Effect of feeding buffer on feed intake, milk production and rumen fermentation pattern in lactating animals: A review

 Veena Mani and Lamella Ojha, Shahid Hassan Mir, Ravi Prakash Pal, Hunny Sharma  :نویسندگان

Year of publication: 2018  

Introduction:

The livestock industry, as a foundational sector, must continuously grow to meet the increasing global demands of the future. Producing higher quantities of high-quality milk requires progress in step with modern scientific advancements. One key prerequisite for achieving such production is the increased use of concentrate feeds to meet the nutritional needs of livestock. However, the use of large amounts of concentrate and rapidly fermentable carbohydrates creates conditions that predispose animals to metabolic disorders such as subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA).

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) can lead to several problems in livestock, including reduced feed intake, decreased fiber digestion, and lower milk fat content. Additionally, the entry of acid into the bloodstream may result in lameness, liver abscesses, and even death. Research has shown that animals receiving a lower proportion of forage compared to concentrate are more prone to SARA. In dairy cows, due to high milk production demands, larger amounts of concentrate must be fed, making it difficult to maintain adequate forage levels to prevent acidosis. Therefore, utilizing buffers becomes a practical solution. Buffers help maintain ruminal homeostasis even with high concentrate feeding, thus preserving both rumen health and milk quality.

Goals:

This review study examines the effects of using dietary buffers on feed intake, milk production, and rumen fermentation patterns in lactating dairy cows.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Mineral buffers have replaced traditional mineral supplements such as sodium bicarbonate in order to reduce the acid produced in the rumen (mainly by lactobacilli) and help stabilize ruminal pH. Alkalizers are another category of feed additives that, while similar to buffers, are not identical. Buffers—such as sodium bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate—regulate ruminal pH due to their composition as weak acids and their salts. In contrast, alkalizers—such as magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide—only neutralize ruminal acid without providing buffering capacity.

Using buffers in high-starch diets not only stabilizes ruminal pH but also enhances cellulose digestion and rumen passage rate. This leads to improved daily feed intake and increased milk yield in dairy cows. In high-concentrate diets, the ruminal environment tends to favor propionate production while limiting acetate synthesis. While higher ruminal propionate levels are directly associated with increased lactose production and milk volume, they may also contribute to reduced milk fat content. Therefore, in high-concentrate rations, buffer supplementation supports better fiber digestion, promotes acetate production, improves the acetate-to-propionate ratio, and ultimately helps maintain milk fat levels.

The inclusion of buffers in the diet not only reduces the incidence of metabolic acidosis in livestock but also offers additional benefits. One such benefit is improved feed palatability, as buffers increase the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD), which enhances feed intake. Moreover, studies have shown that buffer supplementation can also mitigate alkalosis caused by heat stress, contributing to overall animal health and performance under challenging environmental conditions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Buffer compounds help maintain ruminal homeostasis in dairy cows by resisting fluctuations in pH. These supplements tend to increase ruminal propionate levels and improve fiber digestibility, which in turn enhances milk fat percentage and overall milk production. Additionally, buffers help sustain dry matter intake by mitigating the harmful effects of ruminal acidosis. Therefore, the use of buffers can be considered an effective and economical tool for livestock producers.

REFERENCES

Sharma, H., et al., Effect of feeding buffer on feed intake, milk production and rumen fermentation pattern in lactating animals: A review. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 2018. 6(4): p. 916-922.