Tag: Feed analysis

Gross energy, also known as the heat of combustion, is the total chemical energy released when a feedstuff is completely burned. It is the foundational measurement in feed energy evaluation for livestock and other animals, providing a starting point for assessing nutritional value. Understanding how this measurement is performed is crucial for animal nutritionists and producers.

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.

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.

First used in 1883, the Kjeldahl method became the standard for determining nitrogen and, by extension, protein content. Understanding how to calculate protein content in feed is crucial for optimizing animal health, maximizing productivity, and managing production costs effectively.

Over 65% of the cost of raising livestock is attributed to feed, making energy the most expensive component in an animal's diet. This is why understanding exactly how we measure the amount of energy in feed is crucial for formulating cost-effective rations and optimizing animal health and productivity.

In many scientific fields, including food science and environmental engineering, total solids and dry matter are used interchangeably, but this is a mistake. The dry matter that remains after moisture removal is commonly referred to as total solids, and these two terms effectively refer to the same thing: the non-aqueous portion of a material. However, their usage often varies by industry and context, leading to confusion over their precise definitions and application.

Overlooking the water content in animal feed can lead to significant miscalculations in nutrient intake, impacting animal health and performance. Converting 'as fed' nutrient values to a 'dry matter' basis removes the diluting effect of water, allowing for accurate nutritional comparisons across different types of feed.

Across different fields, a single term can have drastically different meanings; the concepts of **feed and residual** are prime examples, applying to everything from agricultural economics to financial analysis and livestock breeding. The specific context is crucial for correctly interpreting these terms, as their definitions vary widely depending on the industry or application.

Across various professional fields, the abbreviation TDN can have completely different and distinct meanings. Understanding the context is crucial for interpreting what the TDN stands for, as the term can relate to animal nutrition, finance, or even medicine.

According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) has been a cornerstone of feed analysis for over a century, despite its recognized limitations. This foundational metric helps farmers and nutritionists understand what is TDN in nutrition by estimating the energy value of feedstuffs for livestock.