the diet enhanced DMI, without effect on production, so efficiency of milk production was reduced. Shorter alfalfa silage enhanced DMI by multiparous cows, reduced SCM and FCM in primiparous cows, and depressed fat test in both groups. Milk composition and component production generally were unaffected. Five rumen-fistulated cows in early to midlactation each were given the four treatments during four 3-wk periods. Hay enhanced rumination when short alfalfa silage was fed but tended to reduce it on long alfalfa silage. Hay also depressed rumen pH and enhanced VFA concentrations. Alfalfa silage length had minimal effects on rumination and no effect on fermentation, and neither hay nor silage length affected digestion of silage DM or NDF in the rumen. Addition of hay to the diet may not be beneficial for cows fed TMR, but longer term feeding studies are needed.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1994

Soyhulls as a replacement for forage fiber in diets for lactating dairy cows.

Thirty Holstein cows in early and midlactation were fed one of five TMR for 12 wk in which soyhulls replaced 25 or 42% of the forage (alfalfa:corn silages, 1:1, wt/wt, dry basis). Within each amount of soyhull replacement, 33% of the silage was replaced with coarsely chopped alfalfa hay. All diets were isocaloric compared with the control diet, which contained 60% silage and no soyhulls. The high amounts of soyhulls fed with coarsely chopped hay improved DMI, and NDF intake and milk yield by 14, 33, and 9%, respectively, compared with the control diet. Addition of soyhulls at low or high amounts reduced milk fat yield and increased milk protein yield, but addition of hay to the high soyhull diet maintained milk fat yield similar to the control diet. The high soyhull diets increased DM digestibility by 7% compared with the control diet. Rumination time and acetate to propionate ratios were reduced by 43 and 24%, respectively, when high amounts of soyhulls were fed compared with the control diet. Soyhulls can successfully replace 42% of dietary forage when fed in combination with coarsely chopped hay in place of 33% of the dietary silage.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1994

Digestion in the rumen and total tract of forage-based diets with starch or dextrose supplements fed to Holstein heifers.

Three diets were fed to six cannulated heifers in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Diets were a high forage control, a high forage diet with dextrose (5.6% of DM), and a medium concentrate (39.7% of DM) diet. Diets contained 13.3% CP and 1% NaHCO3 and were fed as a TMR twice daily. Mean ruminal pH (6.47), glucose concentration (.55 mM), and reducing sugar concentration (.64 mM) in heifers were similar across diets. Rate of orchardgrass NDF digestion in situ was faster for heifers fed the dextrose than for those fed the medium concentrate diet, but both were similar to that for heifers fed the control diet. Heifers fed the medium concentrate and dextrose diets had faster ruminal particulate fractional passage rates than those fed the control diet. True ruminal and apparent total tract digestion of OM and NDF were similar among diets, but ruminal NDF digestion tended to be higher with the control than with the medium concentrate diet. Total NAN and bacterial N flow to the duodenum and efficiency of bacterial protein synthesis in the rumen were greater with the medium concentrate diet than with the control and dextrose diets. The results were consistent with others that demonstrated that factors related to nonstructural carbohydrates in the diet other than just low ruminal pH affect ruminal fiber digestion; however, these results were not as strong as those of our previous in vitro work.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1994

Effects of extruded soybeans and forage source on fermentation by rumen microorganisms in continuous culture.

Continuous culture fermenters were used to evaluate effects of extrusion of whole soybeans and changes in forage composition of diets on microbial fermentation. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial design with soybeans (raw or extruded) and dietary treatment (ratio of alfalfa hay to corn silage; 82:18, 61:39, 43:57, and 27:73 of dietary forage) as main effects. Soybeans constituted 9.6, 14.4, 19.2, and 23.9% of DM for each of the respective dietary treatments. True digestion of DM, ADF, and NDF was unaffected by processing of soybeans or dietary treatment, but true digestion of OM decreased as concentration of corn silage and soybeans increased. Total VFA concentration was unaffected by source of soybeans or dietary treatments; however, molar concentration of butyrate decreased in fermenters supplied with diets containing extruded soybeans. Degradation of CP was not influenced by soybean source but decreased as the concentration of corn silage and soybeans increased. Bacterial N output decreased, and dietary N flow from the fermenters increased, as concentration of corn silage and soybeans increased. Changes in the ratio of alfalfa hay to corn silage and alteration of dietary soybean concentration affected true OM digestion and dietary CP degradation, but extrusion of whole soybeans had little effect on fermentation.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1995

Effects of varying forage types on milk production responses to whole cottonseed, tallow, and yeast.

Four forage treatments (45% corn silage, 33.75% corn silage plus 11.25% alfalfa hay, 11.25% bermudagrass hay, or 11.25% cottonseed hulls on a DM basis) were arranged factorially with no added fat, 12.5% whole cottonseed, or 2.5% tallow. Different diets were fed during three 28-d periods to 20 control Holstein cows and to 20 cows receiving yeast continuously in a split-plot design. Milk yield of cows fed cottonseed hulls with corn silage was 2.4 kg/d higher than with corn silage plus bermudagrass hay and .7 kg/d higher than with corn silage only or corn silage plus alfalfa hay. Whole cottonseed depressed milk yield by 1 kg/d. Cows fed yeast had increased DMI, and yeast interacted with forage so that more milk was produced by cows fed alfalfa diets. Yeast depressed milk protein percentage. Holstein cows in a commercial Florida dairy were fed no yeast or 10 g/d continuously for 60 d; milk fat percentage was greater (3.51 vs. 3.37%) with yeast. In summary, effects on milk and SCM were positive when cottonseed hulls were utilized with corn silage, negative with whole cottonseed, and neutral with supplemental tallow. Yeast effects on SCM, although not significant for either experiment, tended to be positive for both (mean +1.2 kg/d per cow).

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

Effects of chemical treatment of whole canola seed on digestion of long-chain fatty acids by steers fed high or low forage diets.

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of alkaline H2O2 treatment of whole canola seed as a means of weakening the seed coat while simultaneously protecting long-chain unsaturated fatty acids from ruminal biohydrogenation without hindering their digestion in the lower gut. Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers were offered six isonitrogenous diets for ad libitum intake twice daily in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two forage percentages (70 vs. 30% of dietary DM as corn silage) and three forms of canola seed supplementation, including no canola seed or canola seed added at 10% of dietary DM as treated whole seed or as crushed seed. Canola seed contributed 5% added fat to the total diet. Treated whole canola seed was superior to crushed seed in increasing the amounts of C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3 flowing to the duodenum and the amounts digested postruminally. However, digestibilities of these long-chain fatty acids (as percentages of the amounts entering the small intestine) did not differ between diets containing canola seed as treated whole seed or crushed seed. Results suggest that chemically treated whole canola seed can be used as a means of postruminal delivery of digestible long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, especially C18:1, which contributes 62% of the total fatty acids in canola seed. Results also suggest that treated whole canola seed may be more beneficial when fed with low than with high forage diets.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1997

Malate content of forage varieties commonly fed to cattle.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of malate in forage varieties at different stages of maturity. Five alfalfa varieties (Alfagraze, Apollo Supreme Cimarron, Crockett, and Magnum III) and three bermudagrass varieties (Coastal, Tifton-78, and Tifton-85) were collected at different stages of maturity. Samples were collected from replicate plots (n = 3) of each alfalfa variety at 9, 18, 28, 35, and 42 d of maturity; bermudagrass hay samples were composited from six bales of each variety from two cuttings staged to be harvested at 27 and 41 d of maturity. Malate was extracted from the samples and quantitated by high performance liquid chromatography using an organic acid column. As maturity increased, the concentration of malate declined in both plant species. Concentrations of malate were numerically higher in two alfalfa varieties (Crockett and Magnum III) at 35 and 42 d of maturity than in all other alfalfa varieties. Concentrations of malate in bermudagrass at 41 d of maturity were lower than concentrations of malate in all alfalfa varieties at 42 d of maturity. Malate declined as maturity increased in the Coastal and Tifton-78 varieties. Because malate stimulates the utilization of lactate by the predominant ruminal bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium, some of the benefits associated with alfalfa in the diets of dairy cattle may be due to the malate in this forage.

Acidosis↗