(Continued from Page 45) protein intake or high levels of rumen degradable protein. This is likely a result of increased water consumption in a response to excrete excess nitro gen via the urine. In addition, manure may be loose during periods of heat stress. Restricted water or protein intake often results in firmer feces. Severe dehydration results in firm balls of manure. Cows with left-sided displaced abbmasums often excrete feces with a pasty dark appearance. Content. Ideally, fecal samples should indicate uniform digestion and utilization of the majority of feeds and nutrients offered to the animal. If you notice large proportions of undigested grain or long forage particles (pieces greater than 0.5 inch), it may be an indication of poor rumen fermentation and possibly extensive hindgut or large intestine fer mentation. Hindgut fermentation is much less valu able to the cow than rumen fermentation. This is due to the fact that little absorption of digested nu trients can occur in the large intestine. Therefore, though digestion and fermentation do occur in the large intestine, little nutritional value is gained for the cow. The presence of large forage particles or undi- Enhance Dairy Cattle Nutrition gested grains may indicate that cows are not rumi nating properly or that rumen passage rate is accelerated. This may be due to inadequate intake of fiber that is effective in stimulating rumination or maintaining normal rumen pH. Observation of a substantial amount of large un digested grain particles may indicate grain Engorge ment or improper grain processing (including hard kernels from corn silage). Nutrients from these large particles are not available to the animals or to rumen microbes. Be aware that finely ground grain particles, which are not easily seen, may be present. Look closely for a yellow color that may indicate their presence, or observe dried manure. A pale white color on the surface of dried manure indicates undi gested starch is present and the amount of white color depends on the amount of starch present. The presence of excessive amounts of mucus indi cates chronic inflammation of or injury to gut tissue. Mucin casts (which appear like a red jell sub stance) also may be observed. These indicate damage to the large intestine, possibly caused by ex tensive hindgut fermentation and low pH. The mucin is produced by cells lining the intestine in an (Turn to Page 48) -* IMPI Give Tour Com a Helping Hand ... Boost Immune System - ★ Dry Cow/Shed Down/Cleanup ★ Pre-fresh/Troubleshoot Transition Cows ★ Fresh Cow Problems/Retalned Placenta ★ High SCC Cows/Mastltls Cows No Milk Withholding Required. Low Dally cost $0.45 Per Cow. Allowed on Organic Dairy Farms m ounce of mmim IS WORTH A fOOHO OF OORII Impro offers NEW 2 cow trial size package! Free Impro Program Brochure, Call us Today. V AARON GROFF & SON LLC 103 Clearvlew Drive f' tT WWw Ephrata, PA 17522 (717) 354-4631 (800) 468-4909 Roy K. Espenshode * Carl Delbert Lewisburg, Pa. Bedford, Pa. (570) 524-7566 (814) 623-6443 Carl Close Country Garden Farm Supply Glen Rock, Po (717) 235-2730 ' tM Shed Down Infection Mifftinburg, Pa. (570) 966-3944
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers