332 Evaluating the Effects of Lactic Acid Adaptation in Beef Cattle Prior to an Acidosis Challenge

Abstract The objective was to determine if a 7-day lactic acid adaptation in cannulated steers affected ruminal fermentation during an acidosis challenge. Steers (n=18; 790 ± 68 kg) were assigned one of two treatments: control (CON) 500 mL H2O or 1 mM DL-Lactic solution per kg steer BW (LAC). dosed with treatments via the cannula prior feeding for seven days period. diet consisted 25% corn silage, 30% grass hay, 15% dry distillers grains, rolled corn, 5% molasses and 10% supplement. To induce acidosis, fasted 24 hours subsequently fed high concentrate consisting 55% moisture molasses, Rumen fluid collected throughout challenge measure characteristics including rumen pH, redox, ammonia, volatile fatty acids, acid. Data analyzed using MIXED procedure SAS 9.4 repeated measures analysis. Dry matter intake not (P ≥ 0.65) by treatment before after A × time interaction observed = 0.83) but pH < 0.01) remained between 5.6 5.0 about 14 hour tended 0.08) be lactate; LAC had greater concentration than CON at However, detected 0.38) fecal redox potential. In conclusion, these results indicate that adaption did affect