Feed planning and roughage production
From field to feeding trough — energy, protein and quality in feed
Feed is the single largest expense in most livestock production and feed quality largely determines both the health of the animals and the production result. Feed planning is about composing a ration that meets the animals' needs for energy protein fibre minerals and vitamins — without feeding more expensively than necessary.
§Coarse feed and concentrate feed
Feed is typically divided into roughage and concentrate. Roughage is fibre-rich feed such as grass silage hay and straw and is the foundation of feed for ruminants. Concentrate is energy and protein-rich feed such as grain and rape and soy products used to supplement the roughage so the ration suits the animal's performance.
- 01Energy — measured for ruminants often in feed units and drives milk and meat production.
- 02Protein — necessary for growth, milk production, and maintenance.
- 03Fibres (structure) — important for the ruminant's rumen and healthy digestion.
- 04Minerals and vitamins — added to avoid deficiencies.
§Preservation of rough fodder
Coarse feed must be stored from harvest until it is needed, often through the entire winter. The two most common methods are ensiling and drying for hay. In ensiling, the crop is packed airtight so a lactic acid fermentation preserves the feed and keeps it at a low acidity. Hay is preserved by drying the crop so the water content becomes so low that mould and rotting are avoided.
§Feed quality and analysis
You cannot see the full feed value of roughage. Therefore, feed samples are taken and analyzed for, among other things, energy, protein and fiber content as well as fermentation quality. The analysis is used to set a precise feeding plan and determine how much concentrated feed must be supplemented. Good roughage reduces the need for purchased concentrated feed.
§Feeding in practice
When the ration is laid, it must be fed out evenly and steadily. Sudden changes, spoiled feed, or too little structure can cause digestive problems. Fresh water in ample amounts is part of the feeding plan—water consumption follows output. Continuous assessment of the animals' condition and production shows whether the feeding plan hits right and needs adjusting.