By Scout Nelson
In a recent discussion, Madison Kovarna meets with Dr. Ben St. Pierre from South Dakota State University to explore a topic that plays a key role in cattle health, the microbiome. These tiny organisms help cows digest food and keep their digestive systems working well.
Microbiomes are communities of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live in many places, including the door handle of your house and the rumen of a cow. The rumen is the first part of a cow’s stomach and is home to billions of these microbes. When farmers feed cattle, they are also feeding these microbes, which help break down feed into nutrients the cow can use.
Dr. St. Pierre explains that the rumen’s microbiome is responsible for converting rough feed, like hay or corn stalks, into energy. These microbes work together to break down food in ways that the cow’s own body cannot. Without a healthy microbiome, a cow cannot properly digest its food or gain the nutrition it needs.
The conversation also introduces the idea of a cannulated cow, a special research cow with a small opening in its side that allows scientists to study the rumen. This helps researchers understand how different feeds affect digestion and microbial activity. Cannulated cows play a valuable role in improving animal nutrition.
Understanding the microbiome helps farmers and scientists create better feeding plans for cattle. With more knowledge about rumen microbes, they can improve cattle health, increase productivity, and make farming more efficient.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock, Dairy Cattle