HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pounden, W. D. Articles by Hibbs, J. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Pounden, W. D. Articles by Hibbs, J. W.

The Influence of the Ratio of Grain to Hay in the Ration of Dairy Calves on Certain Rumen Microorganisms¹

Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster

ABSTRACT

A total of 35 rumen samples from 19 calves between the ages of 1 and 4.5 months were examined microscopically. The calves received rations of alfalfa hay or grain alone, or various proportions of these. Most of them had received rumen inoculations and the remainder had been exposed to usual rumen micro-organisms in a natural manner.

Moderate numbers of protozoa and flora of varieties observed to associate with hay ingestion accompanied the ingestion of hay without grain.

Masses of protozoa along with fairly numerous flora of the 2 hay groups were associated with the consumption of hay and moderate quantities of grain.

Similar concentrations of protozoa, accompanied by rather limited numbers of organisms of the hay groups and fairly numerous bacteria of the varieties observed to associate with grain consumption, accompanied the ingestion of approximately equal quantities of hay and grain.

Limited numbers of protozoa accompanied by great numbers of bacteria of the grain groups, but no organisms of the hay groups, were present when the ration consisted of almost all grain.

Protozoa and organisms of the varieties associated with hay ingestion generally were absent entirely in samples from calves on strictly grain rations.

¹ Journal article No. 30–48, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station. Published with the-approval of the Associate Director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station.