Roughage directly affects the intestinal health of cows through its structural value, the fermentation rate in the rumen, and the quality of the end product that reaches the small and large intestine. A ration with sufficient structural value stimulates healthy rumen function, which lays the foundation for stable intestinal function. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about roughage and intestinal health in dairy cattle.
What role does the rumen play in the digestion of roughage?
The rumen is the first and largest digestive compartment in cows and acts as a fermentation vat where billions of micro-organisms break down roughage. Without a properly functioning rumen, insufficiently digested material reaches the small intestine, leading to disturbed nutrient absorption and increased pressure on the intestinal wall.
The microbes in the rumen convert cellulose, starch, and other carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. Acetic acid provides energy for the cow itself and supports milk fat production. Propionic acid serves as a glucose source for the liver. Butyric acid has a direct nutritive effect on the intestinal epithelial cells, both in the rumen and further along the gastrointestinal tract.
Healthy rumen function requires a stable microbial population, also known as eubiosis. When the ration contains too many rapidly fermentable carbohydrates and too little structural roughage, the balance shifts toward dysbiosis. This increases lactic acid production, lowers rumen pH, and ultimately damages the intestinal wall further along the gastrointestinal tract. Rumen health in cows is therefore the key to intestinal health.
How does the structural value of roughage affect intestinal function?
The structural value of roughage determines how long a cow chews and how much saliva she produces. Saliva contains bicarbonate, which buffers rumen pH. The more structural roughage in the ration, the more stable the pH in the rumen and the healthier the intestinal function downstream.
Roughage with a high structural value, such as grass silage with long fiber length or straw, stimulates rumination time. A cow that ruminates sufficiently produces more saliva and keeps the rumen environment stable. This promotes the growth of fiber-degrading bacteria and inhibits the excessive growth of lactic acid-producing micro-organisms.
A low structural value, such as with finely chopped maize silage or overripe grass silage, reduces rumination time. The result is lower saliva production, a declining rumen pH, and an increased risk of subclinical rumen acidosis. This acidosis compromises the integrity of the intestinal wall, allowing harmful substances to leak more easily through the intestinal wall. In practice, dairy farmers notice this as loose manure, undigested feed residues in the manure, or fluctuating feed intake.
What are the consequences of poor roughage quality for intestinal health?
Poor quality roughage disrupts rumen fermentation and increases the risk of intestinal irritation, loose manure, and reduced nutrient absorption. The consequences are noticeable in the technical performance of the cow and in her overall resilience.
Poor roughage quality has multiple causes and consequences:
- Excessively high starch content from overripe maize accelerates fermentation and increases the risk of rumen acidosis
- Mold formation in silage introduces mycotoxins that damage the intestinal wall and suppress immune function
- Excessively low crude protein content reduces microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, lowering the availability of amino acids for the small intestine
- High butyric acid content in grass or maize silage indicates poor ensiling fermentation and can strongly reduce feed intake
- Insufficient fiber length reduces rumination time and lowers rumen pH
The combination of these factors leads to a weakened intestinal barrier. When the tight junctions in the intestinal epithelium are damaged, bacteria and toxins can reach the bloodstream. This increases the inflammatory burden on the cow and reduces milk production and fertility in the longer term.
Which roughage is best for a healthy gut in cows?
The best roughage for a healthy gut in cows combines a high structural value, a stable fermentation rate, and good ensiling quality. Grass silage mown at the right time, well-ensiled maize silage, and fresh grass are the most valuable basic components for a healthy ration.
Grass silage mown at an early stage has a high protein content and good digestibility, but requires careful ensiling to prevent butyric acid formation. Maize silage provides energy and structure, but must be harvested at the correct dry matter content to avoid over-fermentation. Straw has a low nutritional value but a high structural value and is used as a structural correction in rations with too little fiber.
Fresh grass is for many cows the most natural and gut-friendly roughage, provided the proportion is not too high. A ration based entirely on fresh grass can lead to loose manure due to the high potassium content and rapid fermentation. The key lies in the balance: structural, well-fermented roughage as a base, supplemented with concentrate feed and possibly additives to support rumen function.
How can the ration be adjusted to improve intestinal health?
Adjusting the ration to improve the intestinal health of cows requires attention to structural value, fermentation rate, and the balance between energy and protein. Small adjustments in composition or feeding sequence can already have a noticeable effect on rumen stability and intestinal function.
Practical steps to optimize the ration:
- Increase the structural value by adding straw or longer-fiber grass silage when rumination time falls below 7 hours per day
- Limit the proportion of rapidly fermentable starch by combining maize silage with structural grass or grain GPS silage
- Regularly check ensiling quality for pH, butyric acid content, and mold formation before the feed is used
- Spread the concentrate feeding over multiple moments per day to prevent peak fermentation in the rumen
- Add rumen-supporting additives when the ration deviates from the ideal pattern due to circumstances, such as during periods of heat stress or around calving
Around calving, the cow is particularly vulnerable to intestinal problems. During the dry period and the first weeks after calving, the ration shifts significantly, putting the rumen flora under pressure. A gradual transition and sufficient structural value in the start-up ration are especially important during this phase. Products that support rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis can be a valuable addition during this period to the feed and drinking water advice.
When are intestinal problems in cows a sign of a roughage problem?
Intestinal problems in cows are a sign of a roughage problem when they occur structurally in a herd and coincide with a change in roughage batch, ensiling quality, or ration composition. Incidental problems in individual animals more often point to infectious causes or a metabolic problem.
Signals indicating a roughage-related intestinal problem include:
- Loose or watery manure in multiple cows simultaneously, without identifiable infection
- Undigested feed residues in the manure, such as whole maize kernels or long fibers
- Declining feed intake after switching to a new silage or roughage batch
- Fluctuating milk production or milk fat content that varies significantly
- Increased rumen fill in some cows and empty rumens in other animals in the same herd
A practical check is the rumen fill score: cows with an empty rumen on the left side of the body have had insufficient roughage intake. At the same time, a low rumination time in the herd confirms that the structural value of the roughage is insufficient. When these signals coincide with a new silage or a seasonal change, the roughage is the most likely cause.
In that case, have a feed analysis carried out on the current silage and compare the results with the previous batch. Small differences in dry matter content, starch content, or pH can already have a major impact on rumen function and the intestinal health of the herd.
How Jodoco helps with intestinal health in cows
We at Jodoco support dairy farmers and nutritionists with scientifically substantiated products that strengthen the rumen and intestinal health of cows, even when the ration is under pressure. Our solutions for ruminants have been developed on the basis of more than 25 years of in-house research and collaboration with universities and research institutes.
Our products offer concrete benefits for intestinal health in cows:
- Ruval. Plus and Ruval. Max stimulate rumen fermentation, improve fiber digestion, and support microbial protein synthesis through natural betaine and organic acids
- Acibet. G improves feed intake, supports liver function, and reduces the negative energy balance around calving, a critical period for intestinal health
- Acibet. TMR prevents heating of the total mixed ration, keeping the feed palatable and hygienic for longer and maintaining stable feed intake
- Glycoboost offers a palatable alternative to monopropylene glycol for ketosis prevention and supports rumen function during the transition period
Betaine, the core component in our ruminant products, acts as an osmolyte and methyl donor. It protects intestinal cells against stress, improves villus height in the intestine, and promotes a healthy microbiome balance. Want to know more about the function of betaine as a nutrient for ruminants? On our website you will find a comprehensive overview of the scientific background.
Would you like to know which product best suits your situation or ration? Contact us and we will be happy to think along with you.
