How Does A Cow Turn Grass Into Milk

Cows have the most unusual system for turning grass into milk.  

They have not one, but four stomachs – each of which performs a special function.

1. The Rumen

When cows graze on grass they swallow it half chewed and mix it with water in their first stomach called the Rumen.  It is here that the digestion process starts.

2. The Reticulum

In the Reticulum the grass is formed into small wads called ‘cuds’.  Each cud is then returned to the mouth where the cow chews it 40 to 60 times for about 1 minute.

3. The Omasum

The chewed cud is swallowed into a third stomach, the Omasum, where it is pressed to reduce water and broken down further.

4. The Abomasum

The grass then passes to the fourth stomach, called the Abomasum where it is digested.  Finally it passes through the intestines where the cow takes out everything she needs to keep her healthy and strong and make good milk.

NOTE:  Because a cow makes milk night and day, she needs to be milked regularly.