Dr. Ted McCollum, Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo, said bloating has been a problem mostly in the South Plains this year and has been increasing as weather improves and forage becomes lush. McCollum said bloat problems occur when forage begins to grow after being dormant all winter. He said high soil moisture will cause increased growth and add to bloating problems. The only way to completely prevent bloat is to take the cattle off pasture,'' said McCollum. Dr. Dennis Herd of College Station, Extension beef cattle specialist, said bloating happens when cattle cannot release gas from the rumen.
Lush forage contains proteins that cause a bubbly mass in the rumen that traps gas.
If an animal bloats, the rumen wall may need to be pierced to allow gas to escape, which can put the animal at risk for infection. Cloudy weather causes changes in growth of forage and contributes to problems with bloating, grass tetany and nitrate accumulation. Herd said the incidence of these problems decreases as forage matures and decreases protein content. He said feed additives can help prevent bloating. Herd said Rumensin is another additive that can be given at 200 milligrams per head per day in 1 to 2 pounds of a supplemental feed to reduce wheat-pasture bloat.