Alberta's cattle see their feed change rapidly throughout their growth cycle. Milk and fresh grasses give way to stockpiled forages or dry hay and grain as the calves grow. The feed shift is compounded by other unique challenges for Albertan cattle like the distances they must travel from farm to auction and then auction to feedlot. During periods spent in loading areas and trailers, animals can go hours without sufficient access to feed. Many animals bear the interruption without any problems. Some, however, do not.
Like rapid shifts in feed, feed restriction can contribute to acidosis – a situation where acid builds in the animal's stomach, the inner lining becomes inflamed and ulcers form. This compromises gut function, making it difficult for the animal to properly breakdown and absorb nutrients from its feed. If gut function cannot recover, the condition will develop into full blown acidosis.
Dr. Gregory Penner of the University of Saskatchewan has spent years studying acidosis and related factors. His recently completed research project focused on the problem of feed restriction in feedlot cattle and its impact on gut function.