Rumen fermentation in hereford steers grazing ryegrass and supplemented with whole or ground maize

Abstract

The experiment investigated rumen fermentation in Hereford steers grazing high quality pastures, supplemented daily with whole or ground maize grain (1% of body weight), or grazing without supplementation, during autumn. Six rumen cannulated steers were allotted at random, to 1 of the 3 treatments. Grain was offered each morning. Dry matter degradability was measured using the nylon bag technique. Samples of rumen fluid were collected for analysis of pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia. Supplementation with maize did not affect (P>0.05) degradation rate of forage in the rumen, rumen pH, or rumen VFA concentration. It was concluded that neither grain supplement adversely affected the rumen environment of cattle grazing lush pastures during autumn.