Ruminant Nutrition Part 1

Common Forages

Includes grass, silage, hay, and straw.

Silage Analysis

Evaluates moisture, nutrients, and fermentation quality.

Dry Matter (DM)

Nutritional basis for ruminant feed evaluation.

Crude Protein (CP)

Calculated as nitrogen x 6.25 in feed.

Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF)

Measures total cell wall components in forages.

Metabolizable Energy (ME)

Energy available after losses in digestion.

Fermentation Products

Includes volatile fatty acids like acetate, propionate.

Anaerobic Environment

Condition necessary for fermentation in silage.

Rumen Bacteria

Microorganisms aiding in fiber digestion in ruminants.

Rumen Protozoa

Single-celled organisms contributing to rumen health.

Rumen Fungi

Help break down complex plant materials.

Grazing Systems

Includes set-stocking, rotational, and strip grazing.

Out-wintering

Grazing livestock outdoors during winter months.

Bloat

Gas accumulation in rumen causing distension.

Nitrate Poisoning

Toxic reaction from high nitrate forage consumption.

Intestinal Parasites

Worms affecting grazing livestock health.

Liver Fluke

Parasitic infection affecting liver function.

Clostridial Diseases

Bacterial infections causing severe health issues.

Mineral Deficiency

Lack of essential minerals like magnesium and calcium.

Grass Silage

Fermented grass stored for livestock feed.

Maize Silage

Fermented maize used as high-energy feed.

Whole Crop Wheat

Harvested wheat used for silage or feed.

Cereal By-products

Includes sugarbeet pulp and soya hulls.

Protein Sources

Includes soybean meal and rapeseed meal.

Feed Preservation Methods

Includes drying, ensiling, and alkaline treatment.

Hay Production

Grass dried for preservation and feeding.

Spontaneous Combustion

Fire risk from improperly stored hay.

Mould Spores

Fungal contaminants causing health issues in livestock.

Photosensitisation

Skin reaction in livestock grazing certain plants.

CCN (Cerebrocortical Necrosis)

Neurological disorder from vitamin B1 degradation.