Manure. We scrape it, we store it, we spread it. But did you know that it can tell you how your cows are getting along with their rations?

Ever wonder what it is with this fecal fascination? Think of it as “reading the tea leaves,” except with poop instead of leaves. While this excremental exploration may seem unsightly at the surface, manure can provide critical insights into the efficiency of digestion of the dairy ration.

Research looks at manure screenings for solid and nutrient separation.