Dairy Animals Nutrition

To make comparison possible, animals are converted to the same unit. This is called Livestock Unit (LU). One LU denotes the feed requirement of a standard animal of a certain live weight (usually 550 kg). With LU it is possible to compare feed needs for sheep, goats, calves and other animals with those of dairy…

Introduction. It is difficult to compare different animals, and animals of different ages, with each other with regard to feeding and grazing. To make comparison possible, different types of livestock are converted to the same unit. The feed intake capacity (DMI) depends on live weight, production level and quality of feed. The quantity is expressed…

From a nutritional point of view, the lactation cycle is divided into 3 periods: 1 Dry period 2 Early lactation 3 Mid- and late lactation. With a calving interval of about one year, the first 3 months after calving the cow is not pregnant and has a “peak” production. Then, after 90 days, she should…

Generally, the pre-weaning period is the most critical time of an animals’ life, usually expensive due to the high costs of milk and high quality concentrates. Calves require a lot of attention during this period. After weaning, rearing gets less critical, but calves should to no account be neglected. To allow animals to produce to…

Introduction; The impression might be given that feeding should be adjusted according to daily requirements for maintenance and production . However, a cow does not divide nutrients on daily basis for maintenance and production as used in the ration formulation. Her production is much more a reflection of the overall feeding management during her whole…

The required nutrients must be available in the quantity of DM an animal is able to consume within 24 hours. If not, a ration is not considered balanced. In practice, the maximum DMI from roughage is not more than 2% of the body-weight. .Minimum Roughage Intake To avoid disturbances in functioning of the rumen, metabolic…

The purpose of ration formulation is to provide an animal of nutrients for maintenance and (desired) production. A balanced ration formulates proportions and quantities of nutrients to properly nourish an animal for 24 hours. The economic context is an extra dimension. Decision making is necessary to aim for maximum economic benefit, maximum physical production, or…

Introduction It is difficult to compare different animals, and animals of different ages, with each other with regard to feeding and grazing. To make comparison possible, different types of livestock are converted to the same unit. The feed intake capacity (DMI) depends on live weight, production level and quality of feed. The quantity is expressed…

Nutritional needs vary depending on the needs of the animal for health and the life stages of maintenance, conception and gestation, lactation, and growth and de- development. When a female is in the gestational period, for example, nutritional needs are different than during lactation. Figure 3.1 demonstrates how the nutrient re- requirements of a mature…

The classification of animal and poultry feeds is typically based on various factors such as the type of animal or poultry being fed, the nutritional content, and the purpose for which the feed is formulated. Below is a general classification of animal and poultry feeds: 1. Based on Animal Type • Cattle Feed: Feeds specifically…

Introduction Concentrates (also mixed feeds, compound feeds or concentrate mixtures) play an important role in modern dairy cattle feeding. Usually, as a basis of most dairy production systems, concentrates are used as a supplement to roughage. Although a specific ingredient can be called concentrate, practically it is a mixture of several ingredients mixed in a…

Introduction Various classification systems are employed to differentiate feedstuffs, each according to a certain purpose. Classification of feedstuffs divided by origin into three categories: 1. Plant origin Roughage and concentrates 2. Animal origin All products have a high energy content and often a high protein content They are considered concentrates, except for poultry manure, as…

Nutrient density (digestibility) and structure value of a food are both related with CF (cell- wall) content. The higher the cell-wall content, the lower the nutrient density and the higher the structure value of a food. Nutrient density of a food is defined as its energy content per kg DM. Digestibility of a food is…

The value of protein is usually expressed as crude protein (CP) or digestible crude protein (DCP). The DCP and/or CP values are indicated: Sometimes as  %/gram CP/DCP per kg food on a wet/fresh basis, or sometimes as  the same values on a DM basis! Care should be taken! In this paper calculations will…

Introduction Expression of values are used to show the nutrient requirements and nutrient values in feedstuffs. The total value of a feedstuff in practical nutrition depends on the following factors: 1. Energy content  carbohydrates, fats, proteins & digestibility 2. Protein content  including NPN and aspects of degradability 3. Nutrient density (digestibility) and structure…