FeedstuffsLarge Animal NutritionSwine, Sheep and Goats

FeedstuffsFeedstuffs- any component of a

diet ( ration) that serves some useful function

Functions:1. Provide source of nutrients and

energy2. Combined to produce rations3. Modify characteristics of diet

International Feed ID SystemSystem for classifying feedstuffs

based on descriptive characteristics

Based on the primary nutrient provided by the feedstuff

Each feedstuff is assigned an International Feed Number ( IFN)

There are 8 international Feedstuff classes1. Dry Roughages2. Pasture Range and Grasses3. Ensiled Roughages4. High Energy Concentrates5. Protein Sources6. Minerals7. Vitamins8. Additives

1. Dry Roughages

Characteristics:1. Bulky feed that has low weight

per unit of volume2. High crude fiber content, low

protein and fat digestibility3. Contains greater than 18% crude

fiber and less than 70% total digestible nutrients

Dry Roughagae ExamplesHay- legume ( alfalfa), grass

legume, non legumeStraw and chaffCorn cobsCottonseed hullsShells and hullsSugarcane byproductsPaper and wood byproducts

2. Pasture and Range grasses1. Grazed plants2. Soilage or greenchop3. Cannery and food crop residues

3. Silages and Haylages- fermented, high moisture feed

made from the entire plant. Stored in silos

Examples:1. corn, sorghum2. Grass, grass-legume, legume

4. High Energy ConcentrateCereal grainsBeet and citrus pulpMolassesAnimal, marine and vegetable

fatsRoots and tuber

5. Protein Supplements

Contains greater than 20% crude protein

1. animal, avian, marine sources2. Milk and by-products3. Legume seeds4. Brewery and distillery by-

products5. Urea, ammonia

6. Mineral supplements and 7. Vitamin supplementsMust be added by sources that

animal is able to absorbVitamin concentration in plants

and animal tissues varies greatlyPlants: vitamin concentration

affected by harvesting, processing and storing

Animals: liver and kidney are good sources of most vitamins

8. Additives

Non- nutritive ingredients added to stimulate growth or performance or improve the efficiency of feed

1. Added in very small quantities2. Antibiotics, antifungals,

antimicrobials3. Buffers, colors, flavors4. Probiotics5. Hormones, enzymes

Estimating Nutritional Value of a FeedGoal: estimate how well nutrients

in feedstuffs matches the animal’s needs

Three methods for Estimating1. Chemical Analysis2. Digestion and Balance Trials3. Feeding Trials

Chemical AnalysisSubdivides the components of

the feedstuff into general groups ( protein, water, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, vitamins) to estimate the relative amount present

Problem: Doesn’t estimate how well the animal utilizes the feed

Digestion and Balance TrialsMeasures the digestibility of a

feedFeed consumption and fecal

excretion are measured over period of time

Problem: Not a true measure because feces contain sloughed cells and tissue

Feeding TrialsUsed extensivelyUsually done before chemical

analysis or digestion and balance trials

Can evaluate growth, egg production, wool production

Swine NutritionPorcineMonogastric ominivoreTerms1. Sow – adult female2. Boar- adult male3. Piglet- young pig4. Gilt- sexually mature female, no

litter yet5. Barrow- castrated male

Swine Nutrition- WaterNeonates 80% water, finishing pigs 55%

waterRequirement is influenced by many factors (

environment, moisture content of feed, urine output, etc.)

General guidelines 1-11/2 quarts of water per 1 lb of feed consumed

Lactating sows require more for milk production

Water quality affects consumption, high total dissolved solids can cause diarrhea, high levels of sulfates should be avoided

Swine Nutrition- EnergyRequired for buildup of lean and fat tissueNursing pigs- most energy from fat and

sugar in milkGrowing pigs- most energy from cereal

grainsSows and finishing pigs- some energy is

gained from volatile fatty acids from fermentation in large intestine

Dietary need is directly related to body weight

Amount of feed consumed ad libitum is controlled by energy content of diet

Energy source feedstuffs for SwineCereal grains ( especially swine)Damaged grainsGrain by- productsPurified sugars ( sucrose, lactose

for piglets)Fat ( tallows, animal and

vegetable fats)Processed food waste

Swine Nutrition – Protein and Amino acidsPig carcasses contain 50% muscle. About

8% of the whole body is edible proteinPigs need 10 essential amino acids to

maintain tissuesAmino acids required are arginine, histidine,

isoleucine, lysine, methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine

Lysine is the first limiting amino acid, high requirements, low content in feedstuffes ex. Corn

Most diets are based on soybean meal due to its higher lysine content

Protein Source Feedstuffs in SwinePlant proteins: soybeansAnimal proteins: by-products of

meat packing industry, fish meal, dried milk products

BacteriaSynthetic amino acids

Swine Nutrition- MineralsHighest Mineral NeedsCa and P- usually fed as limestone and oyster

shellsNaCl- inadequate amounts suppress feed

intakeI- soybean and grain diets deficient,

supplement requiredFe- injected in piglets to prevent anemia-

lasts 3 weeks, milk is iron deficientMg- required in growing pigs, present in

feedstuffsZ- supplemented to prevent parakeratosis

Swine Nutrition- VitaminsVitamin A- supplement 2-3 times need because

corn has low Vit A and it breaks down with processing, dehydrated alfalfa is a good source

Vitamin D- absent in most feedstuffs, expose pigs to sunlight or add sun cured hays or fish oils to diet

Vitamin E – required in all life stages, legume hay, green forage and cereal grains are good sources

Vitamin K- present in feeds, synthesized by hind gut fermentation but pig must have access to feces. Supplement added to prevent hemorrhaging in newborns

Vitamin, Mineral and Additive Source Feedstuffs in SwineMineral- trace mineral saltVitamin- alfalfa meal,

fermentation by products, animal protein

Additives: antibiotics, anthelmintics etc

Nutritional Diseases in SwineAmino Acid Deficiency: anemia,

edema, immunocompromise, impaired growth

Parakeratosis: Occurs between the 6-16th week of life. From low zinc, high calcium diet; bilateral abnormal keratinization of the skin, forming horny scales; starts as brown spots on underside

Swine Feeding Management Pre-breeding: gilt is bred at 7-8 mos. Flushing 1-2

weeks prior to breeding increases ovulation and litter size, high antibiotics added to diet

Gestation: normal nutritional needs for first two trimesters. Majority of growth is in last month. Overweight sows are more likely to crush piglets

Farrowing: include laxatives to prevent constipation when in farrowing crate; wheat bran or dried beet pulp 10-15% of diet; high antibiotics

Lactation: nutrient requirements 3-4 times higher than during gestation, produce 2.5 lbs milk per piglet; if feed restricted can suffer bone fractures and paralysis

Nursing pigs: all nutrients from sow’s milk for first 2 weeks. Must supply iron( injectable) Begin eating dry food at 2 weeks

Sheep NutritionOvineRuminant HerbivoresTerms:Ewe- female of reproductive ageRam- intact male of reproductive ageLamb- young sheep of either sexWether- neutered adult maleMutton- meat derived from adult

sheep

Sheep Nutrition- WaterWater is limiting nutrient in many

areasWater quality is more important

to sheep than any other livestock species ( stagnant, odor, high bacterial or mineral content)

Water intake is influenced by feed, vegetation, protein intake, environmental temperature, amount of rain, dew, or snowfall

Water Requirements for Sheep1 gallon of water per 4 lbs of dry

feed consumedMore water when air temp is

above 70FLess intake if water temp is <40

or > 50FLower requirement where there is

daily rain, heavy dew or soft, wet snow

Lower requirement for those eating silage, succulent or range forage

Sheep Nutrition- EnergyInsufficient energy from low

intake or poor quality feedEnergy deficiency reduces

growth, fertility, wool quality, death

High energy needs:- Immediately before and after

lambing- Flushing ewes and rams for

breeding- Finishing lambs

Energy Source Feedstuffs for SheepGood quality pasture, hay, silageGrains: barley, corn, wheat, oats

and miloPrecautions: when feeding

wheat grain- lambs susceptible to acute indigestion

Sheep Nutrition- ProteinUsually quantity is more

important than quality due to bacterial conversion in rumen

Microbial protein synthesis supplies protein needs except when lactating or very young lambs

Add extra protein feeds when pastures are mature or when feeding creep rations

Protein source feedstuffs for sheepGreen pastures, soybean meal,

cottonseed meal, alfalfa hay, urea ( sometimes0

Urea levels: < 1% of total rationNo urea in young lambs, creep

rations, straw, poor quality hay or lambs on limited feed

Sheep Nutriton- MineralsHighest Mineral NeedsNaCl- usually provided ½-1/3 lb per ewe

per monthCa, P – highest need during lactation,

provide leafy legumes for Ca, grains for PI- usually provided in saltCo- more in legumes than grassesSe- small difference between deficiency

and lethal toxicity, muscular dystrophyZinc- high needs for normal testicular

development

Sheep Nutrition- Vitamins

Vit A- can store excess for 6-12 months

Vit D- fast growing lambs kept inside may show problems

Vit E- low selenium leads to Vit E deficiency

Vit K- synthesized by rumenVit C- synthesized by tissues

Vitamin and Mineral Feedstuffs in SheepVitamins- green feeds, germs of

seeds, sun-cured haysMinerals- leafy legumes, grains,

trace mineral and salt mix

Sheep Nutritional DiseasesEnterotoxemia type D- intestinal

toxins present in blood; caused by stress and sudden diet changes; vaccinate lambs prior to weaning

Urinary calculi- common in rams and wethers in drylot; results from Ca/P ration imbalance and decreased water intake

Sheep Feed Management

Pre-breeding: ewe is flushed for 4-6 weeks, 2 weeks prior to breeding and continuing for 2-3 weeks after bred; flushed on either high quality pastures or ¼ to ½ lb of grain or pellets per day; treat for internal parasites and trim hooves

Gestation- 70% of fetal growth happens in the last 6 weeks of gestation

continuedLate pregnancy feed requirement- 50% more feed if single lamb- 75% more feed if twin lamb- Add grain to high roughage diet, more energyLactation- maximum milk production 2-3 weeks

post parturition; feed three times her maintenance requirements; must have increase protein intake to make milk

Nursing lambs- born with non functioning rumen; colostrum is a must within first 12-18 hours. If no ewe colostrum, can use fresh cow colostrum. Creep feeding used for early weaning and getting lambs to market

Goat NutritionCaprineRuminant HerbivoreTermsDoe- femaleBuck- intact maleKid- baby goat, either sexWether- castrated male- Inquisitive feeding behavior- Raised for meat, milk, fiber and hides

Goat Feeding BehaviorConfinement feeding: will pick through offered

feed and eat what they wantThis results in 2 important effects:1. Composition of consumed diet differs from

formulated diet2. Goats will eat more if they have more to select,

so offer less feed to force them to choose more of the diet

Range feeding: active forager, browses all plant types including trees, shrubs, grasses, creating a browse line. Will sometimes defoliate one type of plant; goats grazing hilly terrain have higher energy requirements than those on level terrain

Goat Nutrition- WaterRequirements- Intake is related to feed intake

and feed intake correlates to productivity

- Free access to good quality water- More sensitive to water quality,

won’t touch fecal/urine contaminated water

- Lactation increases needs

Goat Nutrition- EnergyWide variances among breed,

productivity, production and sizeMostly from carbohydrates and

low levels of fat, high fat inhibits rumen fermentation

Excess fat is stored in the body around internal organs

Consume more dry matter then other livestock species

Energy Source- Feedstuffs for GoatsForages: alfalfa hay, bermuda

grass haygrains: corn, sorghum, oatsmolasses

Goat Nutrition- ProteinMost expensive component of

dietNeeded to support rumen

fermentation and supply amino acids

Unlike fat, excess is not storedVary with developmental stageProtein source feedstuffs for

goats- Soybean meal, fish meal,

cottonseed meal and sunflower meal

Goat Nutrition- MineralCa and P are two major minerals-

needed for bone development and milk production

Mobilize bone stores for high needs

Phosphorus need is met due to goats high selectivity in diet

Only salt should be provided free choice

Lush pasture is deficient in magnesium

Goat Nutrion- VitaminsOnly Vit A is likely to be deficientOccurs in confinement fed goats

in dry cold weatherOccurs in range fed goats when

vegetation contains little or no green plant material

Goat Nutritional DiseasesEnterotoxemia type D- can occur

after high intake of immature succulent forage. Toxin is produced by Clostridium perfringens type D

Urinary calculi- can occur when Ca and P rations are unbalanced