Which of the following is a risk associated with feeding high-starch diets to ruminants?

• A. Lower rumen pH leading to acidosis.
• B. Lower rumen pH.
• C. Increased saliva production.
• D. Higher fiber digestibility.

Answer: (B)

High-starch feeds ferment quickly in the rumen, pushing more acid production into the system. If this acid load isn’t adequately buffered, the rumen environment becomes more acidic, so the rumen pH falls. That drop in pH is the real risk because it disrupts the rumen microbes, reduces fiber digestion, and, if sustained, can lead to acidosis. The statement that the risk is lower rumen pH points to the initiating problem, rather than the downstream consequence. The alternative about increased saliva production would actually help buffer pH, and higher fiber digestibility is not a risk and is not what high-starch diets primarily threaten.