Cymraeg

Feeds and Feeding
Session 1 - Feed Classification

This resource is suitable to support Level 2 Agriculture courses.

Introduction

Feeding livestock correctly ensures they are healthy and productive and contribute to farm profitability.

Image of cow feeding

Feed Classification

Feeds can be grouped together according to the moisture content.

Image of feed classification

Succulents

Succulents contain a high percentage of water e.g. fresh grass has a dry matter content of 20% with 80% being water.

  • Livestock like to eat them and find them palatable. Succulents include conserved feeds such as silage as well as fresh plant material. These feeds are suitable for ruminants; some may be fed on a ration made up entirely from succulents e.g. suckler cows on a winter ration of silage or weaned lambs on grass.
    • Graphic of succulents

    Succulents

    Succulents can be split into two categories:

    Green leaf crops such as grass, clover, rape and kale.

  • The fibre content and feed value will depend on they type of plant and the stage of growth. Younger plants tend to contain less fibre and have a higher feed value.
    • graphic of green leaf crops and root crops

    Succulents

    Succulents can be split into two categories:

    Root crops such as turnips and swedes.

  • These tend to be high in carbohydrate but low in protein. Some root crops have very low dry matter content e.g. swedes have a typical dry matter of 11%.
    • graphic of green leaf crops and root crops

    Dry Feeds

    Dry feeds have dry matter content of 86% to 90%

  • It is important that these feeds are stored in a dry area.
  • This prevents the growth of fungi and moulds that would cause the feeds to deteriorate (wet hay tends to go mouldy).
    • graphic of dry feeds with text 'Dry Feeds > 86% - 90%

    Dry Feeds

    They are split into two main groups:

    1. Roughages e.g. hay and straw

  • These feeds are bulky and contain relatively high levels of fibre.

    • 2. Concentrates e.g. such as dairy nuts, sheep nuts, barley, wheat and soya.

    graphic of roughages and concentrates

    Dry Feeds: Straights and Compounds

    These feeds usually contain high densities of energy and protein and are not as bulky as roughages.

  • Concentrates which are bought and then mixed into a ration on the farm (e.g. wheat or maize gluten) are often referred to as ‘straights’; those which have been mixed by the manufacturer (e.g. coarse mix or pellets) are referred to as compounds.
    • graphic of straights and compounds

    What Influences Feed Choice

    The feeds selected for a ration on a particular farm will depend on factors that include:

  • Which feeds available on the farm e.g. grass, straw, hay, silage.
  • The relative price of feeds
  • The feeding system, scale of the enterprise and machinery available.
  • The level of productivity of the animal.
  • Restrictions relating to farm assurance or organic standards.
    • Graphic showing a question mark in the middle surrounded by graphics of cows, feeds, a calculator and a tractor
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