Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is the predominant digestive disorder in feedlot cattle, but the exact timing and ruminal pH parameters associated with SARA are still debated. The need for continuous monitoring of ruminal pH to help define SARA has led to the development of indwelling pH monitoring boli. Direct comparisons of ruminal pH measurements determined using these technologies are not available. We evaluated ruminal pH measurements determined using smaXtec boli, Moonsyst boli, and a handheld pH meter over a 126-d period and during an ex vivo acidosis challenge. Overall, data suggest that Moonsyst and smaXtec pH monitoring boli yield variable pH measurements when compared with a handheld pH meter, and both boli began drifting from known pH solutions after more than 85 d after the start of the experiment.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.