1. 1 The major domestic ruminants are cattle, sheep, goats, water buffalo, and the camelidae. Ruminants have a multicompartmented stomach that facilitates digestion of fibrous feedstuffs such as forages and crop residues. The largest compartment, the rumen, functions as a large fermentation chamber in which millions of symbiotic microorganisms break down complex cellulosic and other materials into relatively simple nutrients that can be utilized to support animal productivity. Fitzhugh, H. A. , H.J. Hodgson , O. J. Scoville , T. D. Nguyen , and T. C. Byerly . 1978. The role of ruminants in support of man. 136 pp. Morrilton, Arkansas: Winrock International.