Basics of Ruminant Nutrition Flashcards
How much of a ruminants time is spent:
- grazing
- ruminating
- resting
1/3 of its time doing each
What is the capacity of the rumen?
200+ L
Where is the rumen located in the cow?
On the LHS
Describe the features/role of the rumen
Fermentation chamber – anaerobic
Rumen microbes (“bugs”)
Fibre mat – “home to the bugs” & traps foods
Describe the 4 layers of the rumen
Top = gas
Fibre mat
Intermediate zone
Bottom = Liquid zone
What are the different areas of the rumen
Dorsal sac
Ventral sac
Cranio-dorsal blind sac
Name the 4 contractions involved in the primary rumen cycle
- First reticular contraction
- Second reticular contraction
- Dorsal rumen contraction
- Ventral rumen contraction
Describe the movement of material during the first reticular contraction
Course material to dorsal sac
Describe the movement of material during the second reticular contraction
Fine material to cranio-dorsal blind sac
Fine material to omasum
Describe the movement of material during the dorsal rumen contraction
- Fine material from cranio-dorsal blind sac to reticulum
- Coarse material circled back to caudo-dorsal blind sac and up
- Some exchange with ventral sac
Describe the movement of material during the ventral rumen contraction
- Fine material circulated back to cranial blind sac and up
- Some exchange with dorsal sac
- Some fine material into cranio-dorsal blind sac
Describe the secondary cycle of rumen contractions
Dorsal rumen contraction
- gas cap pushed forward, and gas released up oesophagus
What is the ratio of primary and secondary rumen contractions?
Ratio 2 Primary : 1 secondary
What products are produced by rumen bugs?
VFAs
Methane
CO2
What is the function of VFAs
Absorbed by the cow and used to supply energy or for fat/glucose synthesis
Milk production is determined by which 3 factors?
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Health
Why is genetic milk production potential rarely achieved?
Inappropriate nutrition
When formulating diets (and analysing them) we tend to use what order?
Dry matter intake
Energy
Protein
Minerals
Vitamins
What ‘activities’ may an animal be involved in that need to be accounted for when assessing diets
- Maintenance
- Activity
- Lactation
- Growth
- Pregnancy
How much does a ruminant eat if she is doing nothing?
2% - 2.5% of bodyweight e.g. 14 Kg for 700Kg cow