AGRICULTURAL
Feed sources
on a grain farm
What is the nutritional value and use for livestock production?
In the previous article regarding Livestock + grain = a sensible choice, we referred to
different sources of feed which can typically be produced on a grain farm and used for
livestock production, specifically beef production. What is the feeding value of these
different sources of feed for animal production?
By Dr Kobus Swart
Animal Nutritionist
I
rrespective of the production system
used, the primary nutrients required
by animals for production are energy,
protein and minerals. On a grain farm
the feed produced provides energy
in the form of grains which are high in
starch and roughage which is high in
fiber. Energy remains the most important
and most expensive feed component.
That is why a grain farm has a competitive
advantage in respect of animal produc-
tion.
14
SENWES SCENARIO | SPRING 2018
DIGESTIBILITY MAKES
THE DIFFERENCE
The digestibility of feeds sources differs
from each other and which is important to
consider. The biochemical composition of
the feed determines how effective energy
is released and made available to the
animal for production. The higher the fiber
content (NDF), the slower the feed will be
digested, the lower the daily voluntary feed
and energy intake and the lower the daily
production (growth) will be. Ruminants
can digest crop residue like Maize Stover
or Wheat Straw produced on a grain farm
but, however, this source can only provide
approximately 50% of the metabolizable
energy which is in Maize or Hominy Chop
per kilogram available to the animal.
Although not produced on farm, Hominy
Chop is mentioned as a feed source since
it is usually available as a milling product in
grain producing areas. On the other hand,
these high-starch and high energy feeds
can course metabolic disturbances, like
acidosis, if fed in large quantities without
adequate fiber and in a nutrient balanced
feed.
FEEDS MUST BE NUTRITIONALLY
BALANCED
Adequate protein, nitrogen and minerals
must be provided to balance the feed and