Subacute rumen acidosis is a common and economically important herd health problem of dairy cattle and there is a crucial need for monitoring systems.
Therefore an indwelling wireless data transfer system for monitoring rumen ph and temperature was assembled. Measurement times were user selectable, in our trials measurements were taken every 30 minutes. Stored data were transmitted using ISM band (433 mHz). The system was controlled by a microprocessor. Data (pH, temperature) were sampled with an Analog to Digital converter (A/D converter) and stored in an external memory chip. The indwelling system could be administered orally, but to service the measuring units, experiments were conducted using 5 ruminally cannulated steers.
After calibrating by using standardized pH-dilutions (pH4, pH7) and check for proper operation, rumen-pH and temperature measures were carried out under different feeding conditions.
In feeding experiment 1, 100% roughage (hay) ad. lib. was given to the animals for 7 days.
In feeding experiment 2, animals had daily pasture (from 4.30 am to 4:30 pm) and forage ad lib. (from 5:00 pm to 4:00 am) for 3 weeks.
In feeding experiment 3, animals received a diet containing forage: concentrate 50:50 for 7 days.
Measurements of rumen pH and temperature were taken for a period of 7 days in all trials.
Statistical analysis was conducted using GLM (Statgraphic Plus 5.1) and Bonferroni-Holm test.
In feeding experiment 1, rumen temperature (mean 38.40±0.70° C) was influenced significantly by drinking water but it is not connected with feeding time. Mean pH was 6.49±0.39 and nadir was pH 6.14.
In feeding experiment 2, mean rumen temperature was 38.12±0.80° C and mean pH was 6.36±0.22. Nadir during pasture was pH 5.34, nadir during roughage was 6.16. Pasture had a significant influence on rumen pH.
In feeding experiment 3, mean rumen temperature was 38.55±0.83° C and mean pH was 6.37±0.24. Nadir was pH 5.29. Decline of rumen pH was significantly related to the feeding of concentrate.
When comparing results of measuring standardized dilutions (pH 4, pH 7) before and after in vivo measurements, coefficient of correlation was 0.9987. Drift pH 4 was 0.197 ± 0.070 and drift pH 7 was 0.107 ± 0.088
Results indicate that the present method is a useful and proper tool for scientific applications. As the measuring system can also be administered to uninjured cattle, an adapted rumen pH measuring system will also be assembled for practical purposes in future.
