The Open School of Tropical Animal Science & Production

AGLS 3003 - Ruminant Production Systems
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  Lecture Slides 1.1 - Introduction
Lecture Slides
    2. 1.1 What are Ruminants
      1. 2.1.1 Sheep
      2. 2.1.2 Goat
      3. 2.1.3 Cattle
      1. 2.2.1 Definition of Ruminants
      2. 2.2.2 Ruminant Stomach
      3. 2.2.3 Digestive Track
      4. 2.2.4 Nutrition
      1. 2.3.1 Reproductive System
      2. 2.3.2 Males
      3. 2.3.3 Females
      4. 2.3.4 Pregnancy
      1. 2.4.1 Mammary Glands
      2. 2.4.2 Growth/Regulation
      3. 2.4.3 Milk Composition
      4. 2.4.4 Regression
      5. 2.4.5 Milk Let-down
      1. 2.5.1 Genetics
      2. 2.5.2 Adaptation
        1. 2.5.3.1 Homeotherms
        2. 2.5.3.2 Heat Dissipation
      4. 2.5.4 Climate
    2. 3.1 Sheep Production
      1. 4.1.1 Goats in the New World
      2. 4.1.2 Caribbean Breeds
      3. 4.1.3 Breeding Stock
      4. 4.1.4 Do's and Dont's!
        1. 4.2.1.1 Requirements
        2. 4.2.1.2 Pysiological States
        3. 4.2.1.3 Energy Sources
        1. 4.2.2.1 Does
        2. 4.2.2.2 Weaners
        3. 4.2.2.3 Bucks
        4. 4.2.2.4 Formulation
      1. 4.3.1 Ex-/In-tensive Systems
      2. 4.3.2 Housing & Equipment
      3. 4.3.3 Milking Platform
      4. 4.3.4 Care
      5. 4.3.5 Kid rearing
      6. 4.3.6 Meat production
      7. 4.3.7 Record keeping
      1. 4.4.1 Common Diseases
      2. 4.4.2 Parasites
      3. 4.4.3 Performance Coefficients
    2. 5.1 Dairy Production
    2. 6.1 Beef Production
    2. 7.1 Buffalo Production
    2. 8.1 Forage Production
    1. 9.1 Acknowledgements
    2. 9.2 References
In this section, we cover:

1.1 What are ruminants  - what are the defining sets of features for these animals
  

1.1 What are ruminants

Before we begin, we should attempt to address the following question: What are Ruminant animals?

Ruminants are a division of a group of animals with even-toed hoofs (ungulates). They have a stomach with four complete cavities; the food of the first and second (the Reticulo-Rumen) being returned to the mouth, re-chewed and swallowed, and digested in the other cavities. In addition, in the first two (2) (the Reticulum, and the Rumen) digestion of fibre is aided by microbes, which produce enzymes, which aid in fibre breakdown. These enzymes also breakdown protein.

Schematics of a generalized ruminant digestive system is shown below.


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Prof. Gary W. Garcia, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad. Version 3. Updated: 27-Oct-2014