Effect Of Pelleting Rations And Hay:Grain Ratio on Salivary Secretion and Ruminal Characteristics of Steers

Abstract

Esophageal and ruminal fistulated steers were used in studies on the influence of ration pelleting and roughage level on salivary and ruminal characteristics. Rate of salivary secretion was less when equal amounts of a high-roughage ration were fed pelleted rather than as a coarsely ground mixture. Rate of salivary secretion appeared to respond less to increased intake when rations were pelleted. Ingesta VFA concentrations tended to be higher and pH values lower when pelleted or high-grain rations were fed. Molar percent of VFA×time values were not altered by feeding pellets. Liters of ruminal fill tended to be less when pelleted or low-roughage rations were fed and greater when feed was offered ad libitum.