Animal Science
Unit 6
FEED NUTRIENTS
(Unit 6)
I. Terms and definitions
A. Nutrient - a chemical element or compound that aids in the support of life
B. Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) simple carbohydrates (easily digested) coming
from cereal grains
C. Dry weight - weight of feed with the moisture content removed.
D. Commercial feed tag - the label attached to a bag of feed purchased at a
grain elevator or feed store
E. Crude Protein (total protein) - amount of ammonical nitrogen in the feed
multiplied by 6.25
F. Digestible protein - amount of true protein in a feed
G. Deficiency - lack of a certain nutrient in an animal's ration
II. Nutrients are divided into five groups
A. Energy Nutrients
1. Carbohydrates
a. Characteristics
1) Main energy nutrients found in animal rations
2) Include sugars, starches, cellulose, and lignin
3) Through a chemical reaction similar to burning, carbohydrates
provide energy for the body cells
4) Functions of carbohydrates:
a) Muscular movements
b) Produce body heat
c) Extra is stored in the form of fat
b. Types of carbohydrates
1) Simple carbohydrates (NFE)
a) Includes sugars and starches
b) Sources: corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, and sorghum (cereal
grains)
2) Complex carbohydrates (fiber)
a) Includes cellulose and lignin
b) Sources: alfalfa, bromegrass, orchard grass, and bluegrass
(hay & pasture plants)
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2. Fats & Oils
a. Characteristics
1) Contain more carbon & hydrogen atoms than carbohydrates
2) Have 2.25 times the energy value of carbohydrates
3) Fats are solid at body temperature; while Oils are liquid at body
temperature
4) Functions:
a) Provide energy and body heat
b) Carry fat-soluble vitamins
5) Sources:
a) Cereal grains - corn, oats, wheat
b) Cereal products - brewer's dried grains, corn gluten meal,
distiller's dried grains, and wheat middlings
B. Proteins
1. Characteristics:
a. Organic compounds made up of amino acids (C, H, 0, & N)
b. If animal takes in extra protein, the nitrogen is separated and
given off in the urine
2. Essential amino acids
a. Must be provided in the ration for nonruminants
b. Include: Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine,
Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine (for
swine)
3. Nonessential amino acids - are needed by the animals, but are
synthesized in the body from other amino acids so don't need to be
provided in the ration
4. Functions:
a) Supply material to build body tissue
b) Ligaments, hair, hooves, horns, skin, internal organs, and muscles
are partially formed from protein
c) Essential for fetal development in pregnant animals
5. Recent research suggests that fermentation and bacterial action in the
rumen may reduce the quality of protein in the feed - encapsulating the
protein feed reduces exposure to fermentation in the rumen
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Animal Science
Unit 6
6. Protein sources
a) Animal Protein Sources
1) Considered good-quality since they usually contain a good
balance of essential amino acids
2) Include: meat meal, fish meal, condensed fish solubles,
dried whey, casein, dried milk albumin, and dried skim milk
b) Plant Protein Sources
1) Considered poor-quality proteins because they often lack
some of the essential amino acids
2) Include: linseed meal, dehulled soybean meal, cottonseed
meal, and dehydrated alfalfa meal
c) Urea - synthetic nitrogen source that is manufactured from air,
water, and carbon
7. About 60% (high roughage) to 75% (high concentrate) of the crude
protein in a ration is considered to be digestible due to use of hair,
hooves, feathers, etc.
C. Vitamins
1. Characteristics - Are trace organic compounds (contain carbon)
2. Two groups of vitamins:
a. Fat-soluble vitamins - can be dissolved in fat
1) Vitamin A - associated with healthy eyes, good conception
rates, and disease resistance
2) Vitamin D - associated with good bone development and
the mineral balance of the blood
3) Vitamin E - necessary for normal reproduction and muscle
development
4) Vitamin K - helps blood clot and prevents excessive
bleeding from injuries
b. Water-soluble vitamins - can be dissolved in water
1) B-complex vitamins - necessary for chemical reactions in
body; improve appetite, growth, and reproduction
2) Vitamin C - helps in teeth and bone formation and the
prevention of infections -
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Animal Science
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3. Sources of vitamins
a. Fat-soluble - green leafy hay, yellow corn, cod liver and other fish
oils, wheat germ oil, green pastures, and direct sunlight (Vitamin
D)
b. Water-soluble - green pastures and hay, cereal grains, milk, fish
solubles, and certain animal proteins
D. Minerals
1. Characteristics - inorganic materials needed in small amounts by the
animals (contain no Carbon)
2. Functions
a. Regulate many vital chemical processes of body
b. Aid in muscular activity
c. Aid in reproduction
d. Aid in digestion of feed
e. Aid in repair of body tissues
f. Aid in formation of new tissue
g. Aid in release of energy for body heat
3. Groups of minerals
a. Major minerals
1) Often lacking in animal rations
2) Include: salt (sodium & chlorine), calcium, and phosphorus
b. Trace minerals
1) Usually found in adequate amounts in the feed
2) Include: potassium, sulfur, magnesium, iron, iodine, copper,
cobalt, zinc, manganese, boron, molybdenum, fluorine, and
se1enium
4. Sources
a. Usually supplied in most commercial feeds (protein supplement
or mineral premix)
b. Salt and mineral blocks may be used
c. Calcium and Phosphorus sources: monocalcium phosphate,
dicalcium phosphate, ground limestone, steamed bonemeal, or
calcium carbonate
d. Trace minerals are included in feed when area is found to
possibly be deficient (selenium)
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Animal Science
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5. Example deficiencies
a. Iron and copper deficiency in baby pigs will cause anemia
b. Calcium and phosphorus deficiency will cause bones and teeth to
not develop properly
E. Water
1. Makes up the largest part of most living things (40-80%)
2. Younger animals have a higher percent of water in their bodies
3. Functions:
a. Help dissolve nutrients
b. Helps control the temperature of the body
c. Acts as carrier of nutrients in the blood
d. Necessary for many chemical reactions
4. Fresh, clean supply of water is necessary for animals to grow and produce
profitably!
5. Animals can live longer without food than they can without water.
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