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Is there a vaccine to keep my show cattle from foundering?

Last Updated: October 08, 2010

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Not that we are aware of. Founder is caused by a reduction in pH in the rumen making the rumen acidic. That is why another name for founder is acidosis. When starch is digested rapidly, the rumen becomes acidic and therefore acidosis. Following are some management practices that will help you manage founder.

* Use cracked corn (meaning you can still see some whole kernels) and not fine ground corn.

* When the calf is on the finishing diet, the diet needs to be at least 15% roughage (hay).

* Include an ionophore, such as Rumensin or Bovatec, or others, in the ration. Feed as directed on the feed tag.

* Although it isn't used much in beef cattle diets, sodium bicarbonate can be included in the diet to help keep the rumen pH more neutral.

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