The 5 Groups of Food Nutrients

Essential Nutrients Are Necessary/Required for Life! Without any one, you or any animal will die

5 Essential Nutrients Water Protein Energy Vitamins Minerals

Water Water is the most abundant nutrient Although it is found in all feeds, it is often neglected There is 10% water in air dry feeds There is 80% water in grass

Functions of Water in the Body Helps to regulate body temperature Acts as a carrier/transporter in the form of blood, urine, and sweat

Proteins Are composed of chains of amino acids This essential nutrient is necessary in order to build parts of the animal’s body such as muscle Processing such as heating/roasting prevents bacterial digestion of this nutrient in the rumen of ruminant animals

Examples of Feeds High in Protein Meat and Bone Meal Soybeans and Meal Distillers and Brewers Grains Fish Meal Milk Products Meat Scrap Blood Meal Linseed Meal Cottonseed Meal Corn Gluten Feed and Meal

Energy Energy consists of both carbohydrates (sugars/starches) and fats/oils This nutrient provides the calories necessary for moving, working, growing, and generating heat Fats are solid at room temperature Oils are liquid at room temperature

Examples of Feeds High in Energy Corn Oil Linseed Oil Cottonseed Oil Barley Rye Grain Sorghum Dried Beet Pulp Corn Oats Wheat Soybean Oil Animal Fats Grain By-Products (wheat bran)

Vitamins The essential nutrients, vitamins, “catalyze” or start necessary chemical reactions in the body

More Vitamins Fat-soluble vitamins are dissolved and stored in fatty tissues in the body Examples of these vitamins are A, D, E, and K

More Vitamins Water-soluble vitamins are dissolved in water throughout the body Examples of these vitamins are C and B-complex

Minerals The essential nutrients, minerals, are important for growth and maintenance of teeth and bones in the body

Classification for Minerals Macro/Major Minerals are needed in larger amounts (silo) in the body Micro/Trace Minerals are needed in very small amounts (thimble) in the body

Examples of Macro/Major Minerals Calcium Phosphorus Sodium Chlorine

Examples of Micro/Trace Minerals Metals (Iron, Chromium, Copper, and Zinc) Fluorine Selenium Iodine