Modulation of the rumen microbiome

Rosalind Gilbert; Diane Ouwerkerk; Athol Klieve

doi:10.1071/MA15006

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Modulation of the rumen microbiome

Rosalind Gilbert ^A ^B ^D , Diane Ouwerkerk ^A ^B ^E and Athol Klieve ^B ^C ^F

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Rumen Ecology Unit, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Level 2A East, EcoSciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Qld 4102, Australia

^B Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia

^C School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia

^D Corresponding author. Tel: +61 7 3255 4289, Email: Ros.Gilbert@daff.qld.gov.au

^E Tel: + 61 7 3255 4291, Email: Diane.Ouwerkerk@daff.qld.gov.au

^F Tel: +61 7 5460 1255, Email: a.klieve@uq.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 36(1) 18-21 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA15006
Published: 6 March 2015

Abstract

A combination of animal genetics and the unique, enlarged fore-stomach of ruminants (rumen) enable domesticated ruminants to be sustained on forages and fibrous feedstuffs that would be otherwise indigestible. Ruminants can also utilise more easily digestible, high energy plant material such as grain, to achieve rapid increases in weight gain, muscle bulk and in the case of dairy cows, high milk yields. Since the mid-1900s there has been a steady research effort into understanding the digestive processes of ruminants, striving to maintain animal health and nutrition whilst maximising the productivity and environmental sustainability of livestock production systems. This article describes strategies developed to modulate the rumen microbial ecosystem, enabling the utilisation of plant feedstuffs that may otherwise be toxic and enhancing feed utilisation efficiency or controlling populations of specific rumen microbes, such as those contributing to lactic acidosis and enteric methane emissions. It also traces advances in technologies that have enabled us to understand the underlying biological mechanisms involved in the modulation of the rumen microbiome.

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