Show Notes
Low rumen pH is a hallmark of rumen acidosis, but it doesn't tell the whole story. So what's really happening inside the rumen during an acidosis event when things start to go wrong? In this first episode of our three-part Rumen Room series, we explore how changes in feed type can disrupt the rumen's microbial ecosystem, altering fermentation patterns and the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and, sometimes, lactic acid. We also unpack the chemistry behind rumen acidity, explaining how VFAs dissociate to release hydrogen ions, contributing to a fall in rumen pH. More importantly, we look beyond the pH measurement itself to consider the broader implications of disrupted rumen fermentation for animal health and wellbeing. Join us as we explore why rumen acidosis is far more complex than simply low pH, laying the groundwork for two further episodes over the coming weeks.
More from The Rumen Room Podcasts
Ruminants have been ruminating (cud chewing) for millions of years, so why the recent increased interest in ruminating? Wearable technologies (cattle collars, ear tags, rumen boluses) have changed our world, providing real time data around all sorts of things that our cattle are up to - including but not limited to rumination. Our latest podcast takes a deep dive into the topic of rumination, exploring why ruminants chew cud, and factors that change rumination activity. Join us on a journey of exploration around animal, feed and farm-level factors that influence rumination activity.
Our latest episode in our four-part, worm-themed podcast series focuses on setting up forage crops for success, to maximise the chances of crops helping beat the worms in lambs and calves. Forage crops fit so very well into the worm-battling, whole-farm based Wormwise ‘FARMED’ approach to managing youngstock on farm (F=Feed, A=Avoidance, R=Refugia, M=Monitor and ED=Effective Drenches) https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/wormwise-resource-book In the podcast, hear how to optimise the chance of achieving low populations of worm eggs and larvae within your crop. We’ll revisit the importance of monitoring lambs and calves on crop through faecal egg counting, and (ideally) the regular weighing of youngstock. Finally, we’ll bring together the theory of cropping and reduced worm burdens in lambs and calves with proof of concept, farm level research. Hear about recent research by PGG Wrightson Seeds and PGG Wrightson Ltd that demonstrates that forage cropping is a viable option to reduce drench use on farm. For more information about the forage crop vs. internal parasite (worm) research, read the research paper by Westwood et al (2025) Liveweight gain and faecal nematode egg counts from Romney lambs grazing five contrasting forage treatments. New Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production Vol 85. 61-66 https://www.nzsap.org/proceedings/brief-communication-liveweight-gain-and-faecal-nematode-egg-counts-romney-lambs-grazing
Ongoing resistance challenges by sheep and cattle worms to drenches - what a headache for us!! We're now needing alternative, non-drench strategies to work alongside a more limited and targeted use of effective drenches to beat worms. Might forage crops help reduce the need for regular, repeated drenching of our lambs and calves? YES, potentially! Forage crops fit perfectly into the worm-battling, whole farm based 'FARMED' approach endorsed by Wormwise (F=Feed, A=Avoidance, R=Refugia, M=Monitor and ED=Effective Drenches). https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/wormwise-resource-book Forage crops work in at least two different ways to battle worms - based on the FARMED approach to worm control. Compared to pasture feeding, crops can deliver better ruminant nutrition (feed = F) and help animals avoid ingesting large numbers of infective L3 worm larvae (avoidance = A). Our latest podcast dives deep into detail around forage crops vs worms. Listen in to hear more about how and why forage crops might be the extra tool in the toolkit you’ve been looking for to help win the battle against worms.
Could bigger, faster-growing young ruminants be better equipped to handle incoming worm L3 larvae than smaller, slower growing animals of the same age? Yes, potentially! In our latest podcast, the second in our four part series all about nutrition and worms, we explore the reasons why fast growing heavier lambs and calves (expressed as a % of mature weight) are potentially more resilient in the face of incoming infective L3 worm larvae. Practical farm-level strategies to grow young stock faster are discussed. The importance of improved maternal nutrition as a key driver for well grown young stock is covered. Better nutrition of ewes to improve placental development, together with better nutrition during late pregnancy increases lamb birthweight and improves lamb survival. Higher lamb birthweights mean better weaning weights, more prime lambs away off mum, better forward store lambs, and/or lambs finished off farm sooner = fewer drenches per lamb. Better, faster grown young stock will be one useful ‘tool in the toolkit’ to consider in our on-farm battle against worms. For more information about ruminant nutrition and worms, refer back to Episode 68. Subscribe so that you don't miss out on our next episode, number 70, all to do with nutrition, forage crops and internal parasites!
How might improving the nutrition of young sheep and cattle help with our battle against sheep and cattle internal parasites (worms) that’re resistant to common anthelmintics (drenches)? Our latest podcast explores ways in which improved nutrition of lambs and calves might reduce our reliance on regular, repeated use of drenches to control worms. This is part 1 of a 4 part miniseries that will explore the role for improved nutrition as a “tool in the toolkit” to consider when you’re dealing with problems of worm resistance on farm. Part 1 covers how and why worm burdens reduce the performance of parasitised lambs and calves. Hear about the importance of dietary protein in helping young stock cope with worm burdens, and the role for high quality forages in helping to keep young stock well. Keep an eye (ear?) out for the next part of this four part series, subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes!