According to a USDA dairy forage scientist, a lot can be learned about a cow’s health from its manure. Manure can often share insights on the interactions between a cow and her diet. Manure can often share insights on the interactions between a cow and her diet. Dairy producers should look for these abnormal manure signs when considering diet changes for the herd:
≥≥ Manure that appears foamy, could be due to excess fermentation in the hindgut.
≥≥ Excessive manure can result from ruminal acidosis or digestive upset from spoiled feed or disease.
≥≥ Undigested feed in a small amount is okay, but if it is enough to be identifiable, it means the feed is escaping the rumen.
USDA says a group of cows on the same diet should have no more than 5% variation in manure.
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