Effect of Beet Pulp and Citrus Pulp on Rumination Activity

Abstract

Five experiments were conducted to investigate the effect on rumination activity in sheep and cattle when fed beet pulp, citrus pulp, and alfalfa meal pellets, compared to chopped or long hay. All three materials reduced the amount of rumination time. The beet pulp had a similar concentration of cell wall constituents (CWC) as the hay, but caused the least rumination. Citrus pulp produced less rumination but the time per unit of CWC was similar to that produced by the hay. The finely ground alfalfa meal (pelleted) produced rumination times lower than those observed during the citrus pulp feeding, although the alfalfa meal had approximately twice the CWC content. Previous studies have shown a high correlation between CWC content of long or chopped forages and rumination time. The citrus pulp results agree with what would be expected from a roughage material having a low CWC content and large particle size. The alfalfa meal pellets produced rumen contents that were too fine to require very much rumination for passage through the reticuloomasal orifice.