WELCOME TO KNOWING YOUR FEEDSTUFFS!

Why is this mini lesson important?

Major Categories of Feedstuffs (Click on one of the categories to learn more about it) Dry Forages and Roughages Pasture Plants and Green Forages SilagesEnergy Feeds SupplementsAdditives Quiz

Dry Forages and Roughages  These feedstuffs contain at least 18% crude fiber and can reach upwards of 50%.  They are also high in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.  Readily digestible carbohydrates are relatively low in this category of feedstuffs.

Dry Forages and Roughages  Due to their low digestibility, this category of feedstuffs has low energy values.  The mineral, vitamin, and protein contents of these feedstuffs are varied.  Examples include hay, straw, cottonseed hulls, and cornstalks. Back to Menu

Pasture Plants and Green Forages  Many of the plants with in this category of feedstuffs could be harvested dry which would then classify them into the Dry Forages and Roughages category.  The moisture content of these feeds is usually between 50 – 85%.

Pasture Plants and Green Forages  These feedstuffs are also variable in their nutritive quality.  This is due to a multitude of factors such as how the pasture is cared for, what plants there are, and what stage of development the pasture is.  Examples include wheat, Bermuda grass, and prairie grass pastures. Back to Menu

Silages  Silage is a very common storage method for livestock feed.  In order to produce silage plant material has to go through the ensiling process under anaerobic conditions.  Ensiling is the process of producing silage from forage.

Silages  Anaerobic conditions are conditions that lack molecular oxygen.  When plant material goes through this process it is undergoing a fermentation process that produces acids that kill off mold, bacteria, and destructive organisms.

Silages  This silage can keep for years if managed properly.  An advantage is that just about any plant can go through this process.

Silages  The down side to this process though is that some nutritive contents decrease as the process goes on.  Some common examples are corn silage, grass silage, and alfalfa silage. Back to Menu

Energy Feeds  Energy feeds main purpose is to provide a good source of energy for the animal as the name suggests.  These feeds are also high in starch as well as energy.  This group primarily includes cereal grains, fruits, and nuts.

Energy Feeds  Energy feeds contain less than 35% cell wall content, less than 20% protein content, and less than 18% crude fiber.  Typically the crude fiber content though is within 2- 10%.

Energy Feeds  These feeds are also typically low in minerals, especially the trace minerals.  They are also low in vitamin D, but high in vitamin E and B. Back to Menu

Supplements  There are three main types of supplements:  Protein  Mineral  Vitamin

Protein Supplements  These come from two major sources:  Plants (soybean meal, cottonseed meal)  Animals (fish meal)

Protein Supplements: Plant Based  These are primarily derived from oilseeds.  Oilseeds are very high in fat content.  These can be fed to just about any livestock species.

Protein Supplements: Animal Based  These supplements are primarily derived from end products from processing techniques.  These are primarily used for monogastrics such as swine and horses.

Mineral Supplements  There is a wide variety of mineral supplements available that cover most if not all the minerals that an animal needs.  Some examples of these include bone meal, salt, and other pure forms of minerals.

Vitamin Supplements  Animals need a wide variety of vitamins supplemented into their diet.  Some examples of these supplements include yeast, fish oil, and other pure forms of needed vitamins. Back to Menu

Non-nutritive Additives  The purpose of additives is to provide another ingredient to the feed that is not for a nutrition purpose.  Some examples of their uses include medication, flavoring, and hormones. Back to Menu

Question 1 Which of these pictures shows a roughage? AB CD

Oops, Try Again.  Hint: A roughage is dry plant material.

Congratulations!  Well done. Now you can move on to the next question.

Question 2 What is the difference between pasture grasses and silage? Pasture grasses are a great way to store feed and silage is not. Silage needs to monitored carefully and pasture grasses do not. Pasture grasses are plant material and silage is not. Silage goes through a fermentation process. A B C D

Oops, Try Again.  Hint: What is ensiling?

Congratulations!  Well done. Now you can move on to the next question.

Question 3 Which of these are not an energy feed? salt cereal grains fruits nuts A B C D

Oops, Try Again.  Hint: Think about what these materials provide for us when we eat them.

Congratulations!  Well done. Now you can move on to the next question.

Question 4 Which type of supplement is bone meal? protein vitamin mineral energy A B C D

Oops, Try Again.  Hint: Calcium is a _______.

Congratulations!  Well done. Now you can move on to the next question.

Question 5 What is one use of additives? nutrition medication visually appealing I have no clue! A B C D

Oops, Try Again.  Hint: These are _____ additives but yet are still useful.

Congratulations!  Well done!

Great Job! You are now done with this lesson.  Now you should have a basic understanding of the different feedstuffs that can go into a livestock ration.