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Feed Stuffs & Rations

By - Amanda Brown

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Nutrients

What is a nutrient?�
Different kinds of nutrients, broken into groups

Energy Nutrients
Proteins
Vitamins
Minerals
Water�

Right nutrients, in correct balance for species and stage of life/production.

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Energy Nutrients

Made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen�
Provides energy for movement and body heat�
Extra converted to fat and stored in the body�
Carbohydrates

Main energy nutrient in animal rations
Simple carbohydrates: Sugars & Starches
Complex carbohydrates: Cellulose & Lignin (fiber)�

Fats & Oils

2.25 times the energy of carbohydrates
Fats vs Oils
Easily digested, provide fat soluble vitamins

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Proteins

Organic compounds of amino acids�
Composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen

Some contain sulfur, phosphorus, & iron�

Builds body tissue; essential to fetal development�
Extra is broken down with nitrogen eliminated in urine and remaining converted to energy or body fat�
Different essential amino acid requirements between species

10 Amino Acids for Swine, 14 for poultry

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Vitamins

Trace organic compounds�
All contain carbon but are different chemically�
Fat-soluble

Healthy eyes, good conception rate, disease resistance, bone development, mineral balance, normal reproduction, muscle development, blood clotting�

Water-soluble

Teeth & bone formation, prevention of infections, improve appetite, growth, reproduction

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Minerals

Inorganic materials needed in various amounts.�
Contain no carbon�
Provide material for growth of bones, teeth, & tissue�
Regulate chemical processes�
Divided into 2 groups

Major Minerals: Salt, Calcium, Phosphorus
Trace minerals: Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Iron, Iodine, Copper, Cobalt, Zinc, Manganese, Boron, Molybdenum, Fluorine, & Selenium

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Water

Often forgotten as an important nutrient�
Amount of water in body 40-80% dependent on age, animal species, and condition.�
Dissolves nutrients, control body temperature, carrier of nutrients in the blood, needed for chemical reactions�
Fresh, clean, and continuous supply of water is key for rapid growth and efficient production in all species.

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Feed Additives

Any material used in a ration to improve feed efficiency, promote faster gains, improve animal health, or increase production of animal products.�
Kind of Additives & Hormones

Antimicrobial Drugs: Antibiotics & chemoantibacterial/chemotherapeutic compounds
Hormones & Hormone-Like Compounds
Anthelmintics (dewormers)
Other Additives: Coccidiostats, Probiotics, Sodium Bicarbonate, Antioxidants, Tranquilizers, Copper Compounds

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Commercial Feed Tags/Feed Labels

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Feed Classifications

Roughages

Contain more than 18% crude fiber when dry
Includes hay, silage, pasture, and fodder
2 General Classes: Legume & Non Legume�

Concentrates

Contain less than 18% crude fiber when dry
Two classes of concentrates: Protein Supplements & Energy Feeds
Protein supplements contain 20% or more protein can be animal based or vegetable proteins
Energy Feeds are those with less than 20% crude protein

Legume Roughages: Clovers, alfalfa, soybeans, trefoil, lespedeza, peas, beans (Usually higher protein than non-legume roughages)�

Non-legume Roughages: Corn silage, sorghum silage, fodders, blue-grass, timothy, redtop, bromegrass, orchard grass, fescue, coastal bermudagrass, common bermudagrass, and prairie grasses�

Protein Supplements: Animal Based - Meat scraps, meat and bonemeal, fish meal, dried skimmed milk, dried whole milk, blood meal, feather meal, tankage (animal tissues & bones from slaughterhouses & rendering plants which were cooked, dried, & ground), Plant/Vegetable Based - Soybean meal, cottonseed meal, linseed oil meal, peanut oil meal, corn gluten feed, brewer’s dried grains, and dried distillers grains�

Energy Feeds: Most grains used including: corn, sorghum grain, oats, barley, rye, wheat, ground ear corn, wheat bran, wheat middlings, dried citrus pulp, dried beet pulp, and dried whey.

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Characteristics of Good Rations

Balanced ration has all the nutrients an animal needs in the right proportions and amounts.�
Need to be palatable�
Should not harm the health of the animal or lower quality of the product�
Balance roughages and concentrates for species, age of the animal, and purpose of the animal (fattening vs breeding).�
Micronutrients & additives used in small quantities and mixed thoroughly for uniform distribution.

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Functions of Good Rations

Maintenance�
Growth�
Fattening�
Production�
Reproduction�
Work

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Balancing Rations

Rations must meet nutritional needs.�
Animals require a certain amount of dry matter.�
Amount of protein is measured by total protein or digestible protein.�
Calcium and phosphorus ratios are important, for most animals between 1:1 and 2:1 although ruminants can tolerate ratios as high as 7:1

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