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The Definition of Acidosis in Dairy Herds Predominantly Fed on Pasture and Concentrates¹

E. Bramley^*,2, I. J. Lean^*,, W. J. Fulkerson^*, M. A. Stevenson, A. R. Rabiee^*, and N. D. Costa

^* Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales 2570, Australia
Bovine Research Australasia, 2 Broughton St, Camden, New South Wales 2570, Australia
Institute of Veterinary, Animal, and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222 Palmerston North, New Zealand
School of Environmental Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150

² Corresponding author: ebramley{at}wirefree.net.au

This cross-sectional survey examined the prevalence of ruminal acidosis and the effects of acidosis on the production of dairy cattle. Eight fresh cows, 3 primiparous and 5 multiparous (<100 d in milk), were selected randomly from each of 100 dairy herds in 5 regions of Australia. Rumen fluid was obtained from each cow by rumenocentesis and a stomach tube, and samples were tested for pH. Stomach tube rumen fluid samples were analyzed for volatile fatty acid, ammonia, and D-lactate concentrations. On the basis of the results of all assays, cows were categorized into 3 distinct categories (categories 1, 2, and 3) by cluster analysis. The percentages of cattle in categories 1, 2, and 3 were 10.2, 29.9, and 59.9%, respectively. Mean rumen pH for categories 1, 2, and 3 were 5.74 ± 0.47, 6.18 ± 0.44, and 6.33 ± 0.43, respectively. Biochemically, categories 1, 2, and 3 were characterized, respectively, as follows: mean total VFA concentration (mM), 100.74 ± 23.22, 94.79 ± 18.13, and 62.81 ± 15.65; mean ammonia concentration (mM), 2.46 ± 2.02, 7.79 ± 3.75, and 3.64 ± 2.03; and mean D-lactate concentration (mM), 0.34 ± 0.86, 0.28 ± 0.97, and 0.12 ± 0.51. Category 1 cows had higher propionate, valerate, isovalerate, and caproate concentrations and were of lower parity than cows in other categories. Cows in category 1 had higher milk production but lower milk fat content than category 2 cows. Herds were assigned to 1 of 3 groups according to the numbers of cows assigned to each category. Herds with 3 of the 8 cows in category 1 were classified as acidotic. Herds with 3 of the 8 cows in category 2 were classified as having suboptimal rumen function, and herds with 3 of the 8 cows in category 3 were classified as normal. Herds that had 3 or more of the 8 cows in category 1 (acidotic herds) had diets with higher energy and nonfiber carbohydrate contents and a lower neutral detergent fiber content than herds with a high prevalence of category 2 or 3 cows. The lack of significance of a herd effect in the statistical models developed suggests that the categories were robust across production systems, in which diets varied from all pasture to total mixed rations. A point prevalence of 10% (95% credible interval, 8 to 12%) of cows with an acidotic profile indicates a high risk for acidosis in the cattle sampled. The higher nonfiber carbohydrate and lower neutral detergent fiber contents of diets for herds with a high prevalence of category 1 cows (acidotic herds) indicates that there may be opportunities to reduce the risk of acidosis by dietary manipulation.

Key Words: dairy cow • rumen acidosis • case definition