Bloat Prevention in Pasture Fed Beef

Cattle

Updated: January 2007

AG0569
ISSN 1329-8062

Rob Greenall, Ellinbank and John Graham, Hamilton

Bloat is a seasonal problem in both dairy and beef cattle.
The condition is usually precipitated by the rapid
consumption of lush legume pasture species (especially
clover and lucerne) in spring. Irrigated pastures in
summer or good pasture growth in autumn may pose
problems in some districts. Occasionally young growing
rye grass species, high in soluble protein, are also
implicated.

Signs of bloat

Bloat is caused by an increase in the gas pressure within

the rumen (paunch) as these feeds are fermented. The gas
cannot be belched up normally and death results from the
pressure causing heart and lung failure. The gas is often
trapped in the form of a stable foam.
Traditional methods of bloat prevention rely on chemicals
which break up the foam and release the gas. To be
effective, anti foaming agents must be given twice daily to
every animal. This fits in well with the management on
dairy farms where cows can be drenched or the pasture
sprayed daily before strip grazing. They are less suitable
for beef farmers as they require frequent handling of stock
and high labour inputs. A full description of these methods
is given in the Agriculture Note Controlling bloat in dairy
cows.
Beef farmers demand less intensive methods of bloat
control. It is important to realise however, that less
intensive control methods are usually less effective. A
choice must be made between removing the cattle from
bloat inducing pastures or providing each animal with
preventative medicine through the entire bloat season.

Animal management
Bloat is often triggered by cattle gorging themselves with
legume rich pasture. Hungry cattle should not be allowed
access to these areas. Feeding out grass hay a few hours
before the cattle are moved into a new paddock will reduce
their appetite. Watch the animals carefully for the next 2 3 hours and remove them if any begin to bloat.
If faced with a choice, cattle should be introduced into the
paddock with the longer pasture sward. An increase in the
height of the clover will generally decrease the risk of
bloat. Clover in flower is safer to graze than the less
mature stages.
Cattle will learn to moderate their pasture intake to control
the extent of bloating and discomfort. This occurs over
several weeks. Older cattle are better at adapting their
grazing behaviour than younger animals.

State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries

Cattle with bloat may display the following signs:

no longer grazing;

a reluctance to move;

distended left abdomen;

appear distressed vocalise, eyes bulging;

strain to urinate and defaecate;

rapid breathing mouth may be open with tongue

protruding;staggering.

The animal will go down in advanced cases. Death is

rapid at this stage, and is due to the swollen rumen
compressing the lungs, interfering with breathing and
obstructing blood flow.
Early/mild cases -Animals that are mildly affected can be
treated orally with an anti-bloat preparation. After dosing,
keep the animal moving to encourage the preparation to
mix with the frothy rumen contents.
Moderately affected stock Animals that are bloated and
starting to show signs of distress need veterinary
attention. A stomach tube can be used to relieve the gas
build-up. Anti-foaming agents can be delivered directly
into the rumen through the tube. Moving the animal
around after treatment is important.
Severe cases. These severely bloated and distressed
animals will need veterinary attention and rapid relief.
This is usually done by inserting a wide-bore trochar and
cannula into the rumen high on the left flank (where the
swelling is greatest). After gas and froth is released, an
anti-bloat preparation may be poured through the cannula
into the rumen to help break down remaining froth/foam
(dose according to label instructions. In emergency
situations, vegetable oil (250500 mL) or paraffin oil
(100200 mL) has traditionally been used.

Pasture management
Fast growing, clover dominant pastures should be avoided.
Newly sown clover is particularly dangerous. Mature
pastures with less than 30% clover content pose little risk
of bloat. Dew on the grass is said by some farmers to
increase the incidence of bloat. Farmers commonly state
that bloating is more severe on windy days.
Many paddocks will have areas of bloat inducing pasture
during the spring and autumn growing seasons. The clover
content in the pasture can vary markedly over a paddock.

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Bloat Prevention in Pasture Fed Beef Cattle

Cattle will also selectively graze succulent grasses and
legumes which makes assessing the risk of a pasture
difficult. Pasture management should not be solely relied
on to control bloat.
Increasing the fibre intake of cattle will reduce bloating.
Feeding grass hay daily can help to reduce the intake of
'bloaty' pasture. However some animals will eat the pasture
in preference to the hay. The protective effect is likely to
be very short term (a few hours) but has been found to be
effective on some farms.

Anti-bloat medication
There are several labour saving methods for the
administration of anti foaming agents to beef cattle,
however none are 100% effective. They are usually used in
conjunction with other management strategies to minimise
losses from bloat.
Sustained release anti-bloat capsules
Each capsule is approximately 150 mm in length and is
administered as a large plastic pellet down the throat and
into the rumen. They provide a continuous supply of
ingredient for 80 - 100 days and must be given one week
prior to the cattle being introduced onto 'bloaty' pasture. A
second capsule is required if the bloat season extends
beyond 100 days or if bloating occurs in your area during
other times of the year. The capsules have been found to
reduce bloat deaths by about 80%.
Trials have shown that cattle with capsules have an
increase in weight gain and milk production. The
manufacturer claims an extra 9 kg body weight over the
100 day period for beef cattle on good spring pasture. The
capsules can not be given to cattle under 200 kg body
weight.
Bloat blocks
Bloat blocks or licks place minimal demands on
management and so are popular with farmers. Several
types are on the market and many contain Teric 12A23B
which is an effective detergent. Bloat control relies on
each animal consuming an adequate daily dose of the
block. Cattle can be encouraged to use the blocks by

State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries

AG0569
placing them close to stock camps and watering points.
Alternative control methods are required for those
animals which do not use the blocks.
Water trough treatments
Medication of the cattle through their water supply is
another alternative. The addition of chemical makes the
water less palatable so all other water sources must be
fenced off. The daily dose that each animal receives
depends on the amount of water consumed and the
concentration of the chemical in the water.
The water consumption of individuals can vary substantially
depending on the water content of the pasture and the
weather. Intakes between zero and 65 litres per day are
possible!
The chemical in the trough will be diluted when fresh water
is released from the ball cock. This problem can be
overcome by shutting off the refilling mechanism and
replenishing the trough with chemical and water daily.
Otherwise a metering device which releases chemical with
the water will be required. Trough-Add is a product which
includes a coloured dye indicator to help farmers assess the
concentration of the chemical in the water. Frequent
addition of the concentrate is required to maintain
protection.
Hay treatments
Anti foaming agents may be added to the hay.
Unfortunately many of the detergents are not very
palatable.
The addition of tallow, a tallow and bloat oil proprietary
mix, or a 1:1 mixture of Teric and molasses to the hay will
provide about 12 hours of protection for those animals
consuming the correct dose. A mechanical mixer is
required to adequately coat the hay with the thick oils and
tallow. Thinner oils and the Teric mixture can be sprayed
directly onto the hay.

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Bloat Prevention in Pasture Fed Beef Cattle

AG0569

Table of Treatments*
Name of Chemical
Direct drenching
Bloat Capsule
Bloat blocks
Teric Block
Water troughs
Teric Bloat Liquid
Trough Add
Hay treatment
Tallow
Bloat-Rid, Y Bloat & others
Teric Bloat Liquid mixture

Ingredient

Size

Daily Dose

Monensin

10 capsules

--------

Teric 12A23B

15 kg

100 gms

Teric 12A23B
Polyalkylene glycol

20 L
20 L

40 mls/15 L
30 mls/90 L

Animal fats
Tallow, parrafin oil
Teric 12A23B
& molasses

200 L
20 L
200 L

120 mls
85 mls
114 mls

Roller-licker drum
Teric Bloat Liquid mixture

Teric 12A23B
20 L
114 mls
& molasses
200 L
*The author acknowledges the assistance of Meaghan Johnston in compiling the data used in this table.
The previous version of this note was published in November 1996.

The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned.
The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular
purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this
publication.

State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries

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