Animals fed on concentrate-rich diets ( 60%), may go off-feed due to ruminal acidosis. A low pH is detrimental to the rumen fibre digesting bacteria which may cause a depression in fat content in the milk. It can also affect the animal’s health status. In such cases, use of a buffer is rec- ommended comprising sodium bi-carbonate and magnesium oxide (3:1) to be fed @ 50–75 g per animal per day. Alternatively it is possible to introduce some longer physical fibre into the ration (. paddy straw) to promote rumination and saliva production. Buffers, either provided in the ration or produced.
