1. Classify animal feeds.
Objective 7.01

2. Nutrients General Information
Nutrient- chemical element or compound that aids in the support of life.
Ration- the amount and kind of feed given to animal on a daily basis.
Roughages- feeds that contain higher fiber such as hay, pasture grasses and silage.
Concentrates- feeds that contain less fiber such as grains, plant and animal proteins and processed by-products.

3. Nutrients General Information
Some livestock producers feed commercially prepared feeds sold in bags while larger scale producers will mix their own ration.
A ration should fit the amounts and kinds of nutrients an animal needs based on the status or function of the animal.
Common Functions of a Ration
Maintenance- basic nutrient requirements to keep vital body processes functioning. All animals need maintenance requirements met, before other functions will work.
Growth- increasing the size of bones, muscles, organs and connective tissue.
Production- milk, eggs, wool, etc.
Reproduction- gestations, parturition and lactation.
Fattening- storage of nutrients not used for other functions.
Work- most livestock animals do not work, but police dogs, ranch horses, etc. would fall into this classification.

4. Groups of Nutrients
Carbohydrates- main energy nutrients made up of sugars, starches, cellulose and gums, found in the largest quantities in livestock feed, chemically composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Fats and Oils times the energy value of carbohydrates, at body temperature, fats are solid and oils are liquid. They carry the fat-soluble vitamins. Extra carbohydrates are stored as fat. Fat is composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Proteins- organic compounds made up of amino acids and contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sometimes sulfur, phosphorus and iron.
Vitamins- trace organic compounds, all contain carbon.
Minerals- inorganic materials or compounds needed in small amounts. Contain no carbon.
Water- makes up 40%-80% of an animal’s body.

5. Functions & Sources of Nutrients
Carbohydrates- provide energy. Common carbohydrate sources include cereal grains such as corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley and sorghum. Corn is most commonly grown grain in the United States.
Fats and Oils- furnish 2-25 times the energy value of carbohydrates and carry fat- soluble vitamins. Often provided by the grains and protein concentrates fed to the animal. Animals that are lactating or in a fattening status would need additional fat added to their diet.

6. Functions & Sources of Nutrients
Proteins- supply material to build body tissues such as muscles, skin and hair.
Sources of Proteins
Plant Sources- included soybean meal, cottonseed meal and alfalfa meal.
Animal Sources- include meat meal, fish meal, dried milk and synthetic nitrogen source of urea.
Vitamins- help regulate many body functions and are designated by letters such as A, B-complex, D, E, K. Most vitamins are provided through feed ingredients. Pre-mixes can be added to feed to balance vitamin amounts based on specific needs of the animal.

7. Functions & Sources of Nutrients
Minerals- provide material for growth of bones, teeth and body tissue and regulate many of the vital chemical body processes. Provided through most feed ingredients, but pre-mixes can be added to feed to balance mineral amounts based on specific needs of the animal.
Water- helps dissolve other nutrients and carry them to different parts of the body and is a vital factor in nutrition. Water is considered by many as the most important nutrient. Usually supplied separate from other nutrients from water wells.
Feed Supplements- livestock producers may also add products such as molasses to improve palatability (taste) and reduce feed dust.