One question, one referenced answer, readable in about a minute.
What does urine pH really tell us in close-up cows?+
Urine pH shows whether an anionic close-up diet has actually shifted the cow's acid-base status. For Holsteins, a group average of about 5.5–6.0 indicates full acidification. Above 7.0, the diet is having little effect.
It does not measure blood calcium, and one cow tells you little. Sample 8–12 cows at the same time relative to feeding and look at the spread as well as the average.
Why do cows sort against long particles?+
Cows pick the finer, more palatable part of the TMR first. Long, dry hay or straw is easy to push aside, especially when the ration is dry or chop length is uneven.
They then eat more concentrate early in the day than intended, which raises acidosis risk. Rising upper-screen values in the refusals confirm sorting.
Leonardi & Armentano, 2003. J. Dairy Sci. 86:557–564
Why does starch digestibility change after ensiling?+
In corn grain, starch granules sit inside a protein matrix of prolamins (zein) that limits microbial access. During fermentation, proteolysis gradually breaks this matrix down.
As a result, ruminal starch digestibility of corn silage and high-moisture corn keeps rising over several months of storage. A ration balanced at silo opening can become more fermentable later.
Hoffman et al., 2011. J. Dairy Sci. 94:2465–2474
How much sodium bicarbonate is actually needed?+
A common inclusion is about 0.75% of ration DM, roughly 180–200 g per cow per day at 25 kg DMI.
The response is largest in corn silage-based, high-starch rations with limited effective fiber, and often small in hay-based rations. A buffer supports rumen pH but does not fix a ration that is short of effective fiber.
I'm Tolga Akay, an animal nutritionist working between research and practice.
At Global Nutritech, a feed additive and premix manufacturer in Türkiye, I coordinate R&D and manage the laboratory, where I run analyses such as particle-size assessment and feed evaluation.
Alongside this work I am completing a master's degree in animal nutrition. This site is where I publish technical writing on rumen physiology, transition cow management and feed evaluation, based on peer-reviewed references.
A short call or message exchange to understand your herd or product, the problem and your goals.
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Data & samples
You share the current ration, feed analyses and herd records. Where needed, TMR and forage samples are taken for laboratory analysis.
03
Analysis & report
Laboratory results are combined with field checks such as particle size, urine pH and manure scoring. You receive a written report with clear, prioritised recommendations.
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Implementation & follow-up
Changes are applied step by step, and we track the results together through intake, milk yield, components and health records.
What to prepare
Current ration printout
Recent feed & forage analyses
Herd size & production level
Milk records (yield, fat, protein)
Recent health events
Work together
Consulting for farms, veterinarians and feed companies
Send a short description of the herd or product and what you would like to solve.
Ration evaluationFormulation, forage analysis and what cows actually eat.
Transition cow programsClose-up and fresh diets, DCAD and urine pH monitoring.
