Large Animal Nutrition Flashcards

Grass

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This type of feed is classified as i) forage.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) range of this feed?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	Typically based on ryegrass, but often mixed swards with cocksfoot, fescues, timothy, and legumes (e.g. clover). It is present in rough/hill grazing (often with heather, rushes, mosses), permanent pasture and rotational leys, the latter often high yielding italian or perennial ryegrass monocultures.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with this feed?	Scours, hypomagnesaemic tetany (especially in winter, or in rapidly growing grass (e.g. spring,/early summer, late summer/autumn), bloat (especially as mixed legume swards), pasture-induced laminitis.		Link to Article

Silage and Haylage

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as i) forages.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) range of silage and haylage?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Silage is a fermented crop with a low dry matter content. It is cut at a relatively early stage of development and stored under anaerobic conditions. Haylage is similar to silage but is often cut at a more mature stage. It typically has a higher pH and DM than silage and can often be of more variable quality. With horses haylage is typically preferred (by owners) to silage.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Clostridia. Listeriosis. Acidosis. Moulds/mycotoxins. Poor fermentation (pH > 4.8) or too acidic (pH < 3.8).		Link to Article

Hay

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This type of feed is classified as i) forage.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) range of this feed?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	Hay is dried grass, either naturally or artificially (dependent on the weather). It is cut at a relatively late stage of maturity and is typically of variable quality in colour and smell, and nutritive value. There are various types of hay such as ryegrass, meadow, and timothy.		Link to Article
What concern is associated with this feed?	Mould/mycotoxins.		Link to Article

Straw

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This type of feed is classified as i) forage.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) range of this feed?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	Straw (usually barley or oat for feed) can be treated with alkali, urea or ammonia. It is commonly used as a roughage source for growing ruminants, and especially animals being reared in cereal beef systems.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with this feed?	Moulds/mycotoxin. Impaction within GI tract (especially horses). High intakes of straw (+ grains) are associated with hypomagnesaemic tetany (due to high K levels in grain and straw)		Link to Article

Whole-Crop Cereal Silages

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These feeds are classified as i) forages.		Link to Article
What are the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) ranges of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Maize whole-crop silage has high energy concentration while having a low protein concentration. It is harvested when grain is in the late dough stage. Barley, oats, wheat, and triticale are also used for whole-crop cereal silage either as monocultures or mixed with legumes (e.g. peas) to improve protein content. They are also high in energy while low in protein. Whole-crop cereal silages are fed as sole forage or mixed with grass silage.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with this feed?	Clostridia. Listeriosis. Acidosis. Poor fermentation (pH > 4.8) or too acidic (pH < 3.8).		Link to Article

Clovers and Lucerne

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These feeds are classified as forages and more specifically legumes.		Link to Article
. What are the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) ranges of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Clovers are either white or red varieties. Clovers and Lucerne (aka Alfalfa) have a higher protein concentration and a higher mineral concentration (e.g. calcium) than grasses. Lucerne can be grazed or conserved as a monoculture. Lucernes also have a higher protein concentration than grasses. Legume silages tend to be more difficult to achieve a good fermentation, inoculants are usually required.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Bloat (frothy). Red clovers and some Lucerne varieties may also contain significant levels of phytoestrogens that cause subfertility.		Link to Article

Kale and Rape

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as i) forages, and more specifically forage brassicas.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Kale and rape are considered good, digestible fodder. They have a higher protein concentration, carbohydrate concentration and calcium concentration than grasses. Rape has a higher protein concentration than kale.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Goitrogenic. Haemolytic anaemia, haemoglobinuria. Feed to pregnant ewes with caution (can observe malformed, dead lambs at parturition).		Link to Article

Turnip and Swede

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as ii) roots, tubers or their & by-products, specifically roots.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Turnip and swede are related brassicas. They have good nutritive value, and typically a low dry matter and crude protein concentration. However, their protein tends to be very degradable.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Excess intakes associated with milk taint in dairy cows. Nitrate and sulphur toxicity.		Link to Article

Mangel, Fodderbeet and Sugarbeet

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forage; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as ii) roots, tubers or their by-products, specifically roots.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	These beets are very generally classified according to their DM content. Mangel < Fodderbeet < Sugarbeet. They are low in crude protein. Sugarbeets are primarily grown for sugar production, not feeding.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Mangels have a high nitrate concentration if fresh (need to store for a few weeks). High intakes of fodderbeet can cause GI tract disturbances, hypocalcaemia and in rare cases death.		Link to Article

Sugarbeet pulp

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This feed is classified as ii) root, tuber or their by-product, specifically a by-product from sugarbeet.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of this feed?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	Sugarbeet pulp is the residue following sugar extraction from sugarbeet root. It has a high dry matter and digestible fibre content, but a relatively low protein and phosphorus concentration. It is available in pellets or shreds, molassed or unmolassed. Can also be ensiled with distillers/brewers grains (draff) to form Grainbeet.		Link to Article
What concerns is associated with this feed?	Choke, especially in horses (can increase it’s volume up to 6x; recommended to soak (ca. 1 litre per 200g) for 24 hours prior to feeding to horses).		Link to Article

Molasses

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This feed is classified as ii) root, tuber or their by-product, specifically a by-product from sugarbeet.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) range of this feed?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	Molasses is the residue following sugar extraction from sugarbeet root (also get molasses from sugarcane). It involves crystallisation and separation of sugar from water extract. Molasses is a thick, black liquid that is very low in protein concentration but very high in soluble sugars. It is often added to sugarbeet pulp, proprietary feeds, mineral licks, and TMR rations.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with this feed?	Can be laxative. Acidosis at high intakes.		Link to Article

Barley, Wheat and Oats

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as iii) cereals or their by-products, specifically cereal grains.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	All cereal grains are typically 86% DM. {		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Barley, wheat and oats are all starch rich cereal grains. They can be fed whole or processed. During processing, these grains can be rolled, bruised, milled, crimped, micronised, or treated with alkali or acid (e.g.prop-corn). In general, cattle need the grains to be processed more than sheep and goats.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Bloat. Acidosis. Soft fat. Liver abscesses. Cereals typically very poor source of calcium and deficient in Vitamins A and D.		Link to Article

Distillery and Brewing By-Products

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as i) forage; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as iii) cereals or their by-products, specifically cereal by-products of the distillery and brewing industries.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	These by-products can be variable and are more suited to ruminants. They are a good source of fibre and have high unsaturated fatty acid content. The low DM by-products can be fed fresh or they can be ensiled. They are high in phosphorus but low in calcium and other minerals.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Can be associated with deficiency in calcium, magnesium and other minerals. Poor fermentation and its associated problems can be encountered when ensiled.		Link to Article

Maize and Maize Gluten Feed

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forage; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as iii) cereals or their by-products.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	These feeds are typically processed and may be flaked, rolled or micronised. They are suitable for ruminants and non-ruminants. Maize and maize gluten feed have high digestible energy, but poor source of calcium.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Maize and maize gluten feed can cause bloat and acidosis. The carcase fat colour can have a yellow pigmentation (due to presence of cryptoxanthin).		Link to Article

Oilseed Meals

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as iv) protein concentrates and sources.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	All oilseed meals are generally 90% DM. {		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Soyabean meal, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, linseed meal and sunflowerseed meal belong to the oilseed meal family. Oilseed meals are by-products and residues following the removal of oil from the seeds. They are a very good protein source with high digestibility and are a better source of calcium and phosphorus than cereals.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Soyabeans are oestrogenic, goitrogenic and can contain high levels of lectins. Cottonseeds are low in essential amino acids, calcium and vitamins A and D, and can contain elevated levels of gossypols. Rapeseeds are goitrogenic and can contain elevated levels of tannins. Immature linseed has mucilage that is converted to hydrogen cyanide. Sunflowerseeds cause soft body fat in pigs due to high PUFA levels.		Link to Article

Leguminous Seeds

Question	Answer		Article
Are these feeds classified as i) forages; ii) roots, tubers or their by-products; iii) cereals or their by-products; or iv) protein concentrates & sources?	These types of feed are classified as iv) protein concentrates and sources.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) of these feeds?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of these feeds?	Leguminous seeds consists of peas, beans (broad, horse, windsor) and lupin (white, blue and yellow varieties) seeds. Leguminous seeds have a high protein content, good energy content and high phosphorus concentration, but tend to be low in calcium. Leguminous seeds can be eaten whole or processed (cracked, kibbled or ground). They are often used in place of other protein concentrations.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with these feeds?	Some bean species may contain high levels of lectins. Lupin seeds may contain high levels of alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine). Can be associated with GI tract disturbances (colic, diarrhoea).		Link to Article

Fishmeal

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This feed is classified as iv) protein concentrates & source.		Link to Article
What is the typical dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy (ME), and crude protein (CP) range of this feed?	{		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	For ruminants, fishmeal can only be used in unweaned calf milk replacers. Pigs, poultry and horses are permitted fishmeal. Fishmeal is included in small amounts and has many essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Contains high levels of calcium and phosphorus. UK produced fishmeal tends to be slightly lower nutritive value than herring or South American derived fishmeal.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with this feed?	Fishmeal is under severe restriction within the UK and EU. For ruminants, fishmeal can only be used in unweaned calf milk replacers. Pigs, poultry and horses are permitted fishmeal. High intakes are associated with taint of meat and eggs.		Link to Article

Urea

Question	Answer		Article
Is this feed classified as a i) forage; ii) root, tuber or their by-product; iii) cereal or their by-product; or iv) protein concentrate & source?	This feed is classified as iv) protein concentrate & source, but this is a misnomer as technically it is not a protein, but an indirect source.		Link to Article
What is the crude protein (CP) content of this feed?	The CP is 2,900 g/kg DM.		Link to Article
What are the characteristics of this feed?	In ruminants, the rumen microflora hydrolyse urea to ammonia. Urea is often supplemented to diets of low protein concentration and can also be contained in molassed vitamin/mineral blocks. Urea may be used to treat straw (urine sometimes used in some developing countries), where it effectively improves digestibility of this low quality roughage.		Link to Article
What concerns are associated with this feed?	Less than one-third of the dietary nitrogen should be provided as urea in order to minimise ammonia toxicity. Signs of ammonia toxicity include bloat, twitching, ataxia, excessive salivation and death.		Link to Article