Influence of Physical Form of the Ration on Ruminal Ingesta and Ruminal Fermentation in Lactating Cows Fed 12 Times daily

Abstract

The effect of the content of long straw (LS) in the ration on the rumen contents and rumen fermentation was investigated in a study with 3 lactating cows, two 3x3 Latin square blocks with three levels of long straw (LS): 4%, 10% and 20%. The daily rations were composed of pelleted feed and LS, their dry matter content was 16 kg, and 1/12 was fed restrictively every second hour. The ingredient composition, chemical composition, and the energy value of the rations were nearly identical. The decrease in the content of LS from 20% to 4% resulted in a significantly linear reduction in total content of ruminal ingesta (ppppppppp<0.03) increased significantly with decreasing LS content.