Manure Evaluation: Cows and Their Rations LIVE with Dr. Mary Beth Hall and Dr. Stefano Vandoni

About this episode

Dr. Mary Beth Hall discusses the importance of manure evaluation in dairy nutrition and its relationship with cow behavior and production metrics.

This episode of the Real Science Exchange features Dr. Mary Beth Hall, founder of The Cows Are Always Right and former USDA‑ARS scientist, discussing her highly attended Real Science Exchange webinar, Manure Evaluation: Figuring Out What’s Going On Between Cows and Their Rations. Joining the pub‑table conversation are Dr. Clay Zimmerman, Dr. Stefano Vandoni, and Dr. Sion Richards. Dr. Mary Beth Hall explains why manure evaluation is one of the most reliable diagnostic tools in dairy nutrition, providing a direct biological response that may not appear in ration models or performance data. She emphasizes why manure must be evaluated alongside cow behavior and production metrics. (09:28) Mary Beth breaks down the science of fecal pH, including how to measure it correctly, why results can be misleading if done improperly, and what fecal pH reveals about digestion beyond the rumen. She explains why fecal pH does not directly reflect rumen pH and how fiber source influences hindgut fermentation. (14:46) The discussion shifts to practical manure screening on farm. Mary Beth explains what to look for when rinsing manure, how undigested fiber or grain can signal rate‑of‑passage and feed…

People in this episode

Guests: Dr. Mary Beth Hall, Dr. Stefano Vandoni

Topics covered

• manure evaluation
• dairy nutrition
• fecal pH
• cow behavior
• feed processing
• rumination monitors

Keywords

• manure evaluation
• fecal pH
• dairy nutrition
• cow behavior
• feed processing
• rumination monitors
• hindgut fermentation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: USDA‑ARS, The Cows Are Always Right

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