Impact of forage particle size on eating behavior and rumen fermentation

By S.M. Nasrollahi, M. Imani, Q. Zebeli

Published on 01/09/2016

Title of the scientific publication: “A meta-analysis and meta-regression of the impact of particle size, level, source and preservation method of forages on chewing behavior and ruminal fermentation in dairy cows”

A large meta-analysis confirms the impact of forage particle size on dairy cows chewing activity and rumen fermentation. Main conclusions are that  rumination behavior and ruminal fermentation are improved with coarse forage particle size and that decreasing of particle size size have significant  impact on lowered eating , rumination, and total chewing time.

Click here to see the abstract from Animal Feed Science and Technology.