Cannulated cow
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A cannulated cow can be referred to a cow that has been surgically fitted with a cannula. A cannula acts as a porthole-like device that allows access to the rumen of a cow. This addition of a cannula to a cow allows extensive research and analysis of the digestive system of a cow that otherwise could not have taken place. The activity of surgically fitting a cow with a cannula can be traced back to as early as the 1920s.
Forage analysis
A forage analysis can take place due to the access of the rumen through a cannula. This analysis shows producers which forages are optimal for the use of their individual operation. A forage analysis is collected through the cannula. Once the cannula is surgically placed in the cow, a cow is then allowed to graze for a certain period of time. Once the allotted time is up, the material that is located in the cannula is collected and tested.