Helen Golder
Helen Golder | Postgraduate Student
E:
Qualifications
Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons)
Research Interests
Bovine nutrition and physiology
Research Project
My project aims to investigate if the fructan (a form of plant sugar) and histidine (amino acid) content of pastures is increasing the risk of subacute acidosis in dairy cattle. Traditionally the feeding of large volumes of grain has been considered as the primary cause of subacute acidosis, a disorder of ruminants that lowers production and body condition as a result of a decline in rumen pH.
I am examining the importance of fructan and histidine on the onset of subacute acidosis by comparing rumen fermentation products in dairy heifers fed grain, histidine and fructan diets. I am also measuring oxidative stress during the onset of subacute acidosis.
Project Supervisor
Associate Supervisors
Adjunct Professor Ian Lean