Download Cattle Digestive System

Cattle Digestive System
1. Gastrointestinal Tract
Also known as the GIT.
From lips to anus.
All of the parts in the digestive system.
2. Digestion
The breakdown of food into smaller
components that can be more easily
absorbed and assimilated by the body.
3. Ingestion
Taking food into the mouth to
begin the process of digestion.
4. Polygastric
More than one stomach.
Cattle, goats, sheep, giraffes, bison, yaks, buffalo,
deer, gazelles, mouse deer, wildebeests, moose,
caribou, elk.
5. Beef cattle have a ruminant digestive system.
What does that mean?
The word "ruminant" comes from the Latin ruminare,
which means "to chew over again".
Ruminants, like cattle, have four stomachs.
They also chew their cud or ruminate.
6. What are the 10 main parts of the
digestive system in cattle?
MOUTH
7. How many stomachs do cattle have?
Name each one.
4 Stomachs
Rumen
Reticulum
Omasum
Abomasum
8. What is the function of each of
the cattle stomachs?
RUMEN – Also called the paunch and fermentation vat.
Microbial fermentation of feed. In other words, bacteria in the rumen
help digest the hay and grain the cow eats.
RETICULUM – Also known as the honeycomb and water bag.
Muscular contractions squeeze and separate feed particles.
Some feed particles are absorbed here, others move on for further
digestion.
OMASUM – Has many plies or folds of tissue.
Absorbs water, magnesium, and volatile fatty acids from the feed
mixture.
ABOMASUM – Also referred to as the true stomach.
Digestion of bacteria and proteins for further digestion and absorption in
the small intestine.
Rumen
Reticulum
Omasum
Abomasum
9. What does bacteria and microorganisms
have to do with cattle digestion of feed?
Bacteria, protozoans, and fungi secrete enzymes
that help digest the roughage feeds (hay) that
cattle eat.
Microorganisms produce ammonia and volatile
fatty acids that can be absorbed and used by
the cow.
Bacteria produce their own amino acids to build
proteins. The bacteria are eventually digested
and used by the cow for its own protein needs.
Rumen Bacteria
10. A calf’s digestive systems must be inoculated
before it can digest hay and other roughage feeds.
What does this mean?
Introduction of bacteria into the rumen of young calves.
Happens naturally as calves feed with mature cattle.
Helps develop the function of the rumen.
11. Rumination
The process of re-chewing the cud to further
break down plant matter and stimulate digestion.
Click to see a
ruminating cow
12. Bolus
A bolus (from Latin bolus, ball) is a mass of food that has
been chewed and is ready to be swallowed.
13. What is hardware disease?
Bovine traumatic reticuloperitonitis. It is usually caused
by the ingestion of a sharp, metallic object. These pieces
of metal settle in the reticulum, and can irritate or
penetrate the lining.
14. Where does the undigested feed go after
leaving the abomasum? (4 places)
Small Intestine
Cecum
Large Intestine
Rectum
RECTUM