Lesson 1Feed additives and supplements: buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics and mineral premixesWi a look pon major feed additives an supplements use inna ruminant diets, like buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics, an mineral premixes, highlightin dem mechanisms, benefits, limitations, an regulatory tings.
Mode of action of buffersYeast cultures and rumen microbesIonophores and feed efficiencyAnthelmintics in feeding programsFormulating mineral premix packagesLesson 2Macro- and micro-mineral requirements and common deficiencies (Ca, P, Mg, Se, Cu, S, Co, I)Dis part cover macro- an micro-mineral roles, requirements, an interactions inna ruminants, focusin pon Ca, P, Mg, Se, Cu, S, Co, an I. Common deficiency signs an prevention strategies inna dairy, beef, an small ruminants get discuss.
Functions of Ca, P and MgTrace minerals Se, Cu, Co, IClinical signs of key deficienciesAntagonisms among minerals in dietsDesigning mineral supplementationLesson 3Fiber, NDF, ADF and their effects on intake and rumen functionYa wi detail fiber fractions, includin NDF an ADF, an how dem influence chewin, rumen fill, passage rate, an milk fat. Emphasis pon balancin fiber fi support intake, rumen health, an animal performance.
Definitions of fiber, NDF and ADFPhysically effective NDF and chewingFiber effects on rumen pH and VFAFiber, intake regulation and gut fillManaging low- and high-fiber dietsLesson 4Practical feeding management: grouping strategies, feed delivery, bunk management, water quality and intake driversWi focus pon practical feedin management, includin animal groupin, feed delivery schedules, bunk management, an water quality. Di section highlight key intake drivers an how daily routines affect health an performance.
Grouping by production and stageFeed delivery timing and frequencyBunk scoring and refusals controlWater quality and access checksEnvironmental factors affecting intakeLesson 5Formulating rations: balancing energy, protein and fiber using Pearson square and least-cost principlesYa wi present practical methods fi ration formulation, includin balancin energy, protein, an fiber usin Pearson square an basic least-cost approaches, while respectin nutrient constraints an on-farm ingredient availability.
Setting nutrient specificationsUsing Pearson square for energyBalancing protein and fiber levelsBasics of least-cost formulationChecking rations for practicalityLesson 6Feedstuff composition tables and how to source reliable feed analysis dataDis section explain how fi interpret feed composition tables, compare different data sources, an obtain accurate laboratory analyses, helpin yuh select reliable values fi ration formulation an on-farm decision makin.
Key nutrients listed in feed tablesOfficial and commercial data sourcesSampling and sending feeds to labsInterpreting lab reports and unitsUpdating on-farm feed librariesLesson 7Estimating maintenance, lactation and growth requirements for Holstein dairy cows, beef steers, and growing lambsDis section explain how fi estimate maintenance, lactation, an growth requirements fi Holstein cows, beef steers, an growin lambs, usin body weight, production level, an environmental factors fi calculate nutrient needs.
Maintenance energy and protein needsLactation requirements in HolsteinsGrowth needs of beef steersRequirements of growing lambsAdjusting for climate and activityLesson 8Energy systems and units: ME, NE, TDN and converting feed energy valuesDis section clarify energy systems use inna ruminant nutrition, includin ME, NE, an TDN. Yuh wi learn how dese units derive, when each use, an how fi convert an compare feed energy values cross systems.
Gross, digestible and metabolizable energyNet energy for maintenance and gainTotal digestible nutrients conceptConverting between energy systemsUsing energy values in ration softwareLesson 9Forage quality assessment: sampling, laboratory tests, and in-field evaluation (DM, CP, NDF, energy)Dis section detail forage quality assessment, from proper samplin to laboratory analysis an field evaluation. Emphasis pon DM, CP, NDF, an energy, an how dese metrics guide ration formulation an harvest decisions.
Sampling hay, silage and pastureOn-farm dry matter determinationLab analysis for CP, NDF and energyScoring visual and sensory qualityUsing results to adjust rationsLesson 10Protein requirements and degradable vs undegradable protein in ruminantsWi explain protein requirements of ruminants an di distinction between rumen degradable an undegradable protein. Di section cover microbial protein synthesis, balancin RDP an RUP, an consequences of under- or overfeedin.
Rumen degradable versus undegradable proteinMicrobial protein synthesis in rumenBalancing RDP and RUP in dietsProtein needs by class of animalImpacts of protein excess or deficit
