What do we feed livestock???

Major Nutrients Water Protein Carbohydrates Minerals Vitamins Fats and Oils

Water Largest component of all living things – Animals tissue is about 75% Regulates body temperature – Perspiration Transports nutrients Involved in all biochemical reactions

Proteins Major component of muscles and tissues Made up of amino acids Continuously needed to replace dying body cells Young animals need large amounts for growth

Carbohydrates Composed of sugar and starches Provide energy and heat Make up 75% of most animal rations Main source: – Corn – Cereal grains

Minerals 15 essential minerals: – Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, etc. – Example: calcium is needed in poultry for eggshell development Minerals are supplied by: – Naturally – Mineral supplements Mineral (lick) blocks

Vitamins Needed in small quantities Need for vitamins varies from species to species Sources: – Naturally found in feed – Feed additives made from animal by-products – Made by the body itself

Fats and Oils Only needed in small amounts Improves: – Flavor – Palatability – Texture Increases fattening and milk production Carriers of some vitamins

Classes of Feed Concentrates – Low in fiber – Cereal grains – Animal and Plant by-products Roughages (high fiber) – Dry roughage is hay – Green roughage includes pastures – Silage is roughage fermented from green chop

TDN Total Digestible Nutrients Concentrates are high in TDN Roughages are low in TDN

What are the differences in feeding animals?

Ruminants Ruminant Digestive System

Ruminants Cattle, sheep, goats, deer Four compartments to their stomach Can eat more roughage in their diet – Grass – Hay – Silage – Green Chop

Monogastric Simple Digestive System

Monogastric Swine, horses, rabbits, humans Stomach has one compartment Rations must be high in concentrates – Grains – Corn Animals can not digest large amounts of fiber or roughage

Poultry Chickens Turkeys Ducks Geese

Poultry No true stomach Can not store large amounts of food Birds do not have teeth for chewing Food is swallowed whole – Stored in crop – Ground up in the gizzard

Animal Science Terminology

Cattle Terminology Steer: Male castrated before reaching sexual maturity. Heifer: Female that has not had a calf. Cow: Female that has one or more calves. Bull: Uncastrated male. Calf: Young Name

Swine Terminology Barrow: Male castrated before reaching sexual maturity. Gilt: Female that has not had a pig. Sow: Female that has one or more pig. Boar: Uncastrated male. Piglet: Young name

Horse Terminology Gelding: Male castrated before reaching sexual maturity. Filly: Female under the age of 3. Mare: Female over the age of 4. Colt: Male under the age of 3. Stallion: Male over the age of 4. Foal: Young name

Poultry Terminology Pullet: Young Female Hen: Female laying eggs Cockerels: Young male Cock: Male Name Chicks or bitties: Young Name

Sheep Terminology Ram: Male Name Ewe: All females Lamb: Young Name