Dairy Cattle Nutrition: Feces Analysis

Question 1

Cattle fed on TMR should have ___ feces

A) Dark

B) Green

C) Yellow Olive

Answer 1

C) Yellow Olive

Question 2

Interpretation for each consistency:

If not consistent, Loose Feces, Solid Feces

Answer 2

If not consistent -> Diarrhea (Poisoning, Infection, Parasites)

Loose faeces -> Heat stress

Solid faeces -> Dehydration

Question 3

Interpretations for each content:

Large particles or undigested grains,

Large amount of undigested grain

Answer 3

Large particles or undigested grains -> cows not ruminating properly or rumen passage is accelerated

Large amount of undigested grain -> improper grain processing (hard kernels from corn silage)

Question 4

3 C’s in Manure Observation

Answer 4

1) Color
2) Consistency
3) Content

Question 5

Interpretations in each color:

Dark Green, Dark Brown, Yellow Olive

Answer 5

Dark Green -> Cattle graze fresh forage or pasture

Dark Brown -> Hay ration

Yellow Olive -> TMR ration