The document discusses the nutritional needs of sheep and goats, emphasizing that no single feedstuff can meet all six essential nutrient requirements. It details the importance of balancing these nutrients based on species, age, production stage, and other factors. Additionally, it includes specific data on various feedstuffs and their nutrient compositions.

1. SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn)
Sheep & Goat Specialist
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
sschoen@umd.edu - www.sheepandgoat.com
Nutrient -“a substance that provides nourishment”

2. 1) Water Livestock do not require specific feedstuffs; they
require nutrients in certain quantities and ratios.
2) Protein
3) Energy
4) Fat
5) Vitamins
6) Minerals

3.  Many (most) feedstuffs
contain more than one of
the essential six nutrients.
 Feedstuffs vary
considerably in their
content of the six essential
nutrients.
 No single feedstuff can
supply all six essential
nutrients that an animal
needs to survive and thrive.

4.  There are “linkages” or
relationships between
essential nutrients.
 You have to “balance” the
ratio of different feed
ingredients to meet the
individual animal’s needs.
 The nutrient needs of an
animal varies depending
upon species, age, stage
and level of production,
and other factors.

5.  The most critical
nutrient.
 Has many important
functions in the body.
 Needs vary by species,
stage and level of
production, and
climate. Quantity + Quality

6. Feedstuff % DM
Lettuce 5 percent
Pumpkins 10 percent
Orchardgrass pasture 24 percent
Corn silage 34 percent
Wet distiller’s grains 25 percent
Molasses, cane 76 percent
Grass hay 88 percent
Whole corn 88 percent
Ground limestone 98 percent
Urea 99 percent Pineapple
Feedstuffs contain water. The amount of moisture in the feed must be considered
when balancing rations. Rations are balanced on a dry matter (DM) basis.

7.  Nutrient needed in the
greatest quantity.
 Building blocks for other
nutrients.
 Dietary excess is stored
as fat.
 Expressed as
1. TDN - total digestible nutrients
2. ME - metabolizable energy
3. NE - net energy
[maintenance, gain, and lactation]

8. Feedstuff % TDN
Urea 0 percent
Oat straw 48 percent
Orchardgrass hay 59 percent
Grass silage 61 percent
Fescue pasture 64 percent
Dry beet pulp 75 percent
Barley 84 percent
Corn 88 percent
Bread by-product 91 percent
Distiller’s grains 92 percent
Fat 195 percent

9.  Cheapest energy source.
 2.25x as much energy as
carbohydrates.
 Used to raise energy level
of feed, improve flavor,
texture, and palatability.
 Source of heat, insulation
and body protection.
 Essential fatty acids.
 Can manipulate to change
nutritional profile of meat.

10. Feedstuff % EE
Urea 0 percent
Dry beet pulp 0.7 percent
Barley 2.1 percent
Alfalfa hay, mid-bloom 2.3 percent
Orchardgrass hay 3.3 percent
Corn 4.3 percent
Fescue pasture 5.5 percent
Corn distiller’s grains 10.5 percent
Whole cottonseed 17.8 percent
Whole soybeans 18.8 percent
Fat 99 percent
Ruminant diets are typically < 4% fat

11.  Most expensive ingredient in
feed ration.
 Need decreases as animal
matures.
 Source of essential amino
acids.
 Excess dietary protein is
converted to energy, fat.
 Expressed as
 CP - crude protein
▪ DIP – degradable intake protein
▪ UIP – undegradable intake protein
 MP - metabolizable protein
[microbial protein + UIP]

12. Feedstuff % CP
Wheat straw 3 percent
Corn grain 9 percent
Bromegrass hay 10 percent
Barley 12 percent
Fescue pasture 15 percent
Alfalfa hay, mid bloom 17 percent
Crystalyx ® protein tub 18 percent
Distiller’s grains 29 percent
Soybean meal 49 percent
Fish meal 66 percent
Urea 288 percent

13. 1) Macro
Needed in gram amounts
Ca, P, Na, Cl, Mg, K, S
2) Micro
Needed in milligram amounts
Co, Cu, F, I, Mn, Mo, Se, Zn
 Multiple functions in body

14. Dry matter basis Ca P Ca: P
Corn 0.02 percent 0.30 percent 0.07
Barley 0.06 percent 0.38 percent 0.16
Soybean meal 0.28 percent 0.71 percent 0.39
Orchardgrass hay 0.32 percent 0.30 percent 1.07
Fescue pasture 0.48 percent 0.37 percent 1.30
Soybean hulls 0.55 percent 0.17 percent 3.24
Alfalfa hay, mid-bloom 1.4 percent 0.24 percent 5.83
Dried kelp 2.72 percent 0.31 percent 8.77
Dicalcium phosphate 22 percent 18.65 percent 1.18
Bone meal 27 percent 12.74 percent 2.12
Ground limestone 34 percent 0.02 percent 1700

15. 1) Water soluble
B&C
2) Fat soluble
A, D, E , & K
 Multiple functions in body.
 Requirements increase
with age.
 No dietary requirement for
vitamin K or B complex.

16. Vitamin Feedstuff
β-caroteen Green, pasture forage; dehydrated hay;
(vitamin A) cured hay, vitamin supplements
D Ultraviolet irradiation, sun-cured hays, vitamin supplements
E High quality legume hay, dehydrated alfalfa,
wheat germ, vitamin supplements
K Green, leafy feedstuffs (K1). K2 synthesized in rumen
B Not required in diets of ruminants

17. 1) Ca - Vitamin D
2) P - Vitamin D
3) Co - Vitamin B12
4) Se - vitamin E
5) Cu - Mo - S

18. 1) Acid detergent fiber
(ADF)
Cellulose + Lignin
ADF Forage quality
2) Neutral detergent fiber
(NDF)
Hemicellulose + Cellulose + Lignin
 NDF  Intake
TDN is calculated from ADF.

19.  Species
 Size (weight)
 Sex
 Age
 Genetics
 Stage and level of
production
 Climate, environment, and
activity.
 Body condition

20. 5.0
4.5
Lbs. per day
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
Maintenance Early Gestation Late gestation Early lactation
Dairy doe Non-dairy doe Ewe Parlor-milked ewe Parlor-milked doe
NRC 2007

21.  Sheep have lower
maintenance
requirements than goats.
 Dairy goats have higher
maintenance
requirements than meat
and fiber goats.
 Females with a higher
genetic potential for milk
production have higher
nutritional requirements.

22. 7.0
6.5 110-lb. ewe
6.0
5.5 154-lb. ewe
5.0
4.5
198-lb. ewe
Lbs. per day
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5 52%
2.0
1.5
66%
1.0
0.5 66%
0.0
10% 10% 8.5%
Dry matter intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
NRC, 2007

23. 4.5 66-lb. doe
4.0 110-lb. doe
3.5 154-lb. doe
3.0
Lbs. per day
2.5
2.0
66%
1.5
1.0 66%
0.5 80%
15% 13% 13%
0.0
Dry matter intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
NRC, 2007, Errata

24.  Bigger animals have lower
maintenance requirements
than smaller animals.
  % body weight
 Bigger animals need to eat
more and consume larger
quantities of nutrients.
  lbs. TDN and  lbs. CP
 However, smaller animals
need to consume a more
nutrient-dense diet.
  %TDN and  %CP

25. 176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
5.0 132-lb. ewe lamb (twins)
4.5 110-lb. ewe lamb (twins)
4.0 110-lb. ewe lamb (single)
Lbs. per day
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0 -- 79% --
1.5
1.0
~10%
0.5 66%
0.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
NRC, 2007

26. 176-lb. mature ewe (twins)
12.0
132-lb. ewe lamb (twins)
110-lb. ewe lamb (twins)
10.0
110-lb. ewe lamb (single)
8.0
Grams per day
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Calcium (Ca) Phosphorus (P)
NRC, 2007

27.  Mature females are usually
bigger and need to eat more.
 More lbs. of dry matter
 More lbs. of energy
 More lbs. of protein
 More grams of Ca and P
 However, young females
need a more nutrient-dense
diet.
 Higher % of energy
 Higher % of Ca and P
 But NOT protein!

28. 5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
Lbs. per day
3.0
66%
2.5
2.0 66%
1.5
53%
1.0
0.5 53%
7% 8% 10% 15%
0.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC 2007

29. 10.0
8.0
Grams per day
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Calcium Phosphorus
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC, 2007

30.  Energy requirements during late
gestation are more than 50 percent
higher than for maintenance.
 Ewes require a more nutrient-dense
diet during late gestation and
lactation.
 Protein requirements don’t
increase significantly until the
female begins to lactate.
 Calcium requirements are highest
during late gestation.
 Phosphorus requirements are
highest during lactation.

31. 4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
Lbs. per day
2.5
2.0
1.5 ?
1.0
0.5
?
0.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC 2007, Errata

32. 10.0
8.0
Grams per day
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Calcium Phosphorus
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC, 2007

33. 8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
Lbs. per day
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
Maintenance Early gestation Late gestation Early lactation
NRC 2007 Errata

34.  Energy requirements during late
gestation are more than 50
percent higher than for
maintenance.
 Calcium and Phosphorus
requirements are highest during
lactation.
 Females with a higher genetic
potential for milk production
have much higher nutritional
requirements during lactation.

35. 6.0
Single lamb
5.0 Twin lambs
Three or more
4.0
Lbs. per day
3.0
66%
2.0
66%
53%
1.0
8.3% 10 10%
0.0 %
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
NRC, 2007

36. 12.0
Single lamb
10.0 Twin lambs
Three or more
Grams per day
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Calcium Phosphorus
NRC, 2007

37.  Ewes carrying twins and
triplets need to eat more.
 Dry matter
 Energy (TDN)
 Protein (CP)
 Calcium and phosphorus
 Ewes carrying twins and
triplets need a more
nutrient-dense diet.
 A ewe carrying triplets needs
43% more energy than a ewe
carrying a single fetus.

38. Single lamb
6.0 Twin lambs
Three or more
5.0 Parlor milked
4.0
Lbs. per day
80%
3.0
66%
2.0
1.0 53%
19%
15%
11%
0.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN) Protein (CP)
NRC, 2007

39. Single kid
8.0 Twin kids
Three or more
7.0 Parlor milked
6.0
Lbs. per day
79%
5.0
66%
4.0
53%
3.0 53%
2.0
1.0
0.0
DM intake As fed Energy (TDN)
NRC, 2007

40.  The more milk a female
produces the more nutrients she
needs to consume.
 Energy
 Protein
 Minerals
 In some cases, animals can
simply be fed more, but in the
case of higher-producing
animals, a more nutrient dense
diet must be fed.
 Nutrient requirements are
significantly higher for dairy
does and ewes.

41.  Their nutritional
requirements are
affected by many
of the same factors.
 Age
 Species
 Size
 Genetic type and potential
 Level of performance
 Environment, activity

42. EARLY MATURING LATE MATURING
4 months old 8 months old 4 months old 8 months old
4.0
3.5 5.5%
3.0
Lbs. per day
79%
2.5 4.2%
2.0 3.4% 79%
79%
1.5
2.9%
1.0
66%
0.5
18% 15%
12% 9%
0.0
DM TDN CP
NRC, 2007

43.  Assuming the same size
and rate-of-gain:
 Young lambs convert feed
more efficiently, but need a
higher percentage of
protein in their diet.
 Older lambs need to eat
more and require a more
digestible diet to achieve
the same rate-of-gain.
 Later maturing lambs need
to eat more, but have lower
protein requirements.

44. 4.0
Weight % TDN % CP
3.5
22 87.5% 16.5%
44 67.1% 11.2%
3.0
66 67.0% 10.7%
Lbs. per day
2.5 88 48.9% 7.6%
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
AS FED DM TDN CP
22 lbs. 44 lbs. 66 lbs. 88 lbs.
NRC, 2007

45.  Assuming the same rate
of gain (0.22 lbs/day):
 Smaller kids (weight) need
to consume a more
nutrient-dense diet, both
energy and protein.
 Bigger kids need to
consume more quantity of
nutrients, but the diet does
not need to be as high Weight
22
% TDN
87.5%
% CP
16.5%
quality (% TDN, CP). 44 67.1% 11.2%
66 67.0% 10.7%
88 48.9% 7.6%

46. 3.0 Type % TDN % CP
Dairy 87.7% 14.4%
Boer 66.3% 15.1%
2.5 Indigenous 67.0% 13.0%
2.0
Lbs. per day
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
AS FED DM TDN CP
Dairy Boer Indigenous

47.  Assuming the same rate of gain
(0.44 lbs/day).
 Dairy goat bucks don’t need to eat
as much as Boer bucks, but their diet
needs to be more energy-dense.
 Boer bucks need to eat the
most, but their diet doesn’t need to
be as energy-dense.
 Boer bucks have the highest
requirements for protein: lbs. and %.
 Indigenous (local) breed goats have
Type % TDN % CP lower requirements for protein than
Dairy 87.7% 14.4% improved breeds.
Boer 66.3% 15.1%
Indigenous 67.0% 13.0%

48. 2.5
2.0
Lbs. per day
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
As Fed DM TDN CP
Doelings and wethers Intact males

49.  Assuming the same rate of
gain (0.44 lbs/day).
 Bucks need to eat more dry
matter and energy.
 Bucks and does require the
same amount of protein.
 But since does eat less, they
require a higher percentage of
protein in their diet.
 Realistically, the differences
will be larger as bucks will gain
Sex % TDN % CP
faster and you don’t want to Doelings, wethers 65.8% 15.9%
feed does to gain as fast. Intact males 66.3% 14.5%

50. 2.0
1.5
Lbs. per day
1.0
0.5
0.0
AS FED DM TDN CP
0 lbs/day 0.22 lbs/day 0.33/lbs/day 0.44 lbs/day 0.55 lbs/day
NRC, 2007

51.  Assuming the same genetic
potential for growth:
 The more you feed a kid or lamb
the more it will gain.
 Better performance requires
both more feed and better
quality feed.
▪ Higher % TDN
▪ Higher % CP
 The bigger question is: is better ADG
0 lbs/day
% TDN
49.7%
% CP
7.8%
performance economical? 0.22 lbs/day 67.1% 13.8%
0.33/lbs/day 87.9% 19.9%
0.44 lbs/day 89.2% 21.7%
0.55 lbs/day 88.6% 23.1%

52. Next webinar – Thursday, 1/26, 7:30 p.m. EST
Topic: Feedstuffs w/Jeff Semler
Thank you for your
attention.
Any questions?
Susan Schoenian
sschoen@umd.edu
www.sheepandgoat.com