ANIMAL HUSBANDRY III - ANIMAL FEED AND NUTRITION BAG202

Feed evaluation and ration formulation

Learn the composition of a range of feeds such as pasture, fodder, crops, grasses, cereals, seed and others.  This course will give you the skills you need to evaluate feeding and select the right feed for digestibility and nutritional content.  This course is very applicable to real life farming situations

Student Comment:

"I think it is absolutely brilliant. I have never come across such a friendly, helpful staff and am so enjoying my course. I will definitely recommend ACS to anybody who wants to study over the net." - T. Sadler

Australian Correspondence Schools, Home Studies - Farming and Agricultural College

Learn about the Components and Composition of Animal Food, for better managing Animal Feed and Nutrition.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

There are ten lessons as follows:

1. INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL FOODS

  • Terms and Definitions
  • Groups of Foods
  • Other Terms That Are Used
  • Food Processing Terms
  • Water

2. FOOD COMPONENTS - CARBOHYDRATES AND FAT

  • CarbohydratesCarbohydrates as a Source Of Energy
  • Fats and Oils
  • Adipose Tissue Deposits in Animals
  • Fat Deposits in Different Animals
3. FOOD COMPONENTS - PROTEINS, MINERALS, AND TRACE ELEMENTS
  • Composition of Proteins
  • The Build Up Of Proteins
  • Biological Value of Protein
  • Protein Content of Foods
  • The Function of Protein
  • Feeding Urea to Ruminants
  • Major Minerals
  • Trace Elements
  • Vitamins
4. EVALUATING FOODS AND DIGESTIBILITY
  • Analysis of Feed Stuffs
  • Calculating Digestibility
  • Protein Value
  • Energy Value
  • Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods
5. CLASSIFYING FOODS PART A
  • Cereals and Cereal By-Products
  • Brewing By-Products        
  • Grasses, Legumes and Succulents
  • Lucerne
  • Sainfoin
  • Other Succulent Foods
  • Roughage, Hay, Silage and Dried Grass
6. CLASSIFYING FOODS PART B
  • Oil and Legume Seeds
  • Oil Seeds and Their Products
  • Legume Seeds
7. CLASSIFYING FOODS PART C
  • Fodder Trees and Animal Products
  • Fodder Trees and Shrubs
  • Animal Products
8. CALCULATING RATIONS PART A
  • The Object of Rationing
  • Nutritional Requirements of the Animal
  • Calculating a Maintenance Ration
  • Cattle at Pasture
  • Working Out Rations for a Herd
9. CALCULATING RATIONS PART B
  • Nutrient Requirements for a Dairy Cow
  • Working Out the Total Requirements
  • Feeding a Ration to Meet Nutrient Needs
  • The Dairy Ration
10. CALCULATING RATIONS PART C
  • Ready Mix Feeds
  • Using Protein Contents
  • A Summary of Rationing
  • Further Considerations in Rationing

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

 

Duration: 100 hours

 

AIMS

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS

Here are just some of the things you will be doing:

 

Managing Animal Food Supply

Feed manufacturing

The manufacture of animal feed requires careful management, from the handling of the raw materials themselves, to the production process and to the supply of the feed.  It is essential that the nutritional value of the raw materials is maximised, and deterioration is prevented through the preservation of the feed itself once it has been manufactured.  It is not only important, but is more efficient, to keep the entire process of the raw materials, the mixing of additives and the finalisation of the product all in one area.  This helps prevent the deterioration of essential nutrients within the feed.            

Feed processing

Throughout the processing of animal feeds, it is extremely important to ensure proper management is in place as many factors can cause deterioration of the essential nutrients. Vitamin E may decrease during processing, and vitamin C is known to be highly unstable within moist pet foods and is completely lost during the processing procedure.  Biotin, a B vitamin, can be entirely lost during the process of moist pet feed.  The condition of the environment in which the manufacturing and processing takes place is vitally important.  If the temperatures are too high and the air is humid, then this will create the perfect environment for moulds and bacteria to grow and reproduce.  These will then thrive off the feed which will lead to the deterioration of the nutritional value.  The environment should be dry and well ventilated.  Any equipment used in the processing should be cleaned appropriately to ensure there is no contamination and are kept free form build-up of moulds, yeasts or bacteria.  The area in which the processing takes place must be clean and tidy and no leftover food mess lying around to avoid unwanted pests.  The building must be pest proof, and the appropriate measures in place.  The use of additives, such as preservatives and antioxidants are added in the processing of the feed.  These aid in the deterioration process and also enhance the nutritional value of the feed

Feed storage

The way in which animal feed is stored is significant, as important nutrients can be lost due to many factors. It has been found that some vitamins may decrease or be completely lost during the storage stages.  Vitamin E may deteriorate over a period of time during storage, whilst B vitamins found in moist pet feeds, such as thiamine, folic acid and beta-carotene, may be reduced by the canning process.  Many factors can cause the nutritional value of the feed to deteriorate.  The temperature in which the food is stored and transported can be detrimental to the nutrients.  The exposure to sunlight can cause essential vitamins to weaken, and the time in which it is in transport and the length of time it is in storage.  The type of packaging used can also have an effect on the nutritional value.  If it is too thin, light exposure may get in, and if it is not sealed correctly then air may enter and reduce the nutritional contents.  This also may cause bacteria to enter which would then cause the whole batch to be wasted.       

Stored feed should be kept within a secure building to protect it from environmental factors or vermin.  The area or room must be dry and cool with ventilation points and secure from rodents and insects.  Ensure the feed you have purchased, or are storing is not mouldy, damp or infected with insects.  Avoid buying too much bulk feed in advance.  The longer the feed is stored, the more nutrients will be lost.  Always ensure that when you purchase new feed that it is stored in such a way that feed bought previously will be used first, and always check the use by dates.  

 

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