Formulating RationsFormulating Rations

Ration vs Balanced RationRation vs Balanced Ration

Ration: amount of feed provided for the Ration: amount of feed provided for the animalanimal

Balanced Ration: correct amount of feed Balanced Ration: correct amount of feed that provides adequate nutrition to an that provides adequate nutrition to an animal during a 24 hour period.animal during a 24 hour period.

Rations for different purposes:Rations for different purposes:

1. Maintenance1. Maintenance

2. Growth2. Growth

3. Finishing3. Finishing

4. Lactating4. Lactating

5. Breeding and 5. Breeding and

GestationGestation

Maintenance:Maintenance:Maintain the animals weight and sizeMaintain the animals weight and sizeHigh in carbs and fatsHigh in carbs and fatsLow in protein, minerals, and vitaminsLow in protein, minerals, and vitamins

Examples: idle work animals, non-producing Examples: idle work animals, non-producing breeding animals, ones you wish to breeding animals, ones you wish to maintain current weightmaintain current weight

Growth:Growth:

High in protein, minerals, and vitaminsHigh in protein, minerals, and vitamins

Examples: young market animals, young Examples: young market animals, young breeding stockbreeding stock

FinishingFinishing

Large quantities of carbs and fatsLarge quantities of carbs and fatsAmple proteinsAmple proteins

Example: feedlot animals going to slaughter Example: feedlot animals going to slaughter soonsoon

Lactating:Lactating:

Fed rations for body maintenance and Fed rations for body maintenance and production.production.

High in protein, calcium, phosphorus, High in protein, calcium, phosphorus, Fed liberal amounts of feedFed liberal amounts of feed

Examples: nursing offspring, egg-laying Examples: nursing offspring, egg-laying poultrypoultry

8 essentials of a good rations:8 essentials of a good rations:

Balanced Nutrition: equals increased Balanced Nutrition: equals increased weight gain and greater profitweight gain and greater profit

Diversified Feedstuffs: allow for ration Diversified Feedstuffs: allow for ration balancingbalancing

Succulent: fresh and appealingSucculent: fresh and appealingPalatable: taste good equals better Palatable: taste good equals better

consumptionconsumptionBulky: ground oats, wheat bran, beet pulpBulky: ground oats, wheat bran, beet pulp

Slightly Laxative: improve efficiencySlightly Laxative: improve efficiencyEconomical: low cost, high quality is good Economical: low cost, high quality is good

for businessfor businessSuitable for the animal: ruminants need Suitable for the animal: ruminants need

roughages and non-ruminants need roughages and non-ruminants need concentratesconcentrates

Determining Value of FeedDetermining Value of Feed

1. Comparing cost per pound of TDN1. Comparing cost per pound of TDN

(Total Digestible Nutrients)(Total Digestible Nutrients)

2. Comparing the cost per pound of protein2. Comparing the cost per pound of protein

3. Tabular Method – using feed comparison 3. Tabular Method – using feed comparison charts that feed manufacturers preparecharts that feed manufacturers prepare

See handout page 3 and 4See handout page 3 and 4

Feed Value:Feed Value:

Grade of grainGrade of grainSpecies receivingSpecies receivingAge of animal receiving the grainAge of animal receiving the grainFeed preparation methodsFeed preparation methodsMoisture content of grainMoisture content of grainFertility of the soil grain was grown inFertility of the soil grain was grown in

Feed Preparation:Feed Preparation:

Doesn’t increase the feed’s value, but…Doesn’t increase the feed’s value, but…

1.1. Increases consumptionIncreases consumption

2.2. Improves digestionImproves digestion

3.3. Eliminates wasteEliminates waste

4.4. Increase palatabilityIncrease palatability

5.5. Makes feed easier to handleMakes feed easier to handle

Common feed preparation Common feed preparation methods:methods:

Grinding: profitable only if it increases Grinding: profitable only if it increases consumption and digestion or if it has a consumption and digestion or if it has a hard seed coatinghard seed coating

Cubing and Pelleting: increases Cubing and Pelleting: increases consumption, eliminates waste, handles consumption, eliminates waste, handles easier, and no special feeding requirementeasier, and no special feeding requirement

Steam Flaking: increases digestibility of Steam Flaking: increases digestibility of milo and corn. milo and corn.