Rumen bacterial and protozoal populations in cattle being relocated in tropical Queensland

Abstract

Rumen microbial populations were measured in Brahman-cross steers that were relocated from spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) dominant pastures in northern Queensland to buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliasis) dominant pastures in central Queensland, to assess whether aspects of rumen function may contribute to the sometimes reported depressed growth rates following relocation.

Nine genera of ciliate protozoa (Isotricha, Dasytricha, Entodinia, Epidinium, Diplodinium, Ostracodinium, Metadinium, Elytroplastron, and Eudiplodinium) were recorded in the rumen fluid of the steers. In most steers all genera were present at any time and the generic mix persisted throughout the 10 months over which the study was conducted. Protozoal population composition fluctuated only slightly over the sampling period. Entodinia were predominant, occupying 50-70% of the population. Population density varied according to season, with the highest density (4-8×10⁵ /mL rumen fluid) occurring in the wet season.

Bacterial and protozoal populations were remarkably stable and little affected by relocation. Again, the major impact on population density was the season, with all carbohydrate (soluble sugar, starch, xylan, and cellulose) utilising bacterial subpopulations reaching the greatest density with the onset of the wet season.