Nutrition and Feeds

1. Nutrition and Feeds Feed Preparation

2. Is it profitable to grind, crush, or soak feed? • When animals fail to chew the grain thoroughly some of the nutritive value of the feed is lost because of the reduction of surface area.

3. Fineness of Grain - Why? • It should be ground to medium fine. • For swine, it should be ground more finely (Aver. particle size of 700-800 microns) • Extremely fine grinding takes more power, time, and the process can make grains less palatable. • Wheat and barley which is ground too fine could be wasted (lost as dust) and/or cause digestive problems.

4. Rolling vs. Grinding Grain • For monogastrics, rolling grain results in a more uniform particle size which improves digestibility. • Rolling grain is more energy efficient than using a hammer mill or grinder.

5. Advantage of Pellets • Less waste • Less space needed for storage • Animals may eat more feed in pellet form

6. Chopped or Ground Hay • Advisable only if it encourages animals to eat coarse, stemmy portions that might otherwise be left.

7. 100% Concentrate • Not advisable because of digestive troubles in animals, especially ruminants

8. Cooked Feed • Advantageous when feeding potatoes, field beans, and soybeans. These feedstuffs must be cooked to remove factors which cause poor performance in swine. • Cooking does not increase the digestibility or feeding value of other feeds.

9. Soaking Feeds • Advantageous when grain with small or hard kernels cannot be ground or crushed • If soaked too long, fermentation may take place or mold will grow which produce toxins.

10. Fermenting of Feeds • Experiments show these methods of feed preparation do not cause any saving in feed or result in greater production.