Animal Nutrition Basics

Feeding animals too much can lead to wasted resources and reduced performance.

Feeding animals too little can hinder growth and profitability.

Natural grasses and shrubs are a valuable resource, especially during rainy periods.

Crop residue, like straw and corn cobs, can be used as extra feed.

Ensuring a consistent supply of grass and legumes by managing grazing and using fertilizer.

Plants cultivated for their edible vegetative parts, used fresh or preserved. They are a vital source of feed for livestock.

Grasses and legumes that provide bulk feed for ruminants. Some grasses are higher in fiber than others, impacting digestion.

Plant sources like alfalfa, vetch, and sesbania, richer in protein compared to grasses. They offer valuable vitamins and minerals.

By-products from industrial processes, such as flour, oilseed cakes, molasses, and brewery by-products. Used to supplement animal feed.

These by-products are highly palatable and easily consumed by farm animals. They often provide additional nutrients to the diet.

Concentrates are feed resources high in energy and/or protein, typically processed from grains, legumes, or oilseeds, and are often used to supplement roughages for livestock.

Roughages are bulky, fibrous feeds that are primarily plant-based and are often used as the main source of feed for ruminants. They are high in fiber and lower in energy compared to concentrates.

Dry roughages are roughages that have very little moisture content, like hay, straw, husks, and stover. These are harvested and dried for later use.

Green growing pasture is a type of roughage that is fresh and growing, with a high moisture content. It is typically a good source of both energy and nutrients for livestock.

Byproducts are materials leftover from the processing of other products, like bran or soybean meal. They often contain valuable nutrients and can be used as feed supplements for animals.

Concentrates are nutrient-rich feed sources, like corn and cottonseed, that are highly digestible and categorized into energy-rich and protein-rich types.

Energy-rich concentrates, like cereal grains and tubers, provide a significant amount of energy for farm animals.

Protein-rich concentrates, such as soybeans and beans, are crucial for building and repairing tissues in farm animals.

Water is essential for various bodily functions in farm animals, including digestion, blood circulation, and waste elimination.

Carbohydrates, like wheat and maize, serve as the main source of energy for farm animals.

Inorganic elements essential for normal bodily function. They are classified into macro and micro minerals, based on the quantity needed.

Organic compounds essential for metabolism and growth.

Minerals required in larger quantities by the body.

Minerals required in smaller quantities by the body.

A crucial component of animal diets, providing energy and essential nutrients. Examples include grains, crop residues, and molasses.

The minimum amount of feed necessary to maintain an animal's body weight and health.

Feed designed for animals that are producing something, like milk, eggs, or meat, in addition to just maintaining them.

The process of figuring out the right mix of ingredients to create a complete and balanced feed for an animal.

The ability of a feed to be easily eaten and enjoyed by animals.

How well the body can digest and absorb nutrients from the feed.

A type of feed rich in protein, often used for livestock, examples include alfalfa, vetch, and sesbania.

The impact of certain types of feed on animal health and production. This can include things like reduced weight, stunted growth, poor product quality.

These are elements essential for animal growth and health, examples include magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, and zinc.

Materials derived from agricultural or industrial processes, often used as supplements to animal feed. Examples include bone meal, limestone, and common salt.

A type of feed that can lead to various negative impacts on animals, including rough hair coat, coughing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes.

The amount of dry matter in a feed, excluding moisture.

A method for balancing rations using a square diagram to calculate the ration.

The ratio of protein (CP) to other nutrients in a feed.

The weight of each feed in a ration, determined by calculations based on desired nutrient targets.

Hay is a dried forage that's harvested during growing seasons. It's the oldest and most common way to store feed, and can be made with simple tools.

Silage is created by fermenting green crops in an oxygen-free environment. This process helps preserve nutrients and makes feed available when fresh food is scarce.

The process of making silage involves several steps like harvesting, chopping, and sealing crops in a silo. This controlled fermentation preserves the nutrients and creates a high-quality feed.

The primary purpose of silage is to provide a nutritious feed source during periods when fresh forage is limited. This ensures animals have a consistent source of food throughout the year.

Feed conservation techniques like making hay and silage are essential for ensuring a consistent food supply for livestock. This helps farmers maintain animal health and productivity, even during periods of resource scarcity.

The process of combining multiple ingredients with different compositions into a homogenous mixture, used for feeding animals.

Complex mixtures of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that are added to compound feeds.

The initial step in compound feed making, involving sorting and cleaning raw ingredients to ensure quality and safety.

The process of grinding feed ingredients into smaller particles, increasing surface area for better digestion and absorption.

The final stage of compound feed making, where the mixed feed is packaged, labeled, and stored until it's ready to be shipped out.