Rumination Time in Four Breeds of Dairy Cattle

Initial research showed significant differences between individual cattle in their rumination response to equal amounts of cell wall constituent intake.Two further experiments were conducted to determine if dairy cattle breeds differ in their rumination time.In Experiment 2, eight Guernseys had lower (P < .05)24-hour rumination times than did eight Holsteins, eight Ayrshires, and eight Jerseys.When corrected for cell wall constituent intake and body weight kilogram .7~ the Guernsey average rumination time was lower than the Holstein average (P < .05)and the Jersey average (P < .01).In a third experiment eight lactating Guernseys averaged lower (P < .05)total rumination times, as well as minutes rumination corrected for cell wall constituent intake and body weight kilogram .7'~,than did eight lactating Jerseys.