Editing Cud (section)

== Chemistry ==
{{singlesource|section|date=April 2023}} 
The reticulorumen has an optimum pH of 6.5 for the microbe population to thrive. Consumption by ruminants of an insufficiently fibrous diet leads to little cud formation and therefore lowered amounts of saliva production. This in turn is associated with rumen [[acidosis]], where the rumen pH can fall to 5 or lower. Rumen acidosis is associated with a lowered appetite which leads to still lower rates of saliva secretion. Eventually, a collapse of the microbial [[ecosystem]] in the rumen will occur because of the low pH. Acute rumen acidosis can lead to death of the animal, and will occur if the animal is allowed to eat a diet with no roughage but high levels of highly [[digestible]] starchy concentrate. Some dairy cows in intensive systems of milk production may have sub-acute acidosis because of the high rates of cereals in their diets relative to an insufficient amount of forage. However, most producers provide adequate [[fodder]] in the form of [[hay]] to prevent this.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/rumination.html|title = Rumen Physiology and Rumination}}</ref>{{additional citation needed|date=April 2023}}