The document discusses the complex microbial ecosystem in the rumen of ruminant animals, detailing the various types of microbes involved in the fermentation and digestion of feed. It highlights the importance of maintaining an optimal pH level for microbial health and the need for careful feeding practices to prevent negative health impacts. Additionally, the document references sources that elaborate on these digestive processes and the interactions between different microbial species.

1. Ruminant Animals b.stev

2. THE RUMEN EACH millilitre of rumen digestive juice: 10 – 50 billion MICROBES 1 million PROTOZOA variable YEASTS & FUNGI environmen t of the rumen is ANAEROBIC fermentation process of digestion: helped by these MICROBES (Bowen, 2006)

3. The interaction between the different species of microbes aid each in their metabolic processes WASTES that are produced from one species is the nutrient to the metabolism of another A complex FOOD web oseopgeus gases today’s hay grain & yesterday’s hay THE RUMEN (Bowen, 2006)

4. CELLULOLYTIC – DIGEST cellulose HEMICELLULOLYTIC – hemicellulose AMYLOLYTIC – starch PROTEOLYTIC – proteins SUGAR utilizers – simple saccharides AMMONIA producers VITAMIN synthesisers METHANE producers LIST of the MICROBES within: (Bowen, 2006)

5. THE RUMEN is acidic : ‘ BICARBONATE ’ - is produced in saliva helps to maintain equilibrium A COW produces 100 – 150 L per day chewed feed - periodically returned from the rumen mouth where it is chewed again

6. AN EXAMPLE: COWS fed with grains have considerably lower concentrations cellulolytic species (Wikipedia, 2008)

7. THE RUMEN pH is most favourable at : 6 – 7 severe pH fluctuations alter: microbe population INTRODUCTION : new feed must be done: – little and often ALLOW normal / gorge FEEDING DEPLETE A MICROBE TO EXTINCTION & SERIOUS HEALTH EFFECTS CAN OCCUR CARE is required : feeding the animal

8. Bibliography Wikipedia. (2008). Rumen – wikipedia, the free enclyclopedia . Retrieved September 28, 2008, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Rumen - 35k - Bowen. R. (2006). Digestive physiology of herbivores . Retrieved September 28, 2008, from http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion /herbivores/index.html