Hello all, this is Miss Swiss the Brown Swiss and today we will start by learning more about the rumen, which is one of four compartments in my stomach as well as my other cow friends. I thought it would be most helpful to include some visuals, so thanks to the University of Minnesota and Mississippi State University below is a schematic diagram of a cow stomach and a picture of the rumen. The rumen is the largest chamber and primarily functions as a place of storage and fermentation. Silage I consume will pass through my rumen before entering another compartment. Here I can regurgitate and chew my cud as I please! Some fermentation also occurs in this chamber because I have a plethora of commensal microbes, meaning that we help eat other! The bacteria and protozoa help me break down nutrients like cellulose and in exchange I provide them with a safe environment and some food. In the photograph of the rumen below, you can see it is covered in every inch by fingerlike projections that are called papillae, and these assist me in transferring the nutrients into my bloodstream.
Phew I need a break to ruminate, I will see you tomorrow with discussion about the reticulum!
Today we shipped 4,968 gallons of milk.
Today there were _ newborn calves.
No comments:
Post a Comment