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So what is rumen acidosis? What causes it? What are the signs and what can you you do about it.  Enjoy this last episode of season 2! 

What is acidosis?

Grain overload (acidosis, grain poisoning) occurs when cattle, sheep or goats eat large amounts of grain. The grain releases carbohydrate into the animal's rumen and this rapidly ferments rather than being digested normally. Bacteria in the rumen produce lactic acid, resulting in acidosis, slowing of the gut, dehydration and often death.

What causes it?

Wheat and barley are the most common causes of grain overload, but it occasionally occurs with oats and lupins. Crushing or cracking of grain by a hammermill increases the likelihood of grain overload, because these processes result in quicker release of carbohydrates.

Cases are often seen when:

• stock are suddenly grain fed without being gradually introduced to the grain or pellets
• there is a sudden change in feeding regimen or in the grains being fed
• stock graze newly harvested paddocks (where there may be spilled grain or unharvested areas)
• stock get unplanned access to grain or pellets, such as around silos.

How can I prevent acidosis?

Acidosis can be prevented by gradually introducing animals to grain or pellets. The amount of grain and the time taken to adapt sheep to grain depends on:

• availability of hay and other feed
• type of grain being fed
• aims of feeding (such as for weaners for sale or for lactating ewes).

Some useful guidelines for preventing acidosis in stock are:

• Use oats and lupins in preference to, or before transitioning to, wheat or barley.
• During the introduction phase, feed grain daily.
• Introduce oats to sheep by starting with 50 grams on the first day, followed by increases of 50g per head per day until the required ration is reached.
• Ensure sheep always have access to roughage as well as fed grain.
• Introduce oats to cattle by starting with 500g per head per day, followed by increases of 500g per head every fourth day until the required ration is reached.
• Monitor your herd or flock for signs of scouring, depression, lethargy and lameness, which will indicate that the amount of grain being fed is being increased too fast.
• Check pulpy kidney vaccinations are up to date and vaccinate if necessary before grain feeding.

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