The Silent Threat in Your Herd: SARA

In dairy cows fed high-concentrate rations, rumen pH drops below critical thresholds on a daily basis. When pH remains below 5.8 for more than five hours per day, cellulolytic bacteria lose function, fibre digestion is impaired, and milk fat content declines. This condition is known as subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA); yet it often goes undetected until significant damage has occurred, because the cow continues to be milked.

Acid Buf is produced by Celtic Sea Minerals (Ireland) from natural calcified red seaweed (Lithothamnium calcareum). Its microscopic honeycomb structure increases the surface area in contact with rumen fluid while slowing the rate of dissolution in a controlled manner, sustaining buffering capacity throughout the day. During dissolution, highly bioavailable calcium (30%) and magnesium (5.5%) are released.

Sodium bicarbonate dissolves rapidly in the rumen and its buffering effect is short-lived. Acid Buf, by contrast, maintains buffering capacity for more than eight hours and significantly reduces the time spent below pH 5.5 compared to conventional buffers. Furthermore, Acid Buf is not solely a buffering agent; as a highly bioavailable source of calcium and magnesium, it also contributes to the mineral balance of the ration.

Benefits proven by independent research:

• 6% increase in milk fat (Neville 2019, Bernard 2014, Cruywagen 2015)
• 9% improvement in feed efficiency (Neville 2019)
• 7% reduction in methane emissions (University of Nottingham, 2023)
• 24 kg of additional dietary space per tonne of feed reformulation
• Rumen wall protection — guards against subacute acidosis
• Supports performance through improved fibre digestion
• Reduces the risk of transition period metabolic disorders, limiting production losses
• Contributes to lower retained placenta incidence, reducing health-related costs

Protect your herd against subacute ruminal acidosis and support milk production — use Acid Buf.