Using Manure Evaluation To Enhance Dairy Cattle Nutrition Paul Kononoff Jud Heinrichs Gabriella Varga Penn State There are many tools that a nutritionist may use to evaluate and monitor the nutritional status of high producing dairy cows. Evaluating the feces or manure can provide information about general health, rumen fermentation, and digestive function of cows. Mature cattle provide ample opportunities for manure observation, as they pass feces approxi mately once every 1.5 to 2 hours and excrete a total of 100 or more pounds every day. The amount of manure produced may vary due to feed and water intake, and may be greatly reduced by an unusual disruption in passage of matter through the diges tive tract. Manure evaluation may provide valuable infor mation regarding the site and extent of both diges tion and fermentation of consumed feeds. Normally a majority of the feed consumed by the dairy cow is digested in the rumen, and a majority of the nu trient absorption occurs in the rumen or small intes tine. When feed is not properly fermented in the rumen, some undigested nutrients may reach the small intestine. Normally, these nutrients may be The Leader In Livestock Introducing MiraFoint BlGs|N|ng E/Fount Livestock Waterers For EVERY Need! Also 6300 Livestock Waterer 12 ft. long 22 in. wide, 22 in. tall, 100 Gal. Capacity For Information or Nearest Dealer call.. BlGspring Model #6lOO Designed for Quick & Easy Cleaning • Access from 3 sides • No wasted space • Pour foundation with curve for easy cleaning • Center between stalls or one on each end of single stalls SPECIFICATIONS • Length: 80" • Drinking Height' 24* • Water Capaclty:6o gals • Optional electric heat • Capacity Dairy: 100 head • VaIveMIRACO all plastic valve • 8 Stainless steel concrete anchors • Durable one-piece poly construction • Urethane foam insulation EMMERT FARM DISTRIBUTORS o-j. RD #l, Box 1019, Hallstead, PA 18822 Welcome digested and absorbed, but if the amount is too ex cessive or the rate of passage is too fast, nutrients may escape both digestion and absorption in the small intestine. The last opportunity for nutrient digestion and absorption occurs in the large intes tine. Hindgut or large intestinal fermentation is part of the normal digestive process in the rabbit and horse; however, this process usually plays a small role in the dairy cow. When cows consume rations (Turn to Page 45) Accomplishments (Continued from Page 42) different dairies operate; and the concerns about how some dairy producers are moving away froip conventional herd testing. Muller believes in closer collaboration between university and industry. Muller noted that finding and recruiting current faculty, some of the best at any university, was a matter of timing and “dumb luck.” But a student of his, Elliot Block, Church and Dwight Company, provided this famous quote: “You might be in the right place at the right time, but you also have to know what to do.” • Width 36" •Weight 175 lbs POLY FEED BUNKS Various Sizes Poly Feed Bunks With Stainless Steel Hardware 570-879-4869 Waterers! The first waterers specifically designed for free stall installations New Model #6lOO, BlGspnng livestock wsterer MRACO A division of Ahrens Agncultural Industnes
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