Tag: Animal husbandry

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), feed and feed ingredients are substances intended for animal consumption that, when used as intended, should not present an unacceptable risk to consumer health. This comprehensive guide delves into what is the definition of animal food, exploring the various types, nutritional aspects, and regulatory distinctions that govern its production and use.

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.

Over 100 years ago, the TDN system was developed as a metric for estimating the energy value of feedstuffs, and it remains a commonly used tool in livestock nutrition today. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) represents the sum of all digestible nutrients within a feed, providing a valuable estimate of the energy an animal can derive from its diet.

Globally, beef is the third most widely consumed meat, but not everyone knows its origin. The answer to which animal gives you beef lies with cattle, a domesticated bovine animal raised for its meat, milk, and other by-products. This article explores the details of cattle farming and the types of beef that end up on our plates.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), concentrates made up about a quarter of all animal feed globally in the mid-1980s. While all concentrates are a type of feed, not all feeds are concentrates. Understanding the difference between feed and concentrate is crucial for balancing livestock diets for optimal health and productivity.

Approximately 60-70% of a typical dairy cow's diet is comprised of carbohydrates. Basal energy feed, often referred to as a carbohydrate concentrate, is a high-energy animal feed that provides the necessary sugars and starches to power the vital functions of livestock and other animals. These feeds are low in crude fiber, low in protein, and are highly digestible to provide an efficient source of calories.

Approximately 70% of a horse's dietary needs can be met by high-quality forage, but these diets often lack essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The purpose of a ration balancer is to fill these nutritional gaps, providing a concentrated, low-calorie source of vital nutrients for animals whose energy requirements are already met by their primary forage source.

True digestibility provides a more accurate assessment of a feedstuff's nutrient value compared to apparent digestibility because it accounts for an animal's unavoidable endogenous losses. Mastering this calculation is critical for precise nutritional evaluation and effective feed formulation.

Scientific feeding with a balanced ration has been shown to increase milk production by 15-20% and reduce enteric methane emissions in lactating dairy animals. A balanced ration is a crucial component of modern livestock management, ensuring that animals receive the precise mix of nutrients necessary for health, growth, and maximum productivity.

Over 1.5 billion cattle are currently living on Earth, making them one of the most common domesticated animals. The term 'bovine' refers to a subfamily of hoofed mammals that includes a wide array of species, such as domestic cattle, bison, and buffalo. Understanding the origins of these animals reveals a deep and complex history of co-existence with humans.