Part A - Importance of nutrients and evaluation of feed in Domestic animals (55 points total)
Directions: Use the web link posted below for “Animal Nutrition Manual” to analyze and respond in short
answer format to questions 1-25 (below). Sub headings are designed to guide students through the
training manual. Each question is worth one point unless otherwise noted.
Sources for students:
“ Animal Nutrition Manual” http://www.atnesa.org/docs/Alimuddin-Naseri-Animal-Nutrition-
Manual.pdf
Pictures taken from: http://equinenutritionnerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/happyhorsehealthyplanet_compare.jpg
http://www.spanishbit.co.uk/img/pics/countryfile_h2ofarm_thumb.jpg
Dry Matter (DM):
1. How is dry matter determined?
It’s the amount (in kg) of organic matter and crude protein in feedstuff.
Crude Protein
2. How is protein utilized and why is it needed?
Proteins are “building blocks”, they’re necessary for growth, maintenance, reproduction,
and lactation.
3. What are the five consequences of a low protein diet?
Low milk production, less protein in the milk, loss of body weight in lactation, increased
risk of infection, and low fertility.
4. Define the term “non-protein nitrogen”.
Nitrogen in a feed that doesn’t come from protein.
5. What is a cheap source of Non protein nitrogen?
Urea.
Energy
6. Energy contents of feedstuff can be subdivided into two groups. What are they?
Carbohydrates and lipids.
7. Carbohydrates are sugars and starches derived from what?
Cereals, tubers, roots, and other substances such as lignin and cellulose.
8. What is the importance of crude fiber in the diet?
It’s important for the functioning of the rumen.
9. What percentage of roughage should be in the diet?
At least 30%.
10. Why is fat necessary in feed?
It provides energy and vitamins.
11. What type of feedstuffs provide the highest fat content?
Foodstuff derived from oilseeds (such as cotton).
Inorganic Matter
12. What is another term used to describe Inorganic Matter?
Ash.
13. How is Inorganic matter measured?
By burning samples until no carbon is left.
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Minerals
14. A deficiency of this mineral might be displayed by the animal chewing wood and a lower
milk yield. This is the most important deficiency in grazing animals as it is related to a
deficiency in soils. Name the mineral: phosphorus.
15. A deficiency of this mineral may result in rickets, especially in claves. This is the most
abundant mineral in the body. Name the mineral: calcium.
16. What are good sources of Phosphorous for cattle?
Cereal grains, bonemeal, dicalcium P, milk, and fish meal.
17. What is the proper Calcium to Phosphorous ration for cattle? 1.5-2 : 1
18. What minerals are important in the regulation of body fluids and acid-base balance?
Potassium and sodium chloride.
19. Which mineral is closely associated with Calcium and Phosphorous and may be inhibited
by high levels of K from manured pasture grass?
Magnesium.
20. A deficiency of this trace mineral might result in anemia, especially in young calves which
are fed only on milk.
Rickets
Iron.
21. A deficiency of this trace mineral may result in breeding problems and birth of hairless,
weak, or dead calves. Name this mineral: Iodine. What type of feed might be administered
token to avoid this deficiency? Kale, rape, rape seed, and cabbage.
Vitamins
22. Why is there not a concern of deficiencies in ruminants with regard to water soluble
vitamins?
They can synthesize vitamin B and C themselves.
23. What vitamin assists in the depositing of Calcium and phosphorous and may be deficient
in indoor animals?
Vitamin D.
24. Which fat soluble vitamin is important for fertility?
Vitamin E.
25. Which fat soluble vitamin assists in blood clotting?
Vitamin K.
Part B - Effect of proper nutrition on Ruminant Digestive System (30 points total)
Directions: Use the web link posted below for “Animal Nutrition Manual” to analyze and respond in short answer
format to questions 1-25 (below). Sub headings are designed to guide students through the training manual. Each
question is worth one point unless otherwise noted.
Sources for students:“ Animal Nutrition Manual” http://www.atnesa.org/docs/Alimuddin-Naseri-Animal-
Nutrition-Manual.pdf
Mouth:
1. What are the important minerals found in saliva that control acid formation in the Rumen?
Sodium bicarbonate, phosphorus, and potassium.
2. How can rumination be used to determine good health in ruminants?
The average cow needs about 8 hours a day for rumination and each bolus should be
ruminated 40-50 times.
Picture taken from: http://assets.fwi.co.uk/5233518-rumen-development-guide.jpg
Stomach complex
3. How is the pre-stomach in newborn calves stimulated and when should this stimulation begin?
By feeding them roughage and concentrates starting 1 week after birth.
4. In an adult cow, the four stomachs together compromise roughly what percentage of the
abdominal cavity?
75%.
Rumen contents
5. What two gases are produced by RMOs?
Methane gas and carbon dioxide.
6. What are the two possible fates of these gases?
They’re expelled by the lungs through breathing or though eructation/burping.
7. Rumen contractions in a healthy ruminant should occur 10-12 times per 5 minutes.
Rumen climate
8. The Rumen climate is anaerobic with an optimum pH of what?
6-7.
9. What practice may cause the pH to decrease to levels below 6?
Concentrate diets (low fiber and high energy).
10. What are the consequences of low pH?
Lower butterfat percentage, depressed appetite, metabolic disorders, and possibly death.
11. How does the pH of the rumen compare to that of a monogastric animal?
Monogastric animals have a stomach pH of 2, which is significantly more acidic.
Carbohydrate fermentation
12. Generally 90% of the carbohydrates are broken down into what three volatile fatty acids?
Acetic, butyric, and propionic acid.
13. What are the two possible fates of Volatile fatty acids?
They’re either absorbed into the bloodstream or used by RMO’s for the development of
microbial tissues.
14. If Dry Matter concentrates exceeds 70%, what are the consequences?
Propionic acid production begins to exceed acetic acid production and the rumen pH is
lowered.
15. Describe the result of the following environment in the rumen
a. pH of 5: Appetite decreases and there’s lower butterfat content in the milk.
b. pH of 3: The animal would experience shock and die of toxemia.
Lipid Digestion
16. Describe the evolutionary development of ruminants and their ability to digest lipids.
RMOs have a limited capacity to digest lipids because ruminants evolved to be plant-eaters
and therefore have a low-fat diet.
17. What happens if fat/lipid content is increased above 100gr/kg of Dry matter?
Decreased fermentation of carbohydrates & reduced DM intake.
Protein Degradation
18. Most of the true proteins entering the rumen are degraded by RMOs into amino-acids and
ammonia.
19. With most diets, where does the majority of protein (reaching the small intestine of a cow) come
from?
Microbes.
20. Why is by pass protein essential in highly productive dairy cows?
The capacity of the RMOs is too low to synthesize all the necessary protein.
21. Describe how a negative Nitrogen balance (or largely undegradable protein) can lead to “dying
with a full stomach”
Ammonia concentration decreases, RMO growth slows, & food takes longer to ferment in the
rumen, resulting in slowed digestion and the cow feeling less hungry.
22. What is the minimum level of required ammonia for proper functioning of RMOs?
A diet of 7% CP.
23. What happens if protein degradation proceeds more rapidly than the synthesis of microbial
protein?
The excess ammonia is converted to urea and excreted by the kidneys into the urine.
24. What is the optimum Crude protein level in the ruminant diet?
13%.
25. When is Supplementation of urea recommended?
When roughage is poor quality (low energy & protein).
Nutritional Concerns: Ruminal Tympany (Bloat)
Picture taken from: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j313/Lilredwitch/Critters/05-22-13Banditbloat02_zps53d17f45.jpg
Directions: Use the web link posted below for online textbook “pathophysiology of the digestive system” to analyze
and respond in short answer format to questions 26-30 (below). Each question is worth one point unless otherwise
noted
Sources for students:
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/tympany.html
26. How do ruminants get rid of the enormous amount of gas that builds up during fermentation?
Through eructation/belching.
27. What is the difference between frothy bloat and free bloat?
In frothy bloat fermentation gases are trapped in foam which can’t be eructated, and in free
bloat the animal can’t expel free gas in the rumen.
28. Cattle that fall in a ditch and are unable to right themselves might die of hypoxia. Why?
Ruminants can’t eructate when lying on their back and will become bloated.
29. What are four clinical signs of bloat?
Abdominal distension, reluctance to move, respiratory distress, and signs of distress (anxiety &
vocalization).
30. In a life threatening situation, how should bloat be treated?
Through emergency rumenotomy.
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