Incidence, prevalence and impact of SARA in dairy herds

Whilst the exact definition of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) remains debatable, it is certain that SARA is present in a large number of dairy herds, affecting a limited proportion of animals. It is uncertain, however, what the exact consequences in the individual animal within a herd are. Based on the current knowledge, it appears fair to assume that not SARA in itself has negative consequences in the individual as well as in the herd, but that these are arising simultaneously with other pathologic alterations. The challenge for the future is to describe the impact of SARA on herd level. Detrimental effect on feed efficiency described seems to be the most important economic consequence. Furthermore, research may focus on the question whether SARA has to be understood as a signal differentiating optimal from suboptimal management in dairy herds. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.