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Rumen bacterial and protozoal populations in cattle being relocated in tropical Queensland

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Klieve, A.V., Holroyd, R.G., Turner, A.F. and Lindsay, J.A. (1998) Rumen bacterial and protozoal populations in cattle being relocated in tropical Queensland. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 49 (7). pp. 1153-1159.

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/A97164

Publisher URL: http://www.publish.csiro.au

Abstract

Rumen microbial populations were measured in Brahman-cross steers that were relocated from spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) dominant pastures in northern Queensland to buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliasis) dominant pastures in central Queensland, to assess whether aspects of rumen function may contribute to the sometimes reported depressed growth rates following relocation.

Nine genera of ciliate protozoa (Isotricha, Dasytricha, Entodinia, Epidinium, Diplodinium, Ostracodinium, Metadinium, Elytroplastron, and Eudiplodinium) were recorded in the rumen fluid of the steers. In most steers all genera were present at any time and the generic mix persisted throughout the 10 months over which the study was conducted. Protozoal population composition fluctuated only slightly over the sampling period. Entodinia were predominant, occupying 50-70% of the population. Population density varied according to season, with the highest density (4-8×105 /mL rumen fluid) occurring in the wet season.

Bacterial and protozoal populations were remarkably stable and little affected by relocation. Again, the major impact on population density was the season, with all carbohydrate (soluble sugar, starch, xylan, and cellulose) utilising bacterial subpopulations reaching the greatest density with the onset of the wet season.

Item Type:Article
Additional Information:Reproduced with permission from © CSIRO Publishing. Access to published version may be available via Publisher’s website.
Keywords:Protozoa; Bacteria; Spear grass; Buffel grass; Seasonal variation; Brahman-cross cattle; Relocation.
Subjects:Animal culture > Cattle
Live Archive:07 May 2004
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:47

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