TRY TO PREPARE ENVIRONMENTS THAT GIVE COMFORT FOR ANIMALS.

1. Animal ScienceAnimal Science
Balancing Animal FeedBalancing Animal Feed
RationsRations

2. ObjectivesObjectives
 Identify the steps in balancing a ration.Identify the steps in balancing a ration.
 Discuss the importance of feed analysis.Discuss the importance of feed analysis.
 Discuss how nutritional information isDiscuss how nutritional information is
used in developing rations.used in developing rations.
 Develop balanced rations using theDevelop balanced rations using the
Pearson square method.Pearson square method.

3. TermsTerms
 ashash
 caloriecalorie
 crude proteincrude protein
 dietdiet
 dry matterdry matter
 feed analysisfeed analysis
 feeding standardsfeeding standards
 feedstufffeedstuff
 Pearson squarePearson square
methodmethod
 rationration

4. What are the steps inWhat are the steps in
balancing a ration?balancing a ration?
 AA rationration is the total amount of feed an animalis the total amount of feed an animal
consumes in a 24-hour period.consumes in a 24-hour period.
 A ration needs to provide the right amount andA ration needs to provide the right amount and
proportion of nutrients needed by the animalproportion of nutrients needed by the animal
during its particular life cycle stage.during its particular life cycle stage.
 AA dietdiet is the type and amountis the type and amount
of feed an animal receivesof feed an animal receives
in its ration.in its ration.

5. What are the steps in balancingWhat are the steps in balancing
a ration?a ration?
 Diets should be based on the needs of theDiets should be based on the needs of the
animal being fed and the nutrient contentanimal being fed and the nutrient content
of the feed available.of the feed available.
 There are four basic steps that should beThere are four basic steps that should be
followed when developing a balancedfollowed when developing a balanced
ration.ration.

6. Nutrient needs of the animal shouldNutrient needs of the animal should
be identifiedbe identified
 This is done by identifying the kind, age, weight,This is done by identifying the kind, age, weight,
and function of the animal for which the ration isand function of the animal for which the ration is
being formulated.being formulated.
– A mature sow in lactation has different nutrientA mature sow in lactation has different nutrient
needs than a newborn piglet.needs than a newborn piglet.
– The nutrient need requirements are calledThe nutrient need requirements are called
feeding standardsfeeding standards and are based on averageand are based on average
requirements; they may not meet the needsrequirements; they may not meet the needs
under specific feeding conditions.under specific feeding conditions.
– Adjustments should be made if unusual conditions areAdjustments should be made if unusual conditions are
present.present.

7.  Available feedstuffs should be identified.Available feedstuffs should be identified.
(A(A feedstufffeedstuff is an ingredient used inis an ingredient used in
making feed for animals.)making feed for animals.)
– The producer must then choose whichThe producer must then choose which
feedstuffs to include in the rations.feedstuffs to include in the rations.
– The decision is based onThe decision is based on
nutrient value of thenutrient value of the
feedstuff and availability.feedstuff and availability.

8.  Nutrient content may be found byNutrient content may be found by
consulting a feed composition table.consulting a feed composition table.
– Values given are average values and may notValues given are average values and may not
represent the actualrepresent the actual
composition values of thecomposition values of the
feeds being used.feeds being used.
– Nutrient analysis can beNutrient analysis can be
done if the producer wantsdone if the producer wants
to know exact nutrientto know exact nutrient
values.values.

11. Availability of the feedstuff isAvailability of the feedstuff is
determined by the location of thedetermined by the location of the
producer developing the rationproducer developing the ration
– For example, a producer in the Midwest isFor example, a producer in the Midwest is
more likely to use soybean meal as a sourcemore likely to use soybean meal as a source
of protein while aof protein while a
producer in the southern United States wouldproducer in the southern United States would
be more likely to use cottonseed meal as abe more likely to use cottonseed meal as a
protein source in livestock feed.protein source in livestock feed.

12. The amount of each feedstuff toThe amount of each feedstuff to
use in the ration should beuse in the ration should be
calculatedcalculated
– There are several methods that may be used.There are several methods that may be used.
– A commercial feed company would most likelyA commercial feed company would most likely
use a computer program to develop theuse a computer program to develop the
ration.ration.
– Producers developing their own rations canProducers developing their own rations can
use a simpler method known as the Pearsonuse a simpler method known as the Pearson
Square to manufacture a balanced ration onSquare to manufacture a balanced ration on
their own farms or ranches.their own farms or ranches.

13. Rations should be checked againstRations should be checked against
nutrient needs of the animals.nutrient needs of the animals.
– The rations developed should meet all of theThe rations developed should meet all of the
requirements for minerals and vitamins.requirements for minerals and vitamins.
– If there is an excess or deficiency, the rationsIf there is an excess or deficiency, the rations
will need to be recalculated to meet thewill need to be recalculated to meet the
requirements.requirements.

14. Why is feed analysisWhy is feed analysis
important?important?
 A good ration should be balanced,A good ration should be balanced,
succulent, palatable, bulky, economical,succulent, palatable, bulky, economical,
and suitable; it should also have variety.and suitable; it should also have variety.
 A balanced ration will increase gain,A balanced ration will increase gain,
decrease expense, and increase profits.decrease expense, and increase profits.
 A variety of feeds will make rationA variety of feeds will make ration
balancing easier and increase palatability.balancing easier and increase palatability.
 A succulent ration that is juicy and freshA succulent ration that is juicy and fresh
will increase production.will increase production.

15.  Bulky rations aid in digestibility because ofBulky rations aid in digestibility because of
the fiber.the fiber.
 Economical rations should provide neededEconomical rations should provide needed
nutrients and maximize profits.nutrients and maximize profits.
 Feed analysis plays anFeed analysis plays an
important role in determiningimportant role in determining
if these factors are presentif these factors are present
in a feed ration.in a feed ration.

16.  Feed analysisFeed analysis is the process ofis the process of
determining the nutrients in a feedstuff ordetermining the nutrients in a feedstuff or
in a prepared mixed feed.in a prepared mixed feed.
 Feed analysis is most often done in aFeed analysis is most often done in a
laboratory.laboratory.

17.  The informationThe information
gained through thisgained through this
process is important inprocess is important in
determining the dietsdetermining the diets
of animals to assure aof animals to assure a
balanced ration.balanced ration.
– Labels on feedLabels on feed
containers report somecontainers report some
of the feed analysisof the feed analysis
information.information.

18.  An analysis provides information in severalAn analysis provides information in several
areas.areas.
 Dry matterDry matter
– the weight of feed materials after moisture has beenthe weight of feed materials after moisture has been
driven out.driven out.
– Feed quality is based on the proportionFeed quality is based on the proportion
of water in the feed.of water in the feed.
 Crude proteinCrude protein
– is the nitrogen content of feedis the nitrogen content of feed
multiplied by 6.25 (a constant factor).multiplied by 6.25 (a constant factor).
– Feedstuffs with higher crude protein are typically moreFeedstuffs with higher crude protein are typically more
nutritious.nutritious.

19.  FatFat
– Fat content is determined by using an etherFat content is determined by using an ether
extract process.extract process.
– The ether dissolves the fat.The ether dissolves the fat.
– The remaining feed material is weighed, and aThe remaining feed material is weighed, and a
percentage of fat is calculated.percentage of fat is calculated.
 AshAsh
– is the residue that remains after the feed hasis the residue that remains after the feed has
been burned at a temperature of 1112°Fbeen burned at a temperature of 1112°F
(600°C).(600°C).

20.  Crude fiberCrude fiber
– Crude fiber is determined by boiling the feed materialCrude fiber is determined by boiling the feed material
in an acid and using laboratory procedures to dry thein an acid and using laboratory procedures to dry the
feed.feed.
– The weight before and after drying is measured andThe weight before and after drying is measured and
used to calculate the percent.used to calculate the percent.
 Nitrogen-free extract (NFE)Nitrogen-free extract (NFE)
– The percentage of NFE is determined by subtractingThe percentage of NFE is determined by subtracting
the percentage of water, crude protein, ether extract,the percentage of water, crude protein, ether extract,
ash, and crude fiber from 100.ash, and crude fiber from 100.
 MineralsMinerals
– Feed materials can be analyzed for mineral content.Feed materials can be analyzed for mineral content.

21. How is nutritional informationHow is nutritional information
used in developing rations?used in developing rations?
 The two nutrients found in the greatestThe two nutrients found in the greatest
amounts in most rations are protein andamounts in most rations are protein and
energy.energy.
 Protein is stated as crude protein and isProtein is stated as crude protein and is
given as percentage or grams on the feedgiven as percentage or grams on the feed
label.label.
– Protein needs are higher for young, lactating,Protein needs are higher for young, lactating,
and pregnant animals.and pregnant animals.
– The needs of animals must be matched withThe needs of animals must be matched with
the diets provided.the diets provided.

22.  Energy comes from carbohydrates, fats,Energy comes from carbohydrates, fats,
and some proteins in feed.and some proteins in feed.
– Most concentrates haveMost concentrates have
higher energy than dohigher energy than do
roughages.roughages.
 Energy is stated as totalEnergy is stated as total
digestible nutrients (TDN) and isdigestible nutrients (TDN) and is
measured in calories.measured in calories.
– AA caloriecalorie is the amount of heat needed tois the amount of heat needed to
raise the temperature of one gram of waterraise the temperature of one gram of water
1°C.1°C.

23. How is nutritional informationHow is nutritional information
used in developing rations?used in developing rations?
 Calories in feed or as requirements areCalories in feed or as requirements are
stated as kilocalorie (kcal) or megacaloriestated as kilocalorie (kcal) or megacalorie
(Mcal).(Mcal).
– A kcal is 1000 calories.A kcal is 1000 calories.
– An Mcal is 1,000,000 calories.An Mcal is 1,000,000 calories.
 Scientists have determined the energyScientists have determined the energy
available in most feedstuffs and theavailable in most feedstuffs and the
energy needed by most animals.energy needed by most animals.

24. How is nutritional informationHow is nutritional information
used in developing rations?used in developing rations?
 Nutritional information about feeds is usedNutritional information about feeds is used
to formulate rations.to formulate rations.
 The amount of each nutrient is figured intoThe amount of each nutrient is figured into
the ration.the ration.
 This is based on the nutrient requirementsThis is based on the nutrient requirements
of the animal.of the animal.
 The information tells the quantity ofThe information tells the quantity of
roughages, concentrates, androughages, concentrates, and
supplements needed.supplements needed.

25. How are rations balanced usingHow are rations balanced using
the Pearson square method?the Pearson square method?
 TheThe Pearson square methodPearson square method is a simple wayis a simple way
to calculate a ration for a specific animal.to calculate a ration for a specific animal.
 It can also be used to calculate ingredients forIt can also be used to calculate ingredients for
batches of feed.batches of feed.
 The method works well for most typesThe method works well for most types
of animal production.of animal production.
 One weakness of this method is the calculatedOne weakness of this method is the calculated
ration may be adequate in terms of protein butration may be adequate in terms of protein but
deficient in minerals and vitamins.deficient in minerals and vitamins.

26.  Using this method requires information on theUsing this method requires information on the
nutrient needs of the animal and the nutrientnutrient needs of the animal and the nutrient
content of the feedstuffs used.content of the feedstuffs used.
 The feedstuffs used must be appropriate andThe feedstuffs used must be appropriate and
practical. Information on nutrient content ofpractical. Information on nutrient content of
feedstuffs is available in feed compositionfeedstuffs is available in feed composition
tables.tables.
 The average nutrient needs of most animals areThe average nutrient needs of most animals are
available in feeding standards tables.available in feeding standards tables.

28. How are rations balanced usingHow are rations balanced using
the Pearson square method?the Pearson square method?