The effect of the roughage to concentrate ratio on ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration

Abstract

The experiments included three fistulated rams that were approximately 18 months of age. Three weight ratios of roughage to concentrate were used in the experiment. The animals were fed twice a day at 7 A.M. and 3 P.M. The contents of the rumen were taken just before feeding and again every two hours before the next feeding.

The roughage to concentrate ratio affected ruminal pH. The highest ruminal pH was reported for the ration with the largest proportion of roughage. A reduction in the proportion of roughage in the ration induced a decrease in ruminal pH.

The dynamics of ammonia release in the rumen contents was also dependent on the roughage to concentrate ratio. The fastest dynamics of ammonia release in the rumen contents was established in the rams fed ration containing 80% roughage and 20% concentrate feed.