The use of Mahad leaf pellet feed affects the fermentation process and rumen micro-biota in beef cattle

Abstract The study’s objective was to assess how Mahad leaf pellet feed affected the microbial ecology and rumen fermentation in beef cattle. Using a 4×4 Latin square design, 4 Brahman crossbred heifers weighing 250 ± 40 kg (1–1.5 years old) were randomly allocated to each of the following treatments: The powder for concentration in the experiment following: (1) Control (0 g concentrate powder), (2) 50 g concentrate powder, (3) 100 g concentrate powder, and (4) 150 g concentrate powder. The cows received ad libitum rice straw and concentrate at 1% BW. None of the treatments affected ruminal temperature, NH 3 -N, microbial protein production, or pH. Hematocrit (Hct) and blood urea N were unaffected by the addition of Mahad leaf pellet feed. On the other hand, the addition of Mahad leaf pellet feed to the diet led to a linear reduction in the ruminal concentration of acetic acid (P = 0.01) and an increase in the ruminal concentration of propionic acid (P = 0.02). We projected a decrease in ruminal CH 4 production (P = 0.02) as the amount of Mahad leaf pellet feed in the diet increased. The addition of Mahad leaf pellet feed to the diet resulted in a linear decrease in the protozoal population (P = 0.01) as the amount increased. According to the current study, Mahad leaf pellet feed alters ruminal fermentation by reducing the acetate-to-propionate ratio and estimating the amount of CH 3 produced. It has no influence on ruminal pH, microbial synthesis or blood parameters. Decreases in the ruminal protozoa may account for some of the changes in ruminal fermentation parameters. The ideal level for animal feed supplementation is 150 g of the total ration, as supplementing beyond 150 g of the concentrate portion did not significantly enhance these beneficial effects.