2. Energy Feeds
• Energy is the fuel that keeps all body functions working.
• Milk production requires a lot of energy. If energy in the
ration is not enough, the animal will lose body condition
and for milking cows, milk yield will drop, pregnant cows
become ill after calving and the calf will usually be small in
size.
• If there is excess energy in the ration, the animals becomes
too fat. Cows that are too fat at calving usually have
difficult births, often have problems with retained placenta,
displaced abomasums and may suffer from milk fever and
ketosis.
• Sources of energy are roughages and concentrate
supplements fed to your animals.
3. ENERGY FEEDS
• Energy feed nutrients include: Simple Carbohydrates such as
Glucose, Fructose, Galactose, Sucrose, Maltose and Lactose, all
types of sugar
• Complex (Carbohydrates) Polysaccharides such as
– Starch, found in roots and tubers as well as in grain,
– Hemicellulose (somewhere between sugar and cellulose),
– Cellulose, the principal constituent of cell walls of plants. Most
abundant in more fibrous feeds, generally low in digestibility.
– Lignin which essentially is not digestible to animals. Found in over
mature hays, straws and hulls. High lignin content in feed may reduce
the digestibility of cellulose and other nutrients.
• Fats and oils. Found in seeds, grains, avocadoes etc.
• Fats contain 2.25 times as much energy per kg compared to
carbohydrates, but are expensive .
4. Function of fats:
• Supply energy to the animal body. One gram of fat after
complete oxidation produces 9.3 Kcal heat. Fats are reserved
source of energy to the animal body.
• Provide essential fatty acids (linoleic, arachidonic and
linolenic)" to the body.
• An essential component of milk.
• Helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the
body.
• Certain fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E, & K )absorbed in the blood
• Essential constituent of the body protoplasm.
5. Function of fats
• Phospholipids are the essential constituent of cell wall
and play an important role in cell nutrition.
• It helps in temperature regulation & insulation for the
vital organ, protecting them from shock.
• It is required for the lubrication of joints.
• Fats are important nutrient of nervous metabolism.
• It delays the sensation' of hunger, as it requires a
longer period of time to pass through the stomach
than carbohydrate and protein.
• Polyunsaturated F.A. particularly arachidonic acid, are
the precursor of highly active prostaglandins.
