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Bloat in Cattle. IX. Effect of Poloxalene, Usedto Prevent Legume Boat, on Milk Production,Feed Intake, Health, Reproduction,and Rumen Fermentation¹

Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of a nonionic surfactant in controlling alfalfa pasture bloat was demonstrated previously. In this study, six dairy cows were fed varying levels of the surfactant (10, 20, or 40 g per cow per day) for 12 wk, and six cows served as controls. The surfactant had no deleterious effect on milk production, milk fat test, body weight, feed consumption, conception rate, or animal health.

Two sets of fistulated identical twin animals were used to determine the surfactant's effect on rumen fermentation. A reversal design of feeding was used. Ten grams of surfactant daily seemed not to affect rumen ammonia concentration, rumen pH, or rumen lactic and volatile fatty acid concentration. Inocula from surfactant-fed and control animals digested similar quantities of cellulose in vitro.

The results appear to justify the conclusion that feeding the bloat-preventive agent in quantities up to 40 g per day does not deleteriously affect dairy animals.

¹ Contribution No. 624, Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, Kansas. Supported in part by a grant from Smith Kline and French Laboratories, Philadelphia.