Feeding is a critical aspect of cattle and carabao production. Proper nutrition ensures optimal growth, reproduction, and overall health of these ruminant animals. In this section, we will explore various aspects of feeds and feeding. Objectives: 1. To understand the nutritional requirements of cattle and carabao. 2. To learn about the different types of feeds and their impact on animal health and meat quality. 3. To explore feeding practices that optimize meat production while considering animal welfare. Feeds and Feeding Feeding is a cornerstone of cattle and carabao production, significantly influencing animal growth, health, and productivity. Understanding various aspects of feeds and feeding is paramount. In conclusion, feeds and feeding play an essential role in the success of cattle and carabao production. By understanding the nutritional requirements, implementing effective feeding practices, and staying abreast of recent advances, farmers can optimize animal health and productivity. However, challenges such as cost implications and environmental impact must be carefully considered to ensure sustainable practices.

1. The Ruminant
Digestive System
(Day 2)
Created by: Arlene Barrett, Dennis Bratton, Mariah Gumphry,
Haley Vrazel

2. Objectives
 Define the functions of ruminant animals.
 Analyze ruminant digestive system.
 Analyze the first two components of the digestive
system of ruminant animals.

3. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 Functions of the digestive system of
animals include:
ingestion (eating)
chewing (mastication)
swallowing (deglutition)
absorption of nutrients
elimination of solid wastes
(defecation)

4. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 The digestive system changes food
nutrients into compounds that are
easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

5. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 Ruminants are those animals that contain
a multi-chambered digestive system
(polygastric) that allows the animal to
gain the majority of their nutritional needs
from forages and other roughages.
 cattle, sheep/goats, deer and elk
 Forage refers to grasses, roughages refers
to other high-fiber food sources.

6. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 The digestive tract extends from the
lips to the anus. It includes the mouth,
pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and the
small and large intestines.
 Accessory glands include the salivary
glands, the liver, and the pancreas.

7. Ruminant Digestive Systems
Picture of digestive system of cow
Rectum
Anus
Colon
Cecum
Small Intestine
Rumen
Kidney
Pancreas
Liver Esophagus
Pharynx
Teeth
Tongue
Salivary
Gland
Reticulum
Omasum
Abomasum

8. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 The digestive system of ruminant animals
includes the:
Mouth - grasps the food
Teeth - grind the food
Ruminants have only one set of teeth in
the front of the mouth (incisors), and two
sets in the back (molars).
Tongue - covered with finger-like
projections (papillae) that contain taste
buds.
Salivary glands - secrete saliva, that

9. Ruminant Digestive Systems
Pharynx - funnels food into the
esophagus, preventing food material
from entering the lungs.
Esophagus - food tube that leads
from the mouth to the stomach.

10. Ruminant Stomach

11. Compartment Capacity
11
 Reticulum 5% of capacity
 Rumen 80% of capacity
 Omasum 7% of
capacity
 Abomasum 8% of capacity

12. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 At this point, ruminant animals have a multi-
chambered “stomach”
 Reticulum - honeycomb-like interior surface, this part
helps to remove foreign matter from the food material.
 Esophagus empties here
 Prone to hardware disease
 Cattle swallow small pieces of metal
 Can irritate or pierce the lining
 Helped by putting a small magnet into the reticulum
 Holding area for food; also site of
regurgitation

13. Reticulum - cleaned

14. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 Ruminant animals grasp mouthfuls of food
and swallow it before it is chewed.
They wrap their tongue around a mouthful of
grass, clamp down their teeth, and pull to
break the grass at its weakest point, and
swallow.
Ruminants will “chew their cud” (regurgitate)
their food material and then grind it with their
molars at a time when the animal is resting.
This is done until the food particles are small
enough to pass through the reticulum into

15. Ruminant Digestive Systems
 Rumen - the organ that allows for bacterial and
chemical breakdown of fiber.
 The rumen has a very thick, muscular wall
 It fills most of the left-side of the abdomen
 Looks like carpet due to papillae lining it
 Fermentation vat
 Primary digestion site for ruminants
 Microbial digestion takes place here
 Breakdown cellulose, simple sugars, and Nitrogen
containing compounds like protein
 Physical mixing and breakdown
 Not active in the early stages of life

16. Papillae in
Rumen

17. Summary
 Define the functions of ruminant animals.
 Analyze ruminant digestive system.
 Analyze the first two components of the digestive
system of ruminant animals.

18. Resources
 Resources: Rakowitz-McMillian Sam
Houston State Univeristy Animal Science
Note Packet