Effect of Temperature on Food and Water Intake and Rumen Fermentation

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Abstract
The purpose was to determine volatile fatty acid concentrations at normal (18 C) and high (35 C) ambient temperature, and to determine the effect of increasing the rumen temperature with an intra- ruminal heating coil in an 18 C ambient temperature. Four nonlactating, fistulated Holstein cows were placed in a climati- cally controlled chamber. Treatments were (18) ambient temperature )8.2 C; (35) ambient temperature 35 C; (18-43) ambi- ent temperature 18.2 C, intraruminal coil temperature 43.4 C; and (18-51) am- bient temperature 18.2 C, intraruminal coil temperature 51.0 C. Analysis of vari- ance indicated that significant differences (P < 0.05) for acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, rumen tenlperature, rectal temperature, feed intake, and water intake were observed. Cows subjected to 18.2 C ambient tem- perature~ but whose rumen temperatures were increased by intraruminal heating coils, consumed significantly less (P < 0.05) feed and water than cows subjected to the other treatments. The data indicate that lower ruminal volatile fatty acid concentrations which occur at high ambient temperatures can- not be explained by changes in ruminal temperature.