Achieving high levels of dairy performance requires feeding dairy cows highly fermentable diets that meet their increasing energy and nutrient demands. However, such diets often elevate levels of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the rumen, which can result in a drop in rumen pH and lead to sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA). This presents a serious challenge to rumen health and dairy productivity.
The Acidosis Challenge
Balancing high-energy diets with enough physically effective fibre to prevent rumen acidosis is complex. Rumen buffers – specifically mineral-based feed supplements -offer a practical and effective solution for maintaining rumen pH and avoiding the negative consequences of low pH.
SARA is defined as a drop in rumen pH below 5.6 for more than three hours per day per cow. Diagnosing SARA on farm is difficult, yet it is estimated to affect up to 20% of dairy cows globally. Notably, even cows grazing pasture-based diets are at risk.
Certain periods and feeding strategies significantly increase the risk of SARA, including:
- The transition period
- Peak milk production
- Peak dry matter intake
- Diets high in starch and sugar
- Diets low in physically effective fibre
Sustained periods of low rumen pH can cause:
- Reduced populations of beneficial rumen microbes
- Lower milk butterfat content
- Decreased fibre digestion
- Inflammation
- Diarrhoea
- Liver abscesses
Acid Buf: A Novel Rumen Buffer for Dairy Cows
Acid Buf is a natural rumen buffer derived from marine algae, offering a unique marine mineral matrix that helps neutralise excess acid in the rumen. In addition to regulating pH, Acid Buf provides 74 bioavailable minerals, including calcium and magnesium, which support overall rumen health and function.
Independent studies have shown the effectiveness of Acid Buf in improving dairy performance:
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- Increased feed efficiency (Bernard et al., 2014)
- Improved rumen pH and fermentation (Cruywagen et al., 2015)
- Enhanced dry matter intake and milk protein production (Wu et al., 2015)
Acid Buf: A Novel Rumen Buffer for Dairy Cows
A comprehensive study by Neville et al. (2019), published in the Journal of Dairy Science, evaluated Acid Buf against sodium bicarbonate and a control diet in mid-lactation dairy cows. The study was conducted under typical European feeding conditions using a total mixed ration (TMR) based on ryegrass silage and maize silage.
Two experiments were conducted:
- Experiment 1: Monitored rumen pH using three rumen-cannulated cows.
- Experiment 2: Measured production performance in 42 cows in mid-lactation.
Key findings from the research include:
Improved Rumen pH with Acid Buf
- Acid Buf increased mean rumen pH compared to both the control and sodium bicarbonate diets at multiple time points after feeding.
- Cows fed Acid Buf spent significantly less time with rumen pH below 5.5.
- Compared to sodium bicarbonate, Acid Buf provided more stable and prolonged pH buffering throughout the day.
Boosting Dairy Performance
Maintaining optimal rumen pH with Acid Buf led to tangible improvements in milk production and efficiency:
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- Dry matter intake was increased with sodium bicarbonate and Acid Buf compared to the control.
- Acid Buf delivered higher milk butterfat content than both the control and sodium bicarbonate.
- Milk protein content was also greater with Acid Buf than with sodium bicarbonate.
- Acid Buf resulted in the highest feed efficiency, producing 120 ml more milk per kg of dry matter intake compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Supporting Sustainable Dairy Performance
Incorporating Acid Buf into balanced, rumen-friendly dairy diets effectively stabilises rumen pH, helping to prevent rumen acidosis and improve overall dairy performance. The study by Neville et al. (2019) reinforces previous research by Cruywagen et al. (2015), confirming Acid Buf’s benefits in both challenging and well-balanced diets.
With rising pressure for sustainable milk production, enhancing feed efficiency is essential. Acid Buf helps achieve more milk solids per kg of feed consumed, aligning with environmental and economic goals for modern dairy farming.
Acid Buf Delivers:
- Improved milk yield and milk butterfat
- Consistent rumen pH regulation
- Reduced risk of subclinical acidosis (SARA)
- Higher productivity per kg of dry matter intake
- Progress towards global agricultural sustainability targets
For those looking to boost dairy herd performance while supporting rumen health, Acid Buf offers a proven, natural solution backed by independent research.
