Animal ScienceAnimal Science

Balancing Animal Feed Balancing Animal Feed RationsRations

ObjectivesObjectives

Identify the steps in balancing a Identify the steps in balancing a ration.ration.

Discuss the importance of feed Discuss the importance of feed analysis.analysis.

Discuss how nutritional information is Discuss how nutritional information is used in developing rations.used in developing rations.

Develop balanced rations using the Develop balanced rations using the Pearson square method.Pearson square method.

TermsTerms

ashash caloriecalorie crude proteincrude protein dietdiet dry matterdry matter

feed analysisfeed analysis feeding feeding

standardsstandards feedstufffeedstuff Pearson square Pearson square

methodmethod rationration

What are the steps in What are the steps in balancing a ration?balancing a ration?

A A ration ration is the total amount of feed an is the total amount of feed an animal consumes in a 24-hour period. animal consumes in a 24-hour period.

A ration needs to provide the right amount A ration needs to provide the right amount and proportion of nutrients needed by the and proportion of nutrients needed by the animal during its particular life cycle animal during its particular life cycle stage. stage.

A A diet diet is the type and amount is the type and amount of feed an animal receives of feed an animal receives in its ration. in its ration.

What are the steps in balancing What are the steps in balancing a ration?a ration?

Diets should be based on the needs Diets should be based on the needs of the animal being fed and the of the animal being fed and the nutrient content of the feed nutrient content of the feed available. available.

There are four basic steps that There are four basic steps that should be followed when developing should be followed when developing a balanced ration.a balanced ration.

Nutrient needs of the animal Nutrient needs of the animal should be identifiedshould be identified

This is done by identifying the kind, age, This is done by identifying the kind, age, weight, and function of the animal for weight, and function of the animal for which the ration is being formulated. which the ration is being formulated. – A mature sow in lactation has different nutrient A mature sow in lactation has different nutrient

needs than a newborn piglet. needs than a newborn piglet. – The nutrient need requirements are called The nutrient need requirements are called

feeding standards feeding standards and are based on and are based on average requirements; they may not meet the average requirements; they may not meet the needs under specific feeding needs under specific feeding conditions. conditions.

– Adjustments should be made if unusual Adjustments should be made if unusual conditions are present.conditions are present.

Available feedstuffs should be Available feedstuffs should be identified. (A identified. (A feedstuff feedstuff is an is an ingredient used in making feed for ingredient used in making feed for animals.) animals.) – The producer must then choose which The producer must then choose which

feedstuffs to include in the rations. feedstuffs to include in the rations. – The decision is based on The decision is based on

nutrient value of the nutrient value of the feedstuff and availability. feedstuff and availability.

Nutrient content may be found by Nutrient content may be found by consulting a feed composition table. consulting a feed composition table. – Values given are average values and Values given are average values and

may not represent the actual may not represent the actual composition values of the composition values of the feeds being used. feeds being used.

– Nutrient analysis can be Nutrient analysis can be done if the producer wants done if the producer wants to know exact to know exact nutrient values.nutrient values.

Availability of the feedstuff is Availability of the feedstuff is determined by the location of determined by the location of the producer developing the the producer developing the

rationration– For example, a producer in the Midwest For example, a producer in the Midwest

is more likely to use soybean meal as a is more likely to use soybean meal as a source of source of protein while a producer in the southern protein while a producer in the southern United States would be more likely to United States would be more likely to use cottonseed meal as a protein source use cottonseed meal as a protein source in livestock feed.in livestock feed.

The amount of each feedstuff The amount of each feedstuff to use in the ration should be to use in the ration should be

calculatedcalculated

– There are several methods that may be There are several methods that may be used. used.

– A commercial feed company would most A commercial feed company would most likely use a computer program to likely use a computer program to develop the ration. develop the ration.

– Producers developing their own rations Producers developing their own rations can use a simpler method known as the can use a simpler method known as the Pearson Square to manufacture a Pearson Square to manufacture a balanced ration on their own farms or balanced ration on their own farms or ranches.ranches.

Rations should be checked Rations should be checked against nutrient needs of the against nutrient needs of the

animals.animals.

– The rations developed should meet all of The rations developed should meet all of the requirements for minerals and the requirements for minerals and vitamins. vitamins.

– If there is an excess or deficiency, the If there is an excess or deficiency, the rations will need to be recalculated to rations will need to be recalculated to meet the requirements.meet the requirements.

Why is feed analysis Why is feed analysis important?important?

A good ration should be balanced, A good ration should be balanced, succulent, palatable, bulky, economical, succulent, palatable, bulky, economical, and suitable; it should also have variety. and suitable; it should also have variety.

A balanced ration will increase gain, A balanced ration will increase gain, decrease expense, and increase profits. decrease expense, and increase profits.

A variety of feeds will make ration A variety of feeds will make ration balancing easier and increase palatability. balancing easier and increase palatability.

A succulent ration that is juicy and fresh A succulent ration that is juicy and fresh will increase production.will increase production.

Bulky rations aid in digestibility Bulky rations aid in digestibility because of the fiber. because of the fiber.

Economical rations should provide Economical rations should provide needed nutrients and maximize needed nutrients and maximize profits. profits.

Feed analysis plays an Feed analysis plays an important role in determining important role in determining if these factors if these factors are present in a are present in a feed ration. feed ration.

Feed analysis Feed analysis is the process of is the process of determining the nutrients in a determining the nutrients in a feedstuff or in a prepared mixed feedstuff or in a prepared mixed feed. feed.

Feed analysis is most often done in a Feed analysis is most often done in a laboratory. laboratory.

The information The information gained through this gained through this process is important process is important in determining the in determining the diets of animals to diets of animals to assure a balanced assure a balanced ration.ration.– Labels on feed Labels on feed

containers report containers report some of the feed some of the feed analysis information. analysis information.

An analysis provides information in several An analysis provides information in several areas. areas.

Dry matterDry matter– the weight of feed materials after moisture has the weight of feed materials after moisture has

been driven out. been driven out. – Feed quality is based on the proportion Feed quality is based on the proportion

of water in the feed. of water in the feed. Crude proteinCrude protein

– is the nitrogen content of feed is the nitrogen content of feed multiplied by 6.25 (a constant factor). multiplied by 6.25 (a constant factor).

– Feedstuffs with higher crude protein are Feedstuffs with higher crude protein are typically more nutritious.typically more nutritious.

FatFat– Fat content is determined by using an Fat content is determined by using an

ether extract process. ether extract process. – The ether dissolves the fat. The ether dissolves the fat. – The remaining feed material is weighed, The remaining feed material is weighed,

and a percentage of fat is calculated.and a percentage of fat is calculated. AshAsh

– is the residue that remains after the is the residue that remains after the feed has been burned at a temperature feed has been burned at a temperature of 1112°F (600°C).of 1112°F (600°C).

Crude fiberCrude fiber– Crude fiber is determined by boiling the feed Crude fiber is determined by boiling the feed

material in an acid and using laboratory material in an acid and using laboratory procedures to dry the feed. procedures to dry the feed.

– The weight before and after drying is measured The weight before and after drying is measured and used to calculate the percent.and used to calculate the percent.

Nitrogen-free extract (NFE)Nitrogen-free extract (NFE)– The percentage of NFE is determined by The percentage of NFE is determined by

subtracting the percentage of water, crude subtracting the percentage of water, crude protein, ether extract, ash, and crude fiber from protein, ether extract, ash, and crude fiber from 100.100.

MineralsMinerals– Feed materials can be analyzed for mineral Feed materials can be analyzed for mineral

content. content.

How is nutritional information How is nutritional information used in developing rations?used in developing rations?

The two nutrients found in the The two nutrients found in the greatest amounts in most rations are greatest amounts in most rations are protein and energy.protein and energy.

Protein is stated as crude protein and Protein is stated as crude protein and is given as percentage or grams on is given as percentage or grams on the feed label. the feed label. – Protein needs are higher for young, Protein needs are higher for young,

lactating, and pregnant animals. lactating, and pregnant animals. – The needs of animals must be matched The needs of animals must be matched

with the diets provided.with the diets provided.

Energy comes from carbohydrates, Energy comes from carbohydrates, fats, and some proteins in feed. fats, and some proteins in feed. – Most concentrates have Most concentrates have

higher energy than do higher energy than do roughages. roughages.

Energy is stated as total Energy is stated as total digestible nutrients (TDN) and is digestible nutrients (TDN) and is measured in calories. measured in calories. – A A calorie calorie is the amount of heat needed is the amount of heat needed

to raise the temperature of one gram of to raise the temperature of one gram of water 1°C.water 1°C.

How is nutritional information How is nutritional information used in developing rations?used in developing rations?

Calories in feed or as requirements Calories in feed or as requirements are stated as kilocalorie (kcal) or are stated as kilocalorie (kcal) or megacalorie (Mcal). megacalorie (Mcal). – A kcal is 1000 calories. A kcal is 1000 calories. – An Mcal is 1,000,000 calories. An Mcal is 1,000,000 calories.

Scientists have determined the Scientists have determined the energy available in most feedstuffs energy available in most feedstuffs and the energy needed by most and the energy needed by most animals.animals.

How is nutritional information How is nutritional information used in developing rations?used in developing rations?

Nutritional information about feeds is Nutritional information about feeds is used to formulate rations. used to formulate rations.

The amount of each nutrient is The amount of each nutrient is figured into the ration. figured into the ration.

This is based on the nutrient This is based on the nutrient requirements of the animal. requirements of the animal.

The information tells the quantity of The information tells the quantity of roughages, concentrates, and roughages, concentrates, and supplements needed.supplements needed.

How are rations balanced using How are rations balanced using the Pearson square method?the Pearson square method?

The The Pearson square method Pearson square method is a simple is a simple way to calculate a ration for a specific way to calculate a ration for a specific animal. animal.

It can also be used to calculate ingredients It can also be used to calculate ingredients for batches of feed. for batches of feed.

The method works well for most types The method works well for most types of animal production. of animal production.

One weakness of this method is the One weakness of this method is the calculated ration may be adequate in calculated ration may be adequate in terms of protein but deficient in minerals terms of protein but deficient in minerals and vitamins. and vitamins.

Using this method requires information Using this method requires information on the nutrient needs of the animal and on the nutrient needs of the animal and the nutrient content of the feedstuffs the nutrient content of the feedstuffs used. used.

The feedstuffs used must be appropriate The feedstuffs used must be appropriate and practical. Information on nutrient and practical. Information on nutrient content of feedstuffs is available in feed content of feedstuffs is available in feed composition tables. composition tables.

The average nutrient needs of most The average nutrient needs of most animals are available in feeding animals are available in feeding standards tables.standards tables.

How are rations balanced using How are rations balanced using the Pearson square method?the Pearson square method?