Cannulated cow
A cannulated cow or "fistulated cow" refers 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, to perform research and analysis of the digestive system. The practice 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. 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. This analysis shows producers which forages are optimal for the use of their individual operation.
This method has led to the discovery that e-coli bacteria are caused in beef due to the use of corn feed, which they cannot digest.