baking soda

Overview

The feed eaten by the cow is utilized by microorganisms in the rumen (first stomach) to produce VFA (volatile lower fatty acids). The VFA is the source of nutrition for the cow. However, in hot weather, cows eat less and prefer to eat concentrate feed, which increases the amount of propionic and butyric acids in the VFAs, causing the pH in the rumen to drop dramatically. Furthermore, the production of lactic acid further lowers the pH in the rumen. This is the so-called rumen acidosis. Also, when cows are exposed to heat stress, they produce less saliva than usual and are unable to directly control the pH decrease in the rumen. Once rumen acidosis occurs, it leads to decreased appetite, lower milk yield and milk fat percentage, and soft stools. Severe cases can also lead to cessation of appetite, muscle tremors, foamy soft stools, eye hollowing due to dehydration, and even death. Baking soda is alkaline, and eating it neutralizes the VFA in the rumen and maintains the pH. It is compared with the example for human, it is like a stomach medicine that you take when you eat too much and have an upset stomach. Also, for this reason, feeding baking soda can prevent rumen acidosis and is one of the best ways to prevent heat exhaustion.