1. Feed Nutrients Chapter 6

2. Objectives • Describe the major functions of the basic nutrient groups, and identify feeds that are sources of each • Describe the characteristics of nutrient sources for each basic nutrient group

3. Terminology • Nutrient: chemical element or compound that helps support life • Carbohydrates: chemically composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen • Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) • Fiber: complex carbohydrates • Dry weight

4. Terminology (cont.) • Commercial feed tag: is a label attached to a bag of feed • Fats are solid at body temperature • Oils are liquid at body temperature • Proteins are organic compounds made up of amino acids

5. Terminology (cont.) • Urea: a synthetic nitrogen source • Crude protein is total protein • Digestible protein is the amount of true protein in a feed • Vitamins are trace organic compounds • Trace organic compounds

6. Terminology (cont.) • Conception rate: percentage of animals that become bred • Minerals: inorganic materials needed in various amounts by animals • Deficiency: a lack of a certain mineral in a ration

7. Energy Nutrients- Carbohydrates • Primary energy nutrients found in rations • Consist of • Sugars • Starches • Cellulose • Lignin

8. Energy Nutrients– Carbohydrates (cont.) • Simple Carbohydrates • Sugars and starches, easily digested • Complex Carbohydrates • Fiber (cellulose, lignin) • More difficult to digest • Found in roughages

9. Energy Nutrients– Carbohydrates (cont.) • Carbohydrate and Fiber Content of Feeds • Dry weight of most grains, roughages ranges from 65-80 percent carbohydrates • Different types of animals require different levels of fiber • Commercial feed tags indicate fiber levels on purchased feed

10. Energy Nutrients - Fats and Oils • Fats and oils are also energy nutrients • Fats are solid at body temperature • Oils are liquid at body temperature • Energy value of fats is higher than carbohydrates • Easy to digest • Sources are animals and vegetables

11. Proteins • Are made up of amino acids • Provide material to build body tissue • Are essential for fetal development in pregnant animals • Can also be used as energy, or stored as fat by animals

12. Proteins (cont.) • Sources of Protein • Animal sources more preferable than plant sources due to better amino acid content • Urea can be mixed in feed to spur amino acid production in the rumen (for ruminants) • Crude protein is total protein in feed • Digestible protein is true protein in feed

13. Vitamins • Trace organic compounds, only needed in very small amounts • Vitamins are divided into two groups • Fat-soluble • Water-soluble

14. Vitamins (cont.) • Sources of Vitamins • Green pastures and hay • Cereal grains, green leafy hay • Milk • Fish • Certain animal proteins • Usually included in commercial feeds

15. Minerals • Inorganic compounds required in various amounts by animals • Provide material for growth of bones, teeth, and tissue • Regulate vital chemical processes in body • Lack of minerals leads to a deficiency

16. Minerals (cont.) • Minerals are divided into two groups • Major: required in large amounts • Salt, calcium, phosphorus • Trace: required in small amounts • Potassium, magnesium, iron, iodine • Both types are usually supplied in commercial feeds

17. Water • Very common, but its importance as a nutrient is often forgotten • Makes up the largest part of most living things • Helps to dissolve nutrients, control body temperature • Necessary for most chemical reactions