Gut health: the key to really successful cattle operations

Gut health, often overlooked but crucial, is a vital component of a successful operation. While most people have a basic understanding of its role in nutrient absorption, there’s much more to it. As producers, fully grasping the concept and the factors that influence it can empower us to make informed decisions for our cattle’s well-being.

As producers, we are not just caretakers but pivotal guardians of gut health. Our actions and decisions directly influence the well-being of our cattle. Understanding the three main factors that affect gut health-infection, management, and environmental factors- empowers us to take proactive measures to ensure the health of our herd.

Once thought of as just part of the digestive system, research has begun to show the importance of the gut, or the gastrointestinal tract, for the overall well-being of the cow. The gastrointestinal tract is one of a ruminant’s most metabolically active tissues. According to a study in Animals, it accounts for approximately 20% of oxygen consumption and 30% of metabolic processes and protein synthesis. Keeping it in top shape is essential with all the functions the gut does.

What is gut health?

In a simple definition, gut health refers to how well the nutrients from the feed are absorbed. Since the GIT also plays a role in the animal’s immunity, it also determines how well pathogens are contained within the digestive tract. When the lining in the gut is weak, microbes and other pathogens can exit the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream. When this happens, the cow will likely develop an infection or a disease. A strong barrier here is crucial to maintaining good gut health.

While many producers understand the importance of maintaining good rumen health for production success, it’s crucial to remember that the entire digestive tract, not just the rumen, plays a vital role in preventing pathogens from entering. This holistic approach to gut health demands our full attention and responsibility, as it directly impacts our cattle’s overall health and productivity.

The immune system plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health. The primary function of the GI tract is to digest and absorb nutrients, defend against harmful pathogens, prevent harmful compounds from entering the body, and maintain a balanced microbiome. The intestinal tract only has one cell layer protecting the body instead of multiple like the rumen. Having only one layer means the intestinal tract will rely heavily on the immune system to protect it from pathogens. Depending on the immune system, the tract uses energy that the cow would typically use for production and performance.

A healthy gut:

• Will break down nutrients for optimal absorption
• Promote and maintain a healthy immune system
• Maintain the structural integrity of the intestine
• Preserve the balance of microflora
• A damaged GI tract can cause a cascade of issues, from an unbalanced microbiome to a compromised immune system, leading to a higher prevalence of pathogens and decreased digestive and absorptive capacity. This underscores the urgency of maintaining proper gut health. An unbalanced microbiome can cause a higher prevalence of pathogens
• A reduction in digestive and absorptive capacity
• Decreased intestinal integrity of the gut which will allow harmful pathogens and toxins to enter the body
• A compromised immune system

Factors that can negatively affect gut health

Stress in animals can significantly weaken their gut, making them more susceptible to pathogens. Everyday stressors like weaning, transportation, and feed restrictions can lead to diseases such as laminitis and liver abscesses. Understanding and managing these stressors can help us maintain proper gut health and prevent economic losses.

These stressors affect both the mucosal layer and the intestinal cells’ tight junctions. A breakdown in the tight junctions occurs between the epithelial cell membranes. This breakdown allows for intestinal permeability, which is essentially a ‘leaky gut’ where the pathogens can escape the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream. The pathogens entering the bloodstream will cause an immune response, making cattle more likely to get a disease.

The animal’s diet can also cause problems with gut health. A diet high in grains can significantly increase the risk of the animal developing different forms of acidosis, making it crucial for us to be cautious and attentive to the balance of our cattle’s diet.

Changes in pH caused by acidosis have been theorized to cause more problems in the hindgut rather than the rumen itself. These potential problems are because the single layer of cells in the large intestine might be more vulnerable to an acidic environment than is typically found in the rumen. Since the significant presence of immune cells in the intestine means that any change in the environment there will cause a more extensive inflammatory response.

How to promote gut health

Dietary protein is essential for maintaining immune homeostasis in the GIT. Microbes in the rumen digest this protein, keeping them active and increasing their numbers. A healthy number of microbes ensures proper digestion.

Low-fiber diets can be very stressful for cattle. They are stressful because they allow the fermentation acids to build up in the rumen and cause health problems. The build-up of acids can cause the animal to develop ulcers. The stimulation of good bacteria requires dietary fiber. Despite their benefits, too much fiber can be just as terrible. Too much fiber can decrease the total tract digestibility because of the increased bulk in the large intestines. I discuss the importance of fiber in the cattle diet in a previous post, “The truth about what roughage does for cattle.”

It is possible to manage internal parasites when grazing animals are present in most situations. The internal parasites that reside in the small intestine can cause the intestinal villi to shrink. What this does is reduce the ability to increase the surface area that is available for absorption. Using the correct type of dewormer at the right time can keep this problem under control.