1. Animal Requirements

2. Requirements Tables should be thought of as a guide Minimum requirement for an “average” animal Many factors affect requirements

3. What Affects Requirements? Species Breed Weight Body condition Age Sex Growth Stage of gestation Milk production Physical activity Environment Others (disease, stress)

4. Requirements Tables don’t include: Breed Genetic potential Body condition Environment, stress, disease, parasites Feed additives, etc.

5. Requirements By understanding these other factors Can make adjustments Month of cold weather Moving to a hilly pasture Excess body condition

6. Requirements Have four major components: Maintenance Reproduction Lactation Growth

7. Maintenance No productive functions Breath, move, digest, keep warm, etc. Weight

8. Maintenance What livestock animal is truly at maintenance? Mature gelding, no activity Mature ewe, after weaning

9. Maintenance

10. Reproduction Stage of gestation – last third Expected birth weight, number Includes development of maternal tissue and fetus Fetus has priority over maternal Body reserves may be depleted Deficiencies affect fertility, puberty

11. Reproduction

12. Lactation Greatest nutrient demands Amount of milk

13. Lactation

14. Growth Actual weight ADG (growth rate) Mature weight

15. Growth

16. Tables DM intake is not a requirement Used as a guideline Requirements both as: Concentration Amount per day ***