Effects of feed additives on rumen fermentation

Feed additives can be used in ruminant feeding programmes to manipulate rumen fermentation and direct it favourably. The following is a review of these additives, each of which has a specific role and mode of action in the fermentation process. Buffers The addition of sodium bicarbonate to the cow’s diet can increase the rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and alter their molar proportion toward a higher proportion of acetate: propionate ratio. In a study with cows fed 75% concen