Nutrition (WATER)

Nutrition

The act or process of nourishing or being nourished

Nutrition

Takes in and utilizes food substances.

Nutrition

the maintenance, growth, development, reproduction, and health of animals.

Feed

Food for farm animals, such as livestock and poultry, is specifically referred to as

Forage

Fresh or preserved plant material that animals graze on, like fresh grass or silage (fermented plants). It’s more nutritious and easier for animals to digest because it’s harvested young.

Roughage

Includes older, coarser plants like hay or straw. It’s higher in fiber but lower in nutrients, helping animals’ digestion by adding bulk to their diet.

Dry Forages and Roughages

These are fibrous plant materials like dried pasture, leaves, stems, and hay. They typically have more than 18% crude fiber, which is essential for digestion, particularly in ruminants.

Green Pastures and Forages

This category includes fresh plant materials like green pastures, range plants, and other fresh forages. These are often high in moisture, providing hydration and a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Silages

Fermented feeds commonly made from corn, alfalfa, or grass.

Silages

Fermentation process preserves the forage and enhances its digestibility and nutrient availability, making it a valuable feed for cattle, especially during non- growing seasons.

Energy Feeds

These feeds are rich in carbohydrates, such as corn, wheat, barley, and rice.

Energy Feeds

Primarily used to provide animals with the energy necessary for daily activities, growth, and production.

Energy Feeds

Energy feeds are often lower in fiber and higher in starches.

Protein Feeds

Protein-rich ingredients, such as soybean meal, fish meal, meat and bone meal, and milk replacers, are used to support growth, muscle development, lactation, and reproduction.

Protein Feeds

They are essential for young, growing animals, and lactating females that have higher protein needs.

Concentrates

Feeds that are rich in energy and/or protein but low in fiber, such as corn, soybean meal, oats, wheat, molasses, etc.

Pasture

Land where grasses and other plants grow for animals to graze.

Fodder Crops

Cultivated plant species grown specifically to be used as livestock feed, typically harvested and prepared for stall-fed animals.

Diet

Balanced mix of feedstuffs formulated to provide essential nutrients.

Feedstuff

Refers to any material that can be used as part of an animal’s diet to provide nutrients.

Feed Ingredient

Specific component within that feed. These are the building blocks of a feed ration.

Nutrient

Substance in the diet that is physiologically useful in cellular, animal and plant metabolism.

Nutrient

Essential nutrients are those that can only be acquired from the diet.

The basic nutrients that animals require for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and good health.

Carbohydrates Protein Fat Minerals Vitamins Water

Essential Nutrients

It is necessary in the diet as the body cannot produce them in sufficient quantities to meet metabolic requirements.

Non- essential Nutrients

It's not required in the diet since the body produces it internally.

least required quantities of nutrients

energy, protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins

Ration

The total daily amount of feed given to an animal.

Balanced Ration

Ration that provides all the nutrients needed by the animal in the right amount and proportion.

Meals

Portions of the ration served at specific times (e.g., morning and evening)

Crude Protein

Represents the total nitrogen in the diet, including true protein and non-protein nitrogen like urea and ammonia.

Palatability

Refers to how much an animal prefers and is willing to eat a specific feed, which can affect its nutrition and health.

Ensiled

Refers to plant materials preserved through anaerobic fermentation and stored in a silo, bag, bunker, or wrapped bale.

Water

Major item in most animal’s diet

New born animal

750-800g water per kg body weight

Mature fat animal

500g water per kg body weight

Functions of Water

Acts as solvent for nutrient transport and waste excretion

Functions of Water

Involved in enzyme-mediated chemical reactions like hydrolysis

Functions of Water

Contributes to the regulation of body temperature

Drinking water

Poor water quality will negatively impact the animal’s intake and reduce performance.

Water present in the food

Water content of foods is variable Range from as little as 60 g/kg in concentrates to over 900 g/kg in some root crops.

Metabolic water

Formed during metabolism by the oxidation of hydrogen containing organic nutrients.

Beef cattle

22-66 L

Dairy cattle

38-110 L

Sheep and goats

4-15 L

Horses

30-45 L

Swine

11-19 L

Chickens

0.2-0.4 L

Turkeys

0.4-0.6 L