It needs to be balanced with effective fiber, as discussed below. The digestible energy sources need to be balanced with highly digestible rumen nitrogen sources that provide peptides, amino acids and ammonia. A highly digestible diet will enhance the digestive efficiency of the microbes. When long fibers stimulate the cow to chew her cud, the saliva produced helps to neutralize the rumen pH. Additionally, dietary buffers, such as sodium bicarbonate, can be used to help buffer rumen acidity. Additionally, low ruminal pH impedes the efficiency at which microbes digest feed and grow.
Producers can minimize fluctuations in pH by good feed management.
The long fiber that stimulates chewing is referred to as effective fiber. Effective fiber can be evaluated by watching the cows. It is also important to monitor the particle size of the forage. A set of particle sizing screens can be used during harvesting to determine if chopper knives can be adjusted to lengthen particle size. It is better to correct particle size while the forage is being harvested.