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Animal Nutrition
7.01
Nutrients General Information
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Nutrient- chemical element or compound that aids in the
support of life.
Ration- the amount and kind of feed given to animal on a
daily basis.
Nutrients General Information
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Roughages- feeds that contain higher fiber such as hay,
pasture grasses and silage.
Concentrates- feeds that contain less fiber such as
grains, plant and animal proteins and processed byproducts.
Nutrients General Information
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Some livestock producers feed commercially prepared
feeds sold in bags while larger scale producers will mix
their own ration.
A ration should fit the amounts and kinds of nutrients an
animal needs based on the status or function of the
animal.
Common Functions of a Ration
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Maintenance- basic nutrient requirements to keep vital body
processes functioning. All animals need maintenance
requirements met, before other functions will work.
Growth- increasing the size of bones, muscles, organs and
connective tissue.
Common Functions of a Ration
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Production- milk, eggs, wool, etc.
Reproduction- gestations, parturition and lactation.
Fattening- storage of nutrients not used for other functions.
Work- most livestock animals do not work, but police dogs,
ranch horses, etc. would fall into this classification.
Groups of Nutrients
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Carbohydrates- main energy nutrients made up of
sugars, starches, cellulose and gums, found in the largest
quantities in livestock feed, chemically composed of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
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Fats and Oils- 2.25 times the energy value of
carbohydrates, at body temperature, fats are solid and
oils are liquid. They carry the fat-soluble vitamins. Extra
carbohydrates are stored as fat. Fat is composed of
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
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Proteins- organic compounds made up of amino acids
and contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and
sometimes sulfur, phosphorus and iron.
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Vitamins- trace organic compounds, all contain carbon.
Minerals- inorganic materials or compounds needed in
small amounts. Contain no carbon.
Water- makes up 40%-80% of an animal’s body.
Functions & Sources of Nutrients
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Carbohydrates- provide energy. Common carbohydrate
sources include cereal grains such as corn, wheat, oats,
rye, barley and sorghum. Corn is most commonly grown
grain in the United States.
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Fats and Oils- furnish 2-25 times the energy value of
carbohydrates and carry fat- soluble vitamins. Often
provided by the grains and protein concentrates fed to
the animal. Animals that are lactating or in a fattening
status would need additional fat added to their diet.
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Proteins- supply material to build body tissues such as
muscles, skin and hair.
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Sources of Proteins
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Plant Sources- included soybean meal, cottonseed meal and alfalfa
meal.
Animal Sources- include meat meal, fish meal, dried milk and
synthetic nitrogen source of urea.
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Vitamins- help regulate many body functions and are
designated by letters such as A, B-complex, D, E, K. Most
vitamins are provided through feed ingredients. Premixes can be added to feed to balance vitamin amounts
based on specific needs of the animal.
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Minerals- provide material for growth of bones, teeth
and body tissue and regulate many of the vital chemical
body processes. Provided through most feed ingredients,
but pre-mixes can be added to feed to balance mineral
amounts based on specific needs of the animal.
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Water- helps dissolve other nutrients and carry them to
different parts of the body and is a vital factor in
nutrition. Water is considered by many as the most
important nutrient. Usually supplied separate from other
nutrients from water wells.
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Feed Supplements- livestock producers may also add
products such as molasses to improve palatability (taste)
and reduce feed dust.