Lesson 1Feed additives and supplements: buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics and mineral premixesWe look at main feed additives and supplements for ruminant diets, like buffers, yeast, ionophores, dewormers, and mineral mixes, showing how dem work, benefits, limits, and rules to follow.
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)This part cover big and small mineral roles, needs, and how dem interact in ruminants, focusing on Ca, P, Mg, Se, Cu, S, Co, and I. We talk about common lack signs and how to prevent dem in dairy, beef, and small ruminants.
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 functionHere we explain fiber parts like NDF and ADF, and how dem affect chewing, rumen fill, passage speed, and milk fat. We stress balancing fiber to help intake, rumen health, and 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 driversWe focus on real feeding management, like grouping animals, feed delivery times, bunk care, and water quality. This part show key things that drive intake and how daily work affect health and 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 principlesHere we show practical ways to make rations, balancing energy, protein, and fiber with Pearson square and simple low-cost methods, while minding nutrient limits and farm ingredients.
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 dataThis part explain how to read feed composition tables, compare data sources, and get good lab tests, so you can pick reliable numbers for ration making and farm decisions.
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 lambsThis part show how to figure maintenance, lactation, and growth needs for Holstein cows, beef steers, and growing lambs, using body weight, production level, and weather factors for nutrient calculation.
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 valuesThis part clear up energy systems in ruminant nutrition like ME, NE, and TDN. You go learn how dem come about, when to use each, and how to change and compare feed energy across 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)This part detail forage quality check, from right sampling to lab tests and field check. We stress DM, CP, NDF, and energy, and how dem guide ration making and harvest choices.
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 ruminantsWe explain protein needs for ruminants and difference between rumen degradable and undegradable protein. This cover microbe protein making, balancing RDP and RUP, and problems from too little or too much.
Rumen degradable versus undegradable proteinMicrobial protein synthesis in rumenBalancing RDP and RUP in dietsProtein needs by class of animalImpacts of protein excess or deficit
