PSVII-15 - Effects of electrolyzed reduced water on intake, digestion and ruminal fermentation parameters in beef cattle

The effect of electrolyzed reduced water consumption by cattle is not well defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrolyzed reduced water on intake, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), ORP and pH in four ruminally cannulated steers (4 Bos taurus; 317 kg BW). Steers were subjected to a two period (14 d), two treatment crossover design. Treatment included: 1) standard water (CON; pH = 7.0 ± 1.0) or 2) electrolyzed reduced water (ERW; pH = 9.0 ± 1.0). The project comprised of two studies where the effects of ERW were observed for steers consuming a roughage diet (phase 1) or concentrate diet (phase 2). During Phase 1, animals were provided bermudagrass hay ad libitum. A 14 d transition period followed phase 1 to allow transition of diets. In phase 2, animals were maintained on a concentrate diet. During each period, d 1-8 served as a treatment adaptation phase, d 9-13 allowed for measures of intake and digestion, and rumen fluid was collected at h 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 after feeding on d 14 for VFA, pH and ORP analysis. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Intake, digestion, and ruminal fermentation parameters were not different for CON vs ERW steers (P ≥ 0.06). Analysis of VFA data have not been finalized and will be reported later. Results indicate that ERW has no effect on intake, digestion or ruminal fermentation parameters of steers consuming roughage or concentrate diets.