Healthy digestion is the basis for productive and healthy dairy cows. But how can you assess whether the feed is really working optimally?
A tried and tested tool in practice is manure washing and evaluation. This method helps to make the digestibility of the feed visible and to identify weak points in the ration at an early stage.
Why it’s worth taking a look at the droppings
Digestion in cows is a complex process. In the rumen, fibers are broken down by microorganisms before the nutrients are absorbed in the rest of the digestive tract.
If digestion does not function optimally, this can have various consequences:
- lower milk yield
- Poorer feed conversion
- Increased metabolic stress
- economic losses
- Health problems in the portfolio
The droppings provide valuable information – they show how well the feed is actually being utilized.
What does “washing feces” mean?
When washing faeces, a faecal sample is rinsed through a sieve with water.
The aim is to make undigested food components visible.
Typical residues in the sieve can be
- Undigested grains (e.g. corn or cereals)
- Coarse or undigested fiber residues
- Slime or other residues
These residues indicate whether the feed has been sufficiently digested or whether adjustments are necessary.
How to evaluate feces correctly
In addition to washing, visual assessment also plays an important role.
Particular attention is paid to the following points:
1️⃣ Consistency
The feces should be neither too liquid nor too solid.
A medium, (oat) mushy consistency is considered optimal.
Notes:
- too thin → too energy-rich, low-structure ration with crude protein oversupply
- too firm → too little water absorption, oversupply of structure or lack of rumen-available protein/rumen-soluble starch
2️⃣ Structure
Only a few undigested particles should be visible in the feces.
Abnormalities can be:
- Whole grains → insufficient processing of the feed
- long fibers → incomplete digestion, imbalance of structure, protein and energy of the ration
- Many very small fibers → Lack of structurally effective fiber
3️⃣ Color
The color depends on the food, but should be uniform.
Deviations may indicate
- Feeding problems
- Digestive disorders
- Metabolic stresses
4️⃣ Odor
A very pungent or unusual odor may indicate malfermentation or digestive problems.
What does washing droppings say about feeding?
The results show directly whether the ration is being optimally utilized.
Possible findings:
- Feed is not sufficiently shredded
- Structure of the ration does not fit
- Starch is not fully utilized
- Rumen function is disturbed
- Adjustments to feeding are necessary
Regular checks allow problems to be detected early and rectified in a targeted manner.
Practical tip: Regularity brings security
A one-off look at the feces can be helpful –however,
regular checks provide the most reliable results.
Washing feces is particularly useful:
- with feed changes
- after silo change
- in the event of a drop in performance
- in the event of health problems
- to optimize the ration
This visibly improves digestion and feeding in the long term.
Conclusion
The cow’s digestion is decisive for performance, health and profitability on the farm.
Washing and evaluating manure is an uncomplicated but extremely effective method of making feed conversion visible and optimizing the ration in a targeted manner.
If you look regularly, you will recognize problems early – and can act in good time.
