Ruminal bacterial microbiome of beef cattle adapted to forage-free whole corn grain diets using different adaptation strategies
This BioProject contains 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data from ruminal bacterial communities of beef cattle subjected to different adaptation strategies for forage-free whole corn grain diets. Animals were assigned to one of three adaptation protocols: a conventional forage-based control, a gradual forage reduction (Step-up) strategy, or quantitative feed restriction before transitioning to a forage-free whole corn grain finishing diet. Ruminal samples were collected during the adaptation and finishing phases to evaluate the effects of adaptation strategy on bacterial community composition, diversity, and structure, in association with ruminal fermentation and digestive responses.