Effect of rumination on reduction of particle size of rumen digesta by cattle

Abstract

Two Hereford steers, fitted with cannulas in the oesophagus and rumen, were given four forage diets in either the chopped or ground and pelleted form. Collections from the oesophageal fistula were made of boluses regurgitated during rumination of the chopped diets. Diets were given at 95% of voluntary feed consumption at intervals of 2 h. Rumination of the chopped diets required 28-36000 chews/day compared to values of 3-10 000 chews/day for the pelleted forms. The weight of material regurgitated during rumination averaged 786 g, of which 493 g was swallowed before chewing commenced. Fractionation of particulate DM by wet sieving showed that the material retained in the mouth for chewing contained 41% more large particulate matter than did regurgitated material. Approximately 70% of large particles in the mouth were comminuted to small particles during one cycle of rumination. Comminution per chew was positively related to the amount of large particulate matter retained in the mouth for chewing and negatively to the number of chews/cycle. Rumination accounted for approximately 85% of comminution of large particles which entered the rumen. Measurements of digestion of dietary materials from nylon bags and rates of outflow of small particles and water from the rumen were used in conjunction with intake and chewing measurements to predict the rumen content of large particles.