Concentrates

Nutritional Components for Animals

Concentrates

• Definition: High-energy feed components that are low in fiber and highly digestible.

• Types of Concentrates:

  • Carbonaceous Concentrates:

    • Low in protein.

    • Includes: grains, corn, wheat, molasses, and oats.

  • Nitrogenous Concentrates:

    • High in protein.

    • Includes: tankage, dairy products, soybean meal, and cottonseed meal.

Roughages

• Definition: Feed components that are low in energy, high in fiber, and less digestible.

• Types of Roughages:

  • Carbonaceous Roughages:

    • Low in protein.

    • Includes: mature grass hay, stover, and mature grain silage.

  • Nitrogenous Roughages:

    • High in protein.

    • Includes: legume hay, silage, and growing pasture.

Water as a Nutrient

• Significance:

  • Cheapest and most abundant nutrient.

  • Critical for survival; an animal can die quicker without water than any other nutrient.

  • Death occurs after a body loses 10-14% of its water.

Sources of Water

• Drinking: Direct consumption from water sources.

• Ingested Water: Water contained in feed materials.

• Metabolic Water: Water produced through metabolic processes and breakdown of nutrients.

Functions of Water

1. Transport of Nutrients and Excretions:

   • Facilitates movement of essential nutrients and waste products in the body.

2. Chemical Reactions:

   • Acts as a solvent, enabling various biochemical reactions.

3. Body Temperature Regulation:

   • Maintains homeostasis by regulating body temperature.

4. Maintenance of Body Cell Shape:

   • Provides structure and support to cells through turgor pressure.

5. Lubrication and Cushioning:

   • Reduces friction between joints and cushions vital organs.

Water Quality

• Importance:

  • Water quality is as crucial as water availability for the health of the animal.