pH value in the bovine rumen

The feed of a ruminant, which is normally difficult or impossible to digest, is broken down and processed in the forestomach by microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, rumen ciliates) and thus made digestible for the cattle. For this fermentation chamber to function properly (and for the animal to remain healthy), a pH value of 5.8 to 7.2 is required. This optimal pH value is maintained when feeding a diet appropriate for ruminants. However, if too much concentrated feed and too little high-fiber feed (hay, straw, possibly silage) is fed, the pH value in the rumen drops, and the microbial environment becomes unbalanced. The rumen ciliates, visible under a microscope and which thrive at pH 7 and pH 6, die at pH 5 and pH 4. The cattle suffer from rumen acidosis, which leads to a multitude of other animal health problems (ruminitis, pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, ketosis, hoof and fertility problems, reduced performance, etc.). The videos are an attempt to illustrate the problem of rumen acidosis.