Two trials (indoor [Exp. 1] and grazing trial [Exp. 2]) were conducted to determine the effects of condensed tannin (CT)–containing peanut skin (PS) on animal performance and drug-resistant Haemonchus contortus control in meat goats. In Exp. 1, 18 intact male Kiko-crossbreed goats (Capra hircus) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (n = 6): 1) control (no-PS), 2) 25% PS, and 3) 50% PS. The diets consisted of concentrates containing varying levels of PS with soybean meal, alfalfa pellet, ground corn, vitamins and minerals mix, and coastal hay at the rate of 450 g/goat per day. Animals were confined indoors for a period of 50 d. In Exp. 2, 32 intact male Kiko-crossbreed goats were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 2 replicates (n = 8) grazing on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) supplemented with 1) control (no-PS), 2) 20 g/d of PS, 3) 80 g/d of PS, and 4) 172 g/d of PS under grazing for a period of 42 d. Animals were dewormed on d −10, and all the goats were artificially inoculated on d 0 with 5,000 infective stage (L3) drug-resistant H. contortus larvae. Feed intake and performance were monitored inside the barn and concentrate intakes were recorded in the grazing experiment. Blood samples were taken twice, once at the beginning and once at the end of the experiment. Fecal egg counts (FEC) and FAMACHA scores were determined every 2 wk. Rumen fermentation rate, adult worm counts, and carcass analysis were conducted only in Exp. 2. All analyses were conducted using a GLM procedure of SAS with linear and quadratic effects. In Exp. 2, there were no differences in initial and final BW, ADG, carcass characteristics, ruminal VFA, and FEC. However, adult worm counts score tended to be lower in 80 g PS–supplemented groups (P = 0.1). However, in Exp. 1, animals on 25% PS (138.8 g/d) tended to grow 31% faster (quadratic, P = 0.10) when compared with the control (95.7 g/d) or 50% PS (110.0 g/d)–supplemented groups. Goats receiving PS supplementation had linearly decreased (P < 0.05) FEC, with maximum responses in 25% PS supplementation. There were no differences in DMI and FAMACHA score and blood plasma metabolites. Results indicated that PS supplementation has the potential to improve ADG and the ability to reduce FEC at a moderate level of CT-containing PS supplementation (up to 25% of DMI); however, additional studies are needed to further validate these findings.

Birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) is a legume containing condensed tannin that does not cause bloat in cattle when freshly grazed. Two of the most outstanding effects associated with condensed tannin include the potential to decrease ruminal protein degradation through binding protein and to reduce ruminal methane (CH4) production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding BFT-based diets without or with concentrate supplementation on in vitro ruminal fermentation with a focus on CH4 production in continuous cultures. The current study evaluated the effects of feeding 2 types of forages (orchardgrass vs. BFT) combined with 3 supplements (no supplement, ground barley, and specifically designed mixed ration) on the in vitro rumen microbial ecosystem in a 2 × 3 factorial design with 3 independent runs of continuous cultures. Concentration of ammonia-N decreased when cultures were offered BFT-based diets compared with orchardgrass-based diets (P < 0.01), whereas supplementing ground barley or specifically designed mixed ration did not affect ammonia-N concentration, regardless of type of forage. Neither forage nor supplementation had an effect on the concentration of total volatile fatty acids. Microbial populations of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens decreased when cultures were offered BFT-based diets (P < 0.01). Methanobrevibacter sp. decreased due to feeding BFT-based diets (P = 0.02), but Methanomicrobium sp. was not affected. Adding supplements did not influence methanogens. Methane production was reduced by feeding BFT-based diets (P < 0.01); however, supplementation of ground barley or specifically designed mixed ration led to no effect on methane production, regardless of type of forage. Condensed tannins in BFT exerted anti-microbial properties against cellulolytic bacteria and methanogens in a species-dependent manner, resulting in some positive effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Little information is available comparing wheat forage varieties, rumen fermentation and biomass production for different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. A combination of grazing and in vitro experiments was conducted at Texas A & M (TAM) AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Vernon, TX from 2003 to 2004. Our objective was to determine the effects of wheat varieties (WV) and forage allowances (FA) on in vitro rumen fermentation rate, forage biomass production, time of sampling, and grain yields under grazing by steers. The 2003 experiment consisted of 14 commercial wheat cultivars (a part of the UVT collection) and was a part of the TAM Wheat Breeding Program statewide evaluation test. Hereford steers (Bos tuurus L.; 220 to 233 kg) were grazed from November 2003 to May 2004. Grain yield was measured in May 2004. Across WV, total forage protein and soluble protein content were declined from February to March 2004. Total forage protein contents were higher for HG-9, Thunderbolt and Maton Rye than for Lockett, Cutter, Jagalene and Triticale in March. In vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility (IVDMD) was greater (P<0.01) for Maton Rye than for other WV. Forage DM production varied between FA (P<001), grazing (P<0.001), and WV (P<0.001), with no FA x WV and FA x WV x grazing interactions. Total forage DM production was greater (P<0.001) for Gagalene, Longhoern, TAM 111, TAM Bar 501, Lockett, Marton rye, and Jagalene than for HG-9, Triticale 5019, and Triticale 6331 WV in high-FA during grazing, but DM production in un-grazed plot was higher for Triticale 5019, TAM Bar 501 and Jagalene than for HG-9 and Ogallala varieties during the end of March. Across FA, forage DM production (kg DM/ha) in high-FA was higher (P<0.001) DM production than low-FA. Potential in vitro rumen DM disappearance rate (a+b; %) was not differences among WV and time of sampling date, but instantly solubilized rate (a) in the rumen was higher (P<0.05) for Maton rye and Cutter in February and Triticale, Maton rye and Jagalene in March 17 than for other WV, which lead to differentiation of high soluble carbohydrate among forage WV. Similar to rumen DM disappearance rate, instantly NDF solubilized rate (a: %) in the rumen were higher (P<0.05) for Triticale, Maton rye and Jagalene in March 17 than for other WV, suggests that higher rate of instantly solubilized of DM, rate of disappearance rate, and instantly solubilized NDF in the rumen may lead to initiating trigger factor for frothy bloat and need to further study. When steers grazing on high-FA, grain yields were greater (P<0.01) for 2174, Lockett, Thurnderbolt, TAM 111, and HG-9 than for low-FA, with Gagalene and Cutter being produced higher (P<0.01) grain yield than other WV. The pull of date (POD) response to grain yield depends upon the time of date with no or variable responses of grain yield with increasing time of date up to March 08. When POD after March 08 or thereafter, grain yield progressively decreased with time. Therefore, beneficial effects of POD for dual purpose winter wheat occur in the range from February 19 to March 08.

Preconditioning has potential to bring higher economic returns for cow-calf producers from feeder calves if preconditioning is cost-effective. The objective of this study was to find out the price differences between traditional marketing and value added marketing (preconditioning or board sales) of beef calves in Alabama from 2012 to 2016. The sales data were collected from the USDA-AMS (Agricultural Marketing Services) field office at Montgomery, Alabama for both traditional marketing (auctions) and value added marketing. There were 20 locations for traditional marketing while board sales data were collected from 3 locations. Of the total calf sales, only 23% of calves were sold through board sales. Sales data were collected from 585 lots (farmers) representing 118,125 head of calves sold between January 2012 and December 2016 at different auctions and board sales. The data consisted of auction types, gender, muscle scores, and average weight (range, 250 kg to 386 kg), but the breeds of feeder calves were not considered. Data were analyzed by the General Linear Model Procedures of SAS to determine the price difference associated with sales type including all variables listed above. However, the economic values of preconditioning were not determined. The analyzed data showed that beef calf prices differed significantly (P < 0.05) between market types (auction vs. board sales), years, gender, muscle scores, and average weights. The overall yearly averages were $121.48, 137.40, 211.32, 206.37, and 126.52 for 45.4 kg live weights for years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Steers sold at board sales with an average body weight of 250 kg brought $32/45.4 kg more than those sold traditionally at the same body weight, but the difference narrowed as body weight increased to 318 kg body weight with a difference of only $21.44/45.4 kg. When values for market types (auction and board sales) were combined, the values for muscle scores were $164.25, 168.02, 158.99, and 151.19 for 1, 1 and 2 combined, 2, and 3 muscle scores, respectively. Similarly, the values for gender were $157.60, 156.11, and 168.13 for bulls, heifers, and steers, respectively. The year 2014 was the best year for beef calf prices in Alabama regardless of auction types. The results of this study suggest that there are price differences between the traditional marketing and board sales (preconditioning) of calves; however, the net profits due to auction types need to be investigated further to demonstrate the economic benefits of preconditioning calves.

Twenty-four Kiko crossbred (8 mo. old, BW = 39.7 +/- 2,55 kg) male goats were used to determine the effect of pine bark (PB; Pinus taeda L.) on the chemical composition and quality characteristics of goat meat (chevon). Meat goats were grazed in a winter rye grass-dominant pasture and randomly assigned to either bermudagrass (BG) hay or pine bark (PB) supplementation (n = 12 goats/supplementation) for 55 d. Each supplement consisted of alfalfa pellet, molasses, and mineral mixtures with either BG or PB, provided at 1.5% of BW at individual feeding stations. Longissimus muscle (LM; intramuscular fat) from loin cuts as well as subcutaneous and kidney fats were obtained from each goat carcass for determination of chemical and fatty acid compositions. The loin chops from each carcass were also used to evaluate the quality of chevon. There were no differences (P > 0.05) found in the average daily weight gain (ADG) and final weight of goats from the two different supplementation groups. The LM pH of goats was not significantly different between the supplementation groups. No significant differences were found in the CIE L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values of loin chops from goats supplemented either BG or PB. However, the CIE a* (redness) values of chops from goats fed BG supplement were higher (P < 0.05) than those from goats fed PB supplement. No differences (P > 0.05) were found in the proximate composition and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values of LM from goats fed the two different supplements. Furthermore, no significant differences were also found in the Warner-Bratzler shear values and cooking losses of loin chops from goats supplemented either BG or PB. Compared with goats supplemented with BG, goats supplemented with PB had lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of margaric (C17:0), margaroleic (C17:1n9), and conjugated linoleic (C18:2, CLA) acids in intramuscular fats; a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n3) acid in subcutaneous and kidney fats. The results indicated that a diet containing PB such as wood derived CT might not substantially impact the basic nutrient, quality property and fatty acid profile of chevon. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phytochemical plant tannins (condensed and hydrolysable tannins) are one of the most abundantly available plant secondary metabolites. These plant tannins have potential to significantly impact rumen fermentation, rumen microbiota population changes, nutrient digestibility and animal production. The objective of this study was to determine whether the phytochemical tannin-containing sericea lespedeza leaf pellet, ground pine bark, or its combination would have effects on rumen fermentation and microbial diversity in meat goats. Twenty four Kiko-crossbreed intact male goats (Capra hircus; BW= 38.6 ± 2.7 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 6): 1) 30% bermudagrass hay and 70% grain mix, 2) 30% pine bark (PB) and 70% grain mix, 3) 30% sericea lespedeza (SLP) and 70% grain mix, and 4) 15% PB, 15% SL pellet, and 70% grain mix. Goats supplemented with mixed diets had decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of acetate, while goats received PB diet exhibited reduced concentrations of isobutyrate (P < 0.001), isovalerate (P < 0.01), and valerate (P < 0.01) acids compared to those in the control and SLP diets. In this study, Bacteroides (30 to 55%) and Firmicutes (30 to 47%) were the major bacterial phyla, while Prevotella spp. was the most predominant rumen bacterial species in the percentage of 22.1, 42.2, 28.9, and 23.9 for control, PB, SLP, and mixed diets, respectively. The community of rumen bacterial species in PB-supplemented group was greater for Marinifilum spp. (P < 0.04), Bacteroides spp. (P < 0.02), and Oribacterium spp. (P < 0.03) compared with other treatment groups. Supplementing tannins in goat diets such as PB and SLP diets has a potential to positively modify rumen bacterial community, but there were no synergistic effects on rumen fermentation.

Haemonchus contortus one of the most pathogenic widely distributed blood sucking nematode of sheep and goats [20, 22]. Adult H. contortus can suck about 0.05 mL of blood/ worm/day [27]. Several highly effective anthelmintic drugs were used for controlling of such worms, however these drugs were no longer be used due to rapid developing of the parasite drug resistance [26]. Developing of new control programs to H. contortusis critical for goat enterprise expansion. One of these control programs is using of the phytochemical bioactive compounds to overcome H. contortus problems. Phytochemical condensed tannins (CT) used efficiently as natural alternative anthelmintics to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), as it safe, eco-friendly and easily applicable feed additives [31].

Phytochemical plant tannins are phenolic compounds that interfere with biohydrogenation (BH) of monounsaturated-(MUFA) and poly-unsaturated fatty acids(PUFA). The objective of the present animal study was to investigate the effects of three different levels of phytochemical tannin-containing ground pine bark diet on fatty acid profiles of goat meat, with particular reference to MUFA and PUFA. The saturated fatty acids (SFA), PUFA, and PUFA/SFA ratios in subcutaneous adipose tissue as well as MUFA and PUFA composition of mesenteric kidney fat were increased with increasing phytochemical tannin-containing ground pine bark supplementation. The study showed that phytochemical plant tannins could be a means to moderate the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids with the aim of improving percentage of these PUFA/SFA ratios in goat meat. The effects would be useful to improve carcass fatty acids composition and human health.

It is hypothesize that combining legume forages with grasses will increase plant protein output as well as animal performance. Two years of winter grazing experiments were conducted at the Caprine Research and Education Unit at George Washington Carver Agricultural Experiment Station, Tuskegee University to develop a profitable and sustainable forage-based meat goats production system. Forty-eight Kiko-crossbred (Capra hircus; 19.6±1.5) meat goats were randomly allocated to 6 groups as following: (1) annual ryegrass/wheat (RW; Lolium multiflorum/Triticum aestivum, respectively) + Berseem clover (BC; Trifolium alexandrinum), (2) RW + Austrian pea (AP; Pisum sativum), (3) RW + Hairy vetch (HV; Vicia villosa) + AP, (4) RW + HV + AP + BC, (5) RW + HV, and (6) annual RW as a control with 2 replicates per treatment during 2 years. An average multi-culture forage dry matter (DM; kg/DM/ha) production during 2 years tended to be (P = 0.07) greater for RW+BC than other forage combinations. Biomass production in February and April were higher (P < 0.01) for RW+BC than RW+HV and RW forage combinations, but there was no forage treatment x year interactions. There were no differences in initial body weight (BW), final BW and average daily gain (ADG) among treatments, with no treatment x year interactions for animal BW changes and ADG. However, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and dressing percentage were greater (P<0.05) for RW+BC and RW +HV+AP than for RW grasses. Sirloin weight was greater (P<0.04) for RW+BC than for RW pasture, while leg weight was greater (P < 0.03) for RW+HV + AP than for RW control. Goats grazed on grasses-based diet (RW), had higher average saturated fatty acids (SFA; P < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; P<0.05) in intramuscular fat content, but both were lower in mescentric kidney fat (MKF) and subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05-0.01) compared to legume forage-based diets. Goats grazed on grass-based diets, had higher omega-3 and -6 fatty acids in intramuscular fat content (P < 0.05-0.08), but both were lower in subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05-0.01) compared to legume forage-based diets. This is probably due to higher nutritive values of forage diets throughout the winter grazing period. The results produced indicated a greater increase in carcass yield with more desirable fatty acids compositions in intramuscular fat content in meat goats from grass-legume multiple combinations compared to mono-culture forage.

Season based nature of forage availability is one of the hindrances in raising goats in pasture throughout the year. There exists a gap in forage availability when cool-season forages are dead or dormant and warm-season forages are still to come, such as from late April to May to June. Another gap exists when warm-season forages are about to be dormant or dead and cool-season forages are still to come, such as from late September or October to December or January. Browsing in woodlands can be helpful to bridge some of these gaps. This study was conducted at the Tuskegee University woodlands located at Atkins camp site from last week of May to first week of July, 2015 to evaluate the complementarity of woodlands for year-round grazing for goats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of goats for different woodland plant species. Six to eight month Kiko wethers (29) were rotationally grazed at the study site using five plots (one-acre each) and two control plots where no goats were grazed. They were provided one week as an adjustment period before the measurements were taken. The overall weight gained by the goats within the study period was 1 lb (59±1.38 to 60±1.48 lbs), with decreasing average body conditioning score (2.4±0.06 to 1.9±0.10) and decreasing average FAMACHA reading (3±0.10 to 2.8±0.17). The average browsing line for the browse species was (56±0.6 inches) with goats reaching high for Sumac, Kudzu, Yaupon, Black cherry, Winged elm. The crude protein (CP) was highest for the kudzu (15.3%) followed by dog fennel (14.09%) and beautyberry (12.07%). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was highest for the persimmon (55.90%) followed by winged elm (55.38%) and willow oak (52.16%). The acid detergent fiber (ADF) was lowest in wild plum (16.8%) followed by sumac (19.16%) and black gum (20.35%). Sparkle berry (8.21%), winged elm (7.682%) and wild plum (5.69%) were amongst the highest tannin containing plants.

Twenty-six stocker cattle (286.1 ± 25.7 kg) were used to quantify the effect of commercial plant tannin extracts (control vs. mimosa and chestnut tannins) on animal performance, gastrointestinal parasites control and plasma metabolite changes in heifers grazing winter wheat forage (Triticum aestivum L. var. “cutter”). The forage biomass and crude protein content were generally similar among treatments. Initial live-weight (LW) was similar among treatments, although final LW (P = 0.1) and average daily gain (ADG; P P Ostertagia was lower (P P P < 0.02) for chestnut tannins group than for control, and intermediate for mimosa tannins. However, cholesterol level was similar among treatment after 20 days cessation of tannins treatments. Our data suggest that heifers grazing winter wheat forage supplemented with plant tannins rather than control (non-tannins group) increased ADG (8% to 19%) for mimosa and chestnut tannins groups, respectively with no detectable detrimental effects on animal health. The increase in ADG may be due to decrease fecal parasites infections.

Procedures: Two grazing experiments were performed to 1) investigate the effects of supplementing condensed tanninscontaining pine bark powder on average daily gain, ruminal fermentation, and rumen microbial diversity dynamics (Experiment 1), and 2) to quantify the influence of different sources of extracted tannins supplementations on ruminal fermentation and rumen microbial diversity changes of goats grazing fresh forages (Experiment 2). In experiment 1, 20 Kiko-Boer cross male goats (Capra hircus; initial body weight= 39.7 ± 2.55 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 experimental diets (alfalfa pellet vs. pine bark powder). Alfalfa pellet (no tannin as a control) or pine bark powder (11% condensed tannins) was supplemented at 0.5% body weight for targeted total dry matter intake of 1.2% body weight. The remaining dry matter intake of each diet was obtained from grazing for 55 days. In experiment 2, 12 Kiko-Boer cross goats were used to measure average daily gain, ruminal fermentation, and gut microbial population in the rumen of goats grazing bermudagrass. The animals were randomly assigned to 3 experimental diets: 1) no tannins (control), 2) chestnut extract at 100 g/d, and 3) quebracho tannin extract at 100 g/day.

An indoor and a grazing experiment was conducted to determine how estimated feed intake and digestion by grazing goats consuming concentrate, bahaigrass pasture, and mimosa browse changed with body weight (BW), level of supplementation, and forage chemical composition. Twenty four Boer wether goats were assigned in a completely randomized design with repeated measures on the following 3 treatments: concentrate, mimosa browse, and bahiagrass pasture. Internal markers used to estimate both dry matter (DM) digestibility (DMD) and DM intake (DMI) included acid detergent lignin (ADL) and acid insoluble ash (AIA). Marker-derived estimates of DMD and DMI were compared with DMD measured by total fecal collection or directly measured by in vivo feed intake rate. Both ADL and AIA-based markers in mimosa and bahiagrass diets were similar from those derived by in vivo DMD; however, AIA-based marker in concentrate was under-estimated (P in vivo DMD in mimosa and bahiagrass, although AIA concentration in mimosa seemed to be low compared to others. All markers yielded feed intake estimates that differed from those derived by ADL (P in vivo control, with ADL (P in vivo intake methods for digestibility studies. Both ADL and AIA occur in common forages at readily measurable levels and laboratory procedures are not difficult or time consuming. Therefore, both ADL and AIA have possible use in digestibility studies where other methods may not be applicable.

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites (especially Haemonchus contortus)present the greatest danger to the goat and sheep industry.Infected animals have lower growth rates, reduced reproductive performance, and have higher rates of illness and death.In the past, sheep and goat producers relied heavily on anti-parasite drugs.Unfortunately, GI parasites have become increasingly resistant to many of the anthelmintics.Alternative methods of GI parasite control for animals raised primarily on forages are vital for the sustainability and profitability of sheep and goat farms in the southeastern U.S. Consequently, alternative, sustainable, and affordable methods of parasitic control are required that are practical and realistic for introduction into farm production systems.Research has shown that legumes such as sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) contain condensed tannin (CT) have anti-parasitic properties.The anti-parasite properties of CT have been demonstrated to reduce GI parasitic infection in goats at Oklahoma [1] and with hay-feeding trials with goats at Georgia [2] and sheep at Louisiana, U.S.A [3].Recently, researchers in Tuskegee University

A dual-flow, continuous-culture system was used to assess the effects of energy supplementation with 4 pasture forages on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics. Twelve dietary treatments were tested in a split-plot design: energy supplementation (no concentrate, 30% ground corn, or 30% dried distilled grains with solubles) as a whole plot and pasture forages [tall fescue (TF) without N fertilizer, TF with N fertilizer (TF+NF), TF-alfalfa mixture, and TF-birdsfoot trefoil mixture (TF+BFT)] as a subplot. Three replicated runs lasted 9 d each, with 7 d for adaptation period and 2 d for data collection. The greatest total VFA and propionate concentrations (P < 0.01) were detected when corn was supplemented. Supplementing corn in the TF+BFT increased total VFA and propionate concentration (P < 0.05). Greater concentrations of acetate and propionate were found in the TF+NF (P < 0.01), but no effects were detected among other pasture forages. Energy supplementation decreased acetate:propionate ratio across pasture forages, and corn supplementation in the TF+NF resulted in the lowest ratio (P < 0.01). Lower ammonia-N and methane concentrations (P < 0.01) were achieved due to energy supplementation, in particular when corn grain was supplemented. Feeding the TF+NF or the TF+BFT elicited similar ammonia-N:VFA ratios with no energy or corn supplementation, which indicates that the TF+BFT was effectively fermented in cultures, resulting in similar efficiency of ruminal fermentation compared with the TF+NF. Data from this experiment imply that interseeding birdsfoot trefoil with TF may be a suitable sward to establish in a grazing experiment to further evaluate ruminal fermentation, nutrient utilization efficiency, and performance of grazing cattle.

Grazing steers on winter wheat forage is routinely practiced in the Southern Great Plains of the US. Here, we investigated the dynamics in bacterial populations of both solid and liquid ruminal fractions of steers grazing on maturing wheat forage of changing nutritive quality. The relationship between bacterial diversity and fermentation parameters in the liquid fraction was also investigated. During the first 28 days, the wheat was in a vegetative phase with a relatively high crude protein content (CP; 21%), which led to the incidence of mild cases of frothy bloat among steers. Rumen samples were collected on days 14, 28, 56 and 76, separated into solid and liquid fractions and analyzed for bacterial diversity using 16S pyrotag technology. The predominant phyla identified were Bacteroidetes (59-77%) and Firmicutes (20-33%) across both ruminal fractions. Very few differences were observed in the rumen bacterial communities within solid and liquid fractions on day 14. However, by day 28, the relatively high CP content complemented a distinct bacterial and chemical composition of the rumen fluid that was characterized by a higher ratio (4:1) of Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes and a corresponding lower acetate:propionate (3:1) ratio. Further, a greater accumulation of biofilm (mucopolysaccharide complex) on day 28 was strongly associated with the abundance of Firmicutes lineages such as Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Oscillospira and Moryella (P<0.05) in the fiber fraction. Such changes were diminished as the CP concentration declined over the course of the study. The abundance of Firmicutes was noticeable by 76 d in both fractions which signifies the development of a core microbiome associated with digestion of a more recalcitrant fiber in the mature wheat. This study demonstrates dynamics in the rumen microbiome and their association with fermentation activity in the rumen of steers during the vegetative (bloat-prone) and reproductive stages of wheat forage.