35. Rumen bloat (“frost bloat”) in cattle that eat frosted, frozen winter pastures and forage crops

During mid-winter, it’s not uncommon to start the morning with frosted forages (pastures, winter brassicas, fodder beet and green feed cereals).  For break / strip grazed animals that are hungrily waiting for their regular shift onto a new break, frosted forages can potentially increase risk of rumen bloat or "frost bloat".  In this our latest “bite-sized” Rumen Room Podcast, we cover why grazing ruminants, cattle particularly, are at greater risk of rumen bloat when they eat frozen pastures and winter forage crops. Preventative strategies that reduce risk of “frost bloat” in animals that graze frozen, frosted forages are discussed.