Animals require energy feeds for their various life stages. Digestible energy (DE) is the gross amount of energy in the feed an animal consumes minus the amount lost in the feces. Energy feeds are sugars, starches, cellulose, and hemicellulose stored in plant tissues. These components undergo chemical changes in the digestive process and are converted to other more readily available forms of energy to be used in bodily functions, maintenance, and growth. Lipids are another form of energy that provide 2.5 times more energy than carbohydrates.
Contrary to ruminants, monogastrics require 10 essential amino acids, whereas ruminants utilize microbes to construct essential amino acids from fibrous feedstuffs. Higher demanding stages such as growth and development of young stock, pregnancy, and lactation require more protein than mature animals on general maintenance diets. Proteins are needed for growth and repair as well as for a source of energy.
Fats are similar to carbohydrates in structure and are also used as a source of energy. However, fat is also needed for insulation as well as for fat-soluble vitamins.
Minerals are one of the biggest parts of animal health. Essential minerals must be supplied in the diet. Mineral deficiencies can lead to production losses in both meat and dairy industries. Animals usually require a 2:1 ratio of Ca:P to meet dietary needs. Deficiencies in these areas can lead to rickets, lactation problems, and poor development in offspring as well as bone weakness in mature animals. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to osteomalacia in older animals and phosphorus deficiencies can lead to reproductive issues. Pastured animals generally need higher supplemental phosphorus in their diet due to the loss of phosphorus through salivary digestion of plant matter. In contrast, animals fed a higher concentrate diet generally require less phosphorus in their diet.
Trace minerals are sometimes more difficult to manage, as imbalances in one may cause absorption issues with others. For example, too high levels of molybdenum decrease copper absorption. Thus, ratios are recommended at 4:1 Cu:Mb. Sheep have much different mineral requirements and are highly sensitive to copper and thus should not be fed minerals intended for cattle, goats, or horses. Iron is essential for hemoglobin production. Deficiencies in iron can lead to anemia and growth reduction. Zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, iodine, molybdenum, selenium, and fluorine are also important trace minerals.
Water is the #1 most forgotten nutrient in feed management programs, particularly in the winter and summer months. Cold weather prompts an animal’s digestive system and metabolic processes to function at peak efficiency to convert feedstuffs to energy in order to remain warm, healthy, and productive. Summer weather prompts greater intake of water to cool the animal and work as a solvent or buffer for chemical reactions in the body. It is recommended that for every 2 pounds of dry feed intake, an animal should receive one gallon of water. During the winter and summer months, it is critical to allow for freezing or evaporation. Water should be checked and refilled frequently or controlled with a thermometer and water pump system. The first major sign of inadequate hydration is when animals go off feed.
A combination of these elements makes up a basic, balanced diet. Ratios vary based on species, growth, and environmental needs. For ruminant care through the colder winter months, the majority of the diet should be forage or hay as this will stimulate greater heat production. It is generally recommended that horses consume 2% of body weight in hay. Supplementation with a well-balanced feed such as our Cattle and Horse feeds will aid in production and maintenance. For dairy cattle, we recommend feeding 3 to 4# of our dairy cattle feed per day as needed for a lactation diet. Our 12% horse feed should be fed at a rate of 2# twice daily. If feeding our 16% Connemara Crunch, we recommend feeding at a rate of 1# twice daily. Swine are generally fed a higher concentrate diet like a 16% swine feed in addition to increasing starch. This can usually be accomplished by feeding extra corn or barley. Some hog breeders also offer free choice alfalfa. Poultry are typically fed a higher concentrate, higher calorie diet. This is usually accomplished with the addition of scratch feed, which is low protein but high energy and will aid in heat production. Special care should be taken for any animals in gestation, lactation, or critical growth phase, as their caloric needs will be much higher than an animal on a general maintenance diet. As winter temperatures decrease, it is important to transition diets slowly to avoid sickness from sudden changes. If animals are already in good condition prior to the weather changes, it is much easier to transition and they will fare better. Blanketing older or underweight animals is also common practice. Finally, I cannot stress enough that water be supplied and checked to keep from freezing.