Stool Observation

Tall firm stools are a sign the cattle are consuming significant levels of roughage. Flat brown stools indicate that the cattle are consuming a higher amount of grain but are not incurring digestive upsets. Flat grey stools are a sign of acidosis. Acidosis is the most common nutritional disorder in the feedlot. A large amount of highly fermentable feeds, such as cereal grains, consumed in a short amount of time can result in the production of morelactic acid than can be buffered by the rumen. This results in water from the circulatory system being drawn into the rumen (the body becomes dehydrated) and pronounced changes in the blood Ph. Signs will usually be acute or sub-acute. Survivors of acute acidosis may have chronic problems such as fungal rumenitis, liver abscesses, bloat, and the founder of laminitis.

Flat grey stools may be observed before an actual drop in intake occurs. Pens that have a majority of flat brown stools and a few grey stools are a sign that cattle are optimising intake.