RESULTS
Circadian changes in pH and temperature in the ruminal
fluid: Mean ruminal pH at 60-min intervals in cows fed the C
diet decreased slightly following the morning feeding (8:00
hr, mean pH 6.82), reached their lowest level (pH 6.46) 11
hr later (19:00 hr), and then increased gradually by the next
morning (7:00 hr, pH 6.91). The pH reached its lowest level
(pH 5.45) 12 hr later in cows fed the RAI diet, although
fluctuations in ruminal pH resembled those of cows fed the
C diet (Fig. 1). Ruminal pH in cows fed the C diet was significantly
(P