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Bloat versus No Bloat in Identical-Twin Cows Fed Identical Rations¹

Michigan State University, East Lansing

ABSTRACT

Smith et al. (3) reported that frothy bloat could be produced by feeding 16 lb. of a grain mixture and 4 lb. of unground alfalfa hay. It has since been found that a ration consisting of equal amounts of this grain mixture and hay would sustain the frothing condition once it had been initiated, but would seldom initiate frothy bloat in a normal cow. This fact permitted studying the composition of the rumen liquid from bloated and nonbloated cows independent of ration effects. During a 3-wk. preliminary period, one member of each of two pairs of identical twins was assigned to a ration consisting of 16 lb. of the grain mixture of Smith et al. (3), plus 4 lb. hay, while the other member of each pair of twins was given a ration of 20 lb. of hay. The ration of all cows was then changed to 10 lb. of the grain mixture plus 10 lb. of hay for a 2-wk. period, at the end of which samples of rumen liquid were taken via rumen fistulae equipped with plastic cannulae.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article No. 2568 and partially supported by funds from the North Central Regional Research Project No. 27.