Calf - The Rumen of a Calf

• At birth, the rumen is microbe free
• Need to promote rapid establishment of the rumen microflora.
• The calf rumen is inoculated via mother’s saliva.
• However, early separation often occurs before process is complete.
  • estimated that approx 90% of calves are separated from mother within 24 hrs
• Critical as ‘the development of the rumen microbial population follows a very precise pattern’ (Fonty and Chaucheyras 2003)
• Feeding rumen specific live yeast will accelerate microbial colonization in the young calf’s rumen.