Category: Livestock management

According to the National Research Council, dietary energy is the most important component of an animal's diet after water. Understanding the difference between digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) is fundamental to accurately assessing feed quality and ensuring proper nutrition for livestock and pets.

Feeding costs can account for as much as 70% of total expenses in livestock production, making proper nutrition a critical concern. Understanding what is the ratio in animal feed and how to formulate balanced diets is essential for ensuring animal health, maximizing growth, and improving profitability.

Hay is often perceived as just dry grass, but for many herbivorous animals, it is a crucial, complex food source. Understanding if there is any nutritional value in hay is key to maintaining the health and well-being of livestock and pets alike.

As a key component of the standard proximate analysis system, understanding what is ether extract in animal feed is fundamental for evaluating a feedstuff's energy content. This analytical measure is often referred to as crude fat, representing the fraction of the feed that is soluble in an organic solvent like ether. The resulting value provides valuable insight into the caloric value of a diet for livestock.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than half of all dogs in the United States were classified as overweight or obese in 2018, a health crisis often linked to the practice of ad libitum feeding. While this method offers convenience for pet owners and farmers, the drawbacks of ad libitum feeding are substantial, affecting animal health, behavior, and overall cost-efficiency. This practice, which allows animals unrestricted access to food, often leads to overconsumption and a host of associated problems.

Newborn calves benefit most from milk proteins, but as they grow, they can also use plant-based options. Understanding the best protein for calves is key to ensuring their healthy development and maximizing growth.

According to research published by FEFANA, supplemental vitamins A, D, E, and K are often needed in animal feed because the basic ingredients alone can't meet an animal's needs. This reveals that basal feeds are often low in vitamins and requires more attention for effective livestock care.

According to agricultural nutrition experts, basal feed is defined as a concentrated source of energy, primarily comprising starches and sugars. Yes, basal feed is typically high in carbohydrates, forming the main energy component of a livestock animal's diet. This article explores the types of carbohydrates in basal feed and their significance for different animals.

Carbohydrates are the most abundant component of most animal diets, comprising up to 70% or more of the dry matter in many feedstuffs like grains and forages. In essence, what are carbohydrates in feeds is a fundamental question for anyone involved in animal husbandry, as these organic compounds are the primary and most cost-effective source of energy for livestock. Without proper carbohydrate intake, animals can suffer from health issues and reduced productivity.

According to the National Research Council, a feed is classified as roughage if its crude fiber content is a minimum of 18% on a dry matter basis. This fundamental measurement of fibrous, slowly-degradable material is what distinguishes a feed as roughage and sets it apart from more nutrient-dense concentrate feeds.