The increased changes of pectinolytic, proteolytic and amylolytic bacterial population as influenced by weaning diets indicated the adjustment and adaptation of ruminal bacteria, with and without calf starter, in carabao calves.

Moreover, early introduction of weaning diets has been found to promote early development of the rumen and other digestive compartments such as reticulum, omasum and abomasum which influence early weaning of calves.

These were the findings from a research study conducted by PCC at CLSU experts  titled “Microbiota Dynamics of Water Buffalo Rumen” ,which was done to enhance the feeding formulation and weaning management of buffalo calves.

The study was conducted to isolate, characterize, identify and compare the functional bacterial population existing and are adapting in the digestive tract fluid of buffalo calves as affected by weaning diets with and without the inclusion of calf starter through cultural, morphological and biochemical analysis.

In the study, ten calves were divided into two groups: the control group and the treatment group, with five calves in each group. They were assigned to two weaning diets. The control group was fed with raw milk, grass (Pakchong 1), and calf pellets while the treatment group was fed with raw milk and grass (Pakchong 1) only.

The researchers isolated pectinolytic, proteolytic and amylolytic bacteria from the digestive tract fluid of  the calves. Collection of fluid was done on the 1st, 6th, 16th and 30th day since the calves’ birth. Then, the isolates were characterized through cultural, morphological and biochemical analysis.

The study assessed and analyzed the colony counts of functional bacterial population to compare the distribution of colony counts adjusting to the weaning diets used in the study.

Both weaning diets exhibited increasing counts of colony. The population of pectinolytic, proteolytic and amylolytic functional bacteria were all rising.

Also, the isolated bacteria were found to acquire multifunctional bacterial properties, which are necessary to convert and absorb feed nutrients and provide calves their needed energy.

The high fiber content of Pakchong 1’ and high protein content of colostrum and calf starter, together with the minimum content of moisture, ash, and fat, promote the gradual growth of functional bacteria as the calves feeding consumption increases.

Statistically analyzed, results showed that there was no significant difference between the control group and treatment group of weaning diets. This implied that functional bacterial population increasingly changed due to early weaning diets with and without calf starter. It indicated that the adaptation and adjustment of ruminal bacterial population took place.

Gradual increase in the functional bacterial population played an important role in the rumen development which resulted in the attainment of the calves’ full performance and productivity.

The researchers recommend further studies in order to obtain conclusive data. They suggested that the number of experimental calves be increased, feeding and sampling period be prolonged up to 90 days and anatomical and histological studies of the digestive system as influenced by weaning diets be evaluated.

The researchers were Cristy A. Singh, Khristina J. Cruz, Cynthia C. Divina, Viña Kristina D. Serrano, Perla Florendo, Daniel L. Aquino. They initiated the study in August 2016 and completed it last April.