Bloat in cattle

Fluctuations of lipid‐bound sugars in growing red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) have been investigated. The clover leaves contained significantly higher levels of lipid‐bound sugar than did the stems plus petioles. Levels in the leaves showed a significant change with season, being lowest in mid to late summer, but they appeared to be independent of the stage of maturity of the clover plant. Evidence for diurnal fluctuations in lipid‐bound sugars was obtained on some occasions but not on others. No correlation between levels of lipid‐bound sugars and bloatiness in the clover was obtained. The release and subsequent loss of galactolipids in the rumen was studied in identical twin cows feeding on red clover. The galactolipids were rapidly released and rapidly degraded. The time of maximum release of galactolipid in the rumen was significantly different for the two twin pairs used but did not show any correlation with bloat in the animals.