Animal Feeds

Anyone raising animals on their farm knows the importance of feed on the overall health of their livestock. Proper nutrition is critical for sustaining the reproductive and productivity levels needed to run a profitable business. Diet ingredients can come from many sources with an equally wide variation of costs involved. It is therefore important that successful farmers constantly evaluate their feedstuffs and feed formulations to maintain the most cost-effective source of food for their livestock.

The nutrients in our feeds fall within one of the following six categories. They are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. An animal will require varying amounts of each, but all will be necessary for proper body functions. They require water in the largest amount. They require minerals and vitamins in the smallest amounts.

The animal's body is a chemical engine that uses the oxygen it breathes along with the food it eats to produce what they require for life. The animal will need to consume energy to power the chemical engine and other material to repair the body, meet reproductive needs (eggs, milk, offspring, etc.) and produce new growth.

Each foodstuff has a different level of digestiblility and available nutrients to the body. Thus, through feed testing and careful formulation we have developed rations to meet the animals' needs under various conditions.

When a farmer is considering what to feed his livestock, there are several factors to consider.

1. Cost
2. Convenience
3. Nutrient content
4. Age of the animal(s)
5. Animal needs (maintenance, growth,lactation,production, work)
6. Palatability, texture, appearance and moisture content
7. Storage requirements
8. Feeding systems available
9. Water availability

The hobby farmer has a much easier time deciding what to feed compared to the large-scale farmers. Many large farms use an onsite feed mixer to combine the ingredients to form a suitable diet. Most small-scale farmers will purchase commercially available pre-formulated and prepackaged feed from the local feed supplier.

For some animals such as pigs or poultry purchasing a complete feed is possible. The farmer will only need to provide water with the feed. A farmer will usually feed ruminants roughage ( hay, silage, pasture) and use a commercially prepared feed to increase nutrient levels as needed. The experienced farmer will find that a clear understanding of feed composition and formulation can result in cost savings on the farm. They have analyzed most feed ingredients to find the average content of protein, fiber, vitamins, etc. The results are readily available and can provide the basis for in-house feed formulations.

Farmers must always remember to be careful whenever they decide to develop their own ration. Many problems can develop due to an insufficient level of just one or two micro-nutrients.

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