Effects of high iron and sulfate ion concentrations on dry matter digestion and volatile fatty acid production by ruminal microorganisms.

The inhibitory effects of iron- and sulfate-containing compounds on the in vitro digestion of a balanced forage diet by mixed populations of ruminal microorganisms were examined in batch cultures. Compounds containing ferrous and ferric cations consistently inhibited DM digestion by up to 36% when added Fe concentrations in cultures were between 100 and 1,000 mg/L. Increased sulfate concentrations of up to 200 mg/L or chloride concentrations of up to 635 mg/L were not associated with decreased DM digestion. Ammonium sulfate additions that provided 200 mg/L of added sulfur increased (P less than .05) digestibility by 10%. Sulfate-containing iron salts tended to be less inhibitory than chloride salts and were associated with increased gas production during digestion. Ferric chloride inhibited (P less than .05) microbial activities at lower concentrations than ferrous chloride. Data suggest that excessive iron supplementation or contamination of feeds with iron-containing pollutants may decrease microbial activities in the rumen.