Lesson 1Feed additives and supplements: buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics and mineral premixesWe look at key feed additives and supplements for ruminants, like buffers, yeast, ionophores, wormers, and mineral mixes, covering how they work, their advantages, drawbacks, and rules for use.
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 discusses the roles, needs, and interactions of major and trace minerals in ruminants, focusing on calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, sulphur, cobalt, and iodine, including signs of shortages and ways to prevent them in dairy, beef, and small stock.
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 functionWe explain fibre components like NDF and ADF, and their impact on chewing, rumen capacity, digesta flow, and milk fat. Focus is on getting fibre balance right for good intake, rumen health, and stock 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 cover on-farm feeding practices, such as grouping animals, feed delivery times, bunk space management, and water quality. Key factors driving intake and how daily routines influence health and output are highlighted.
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 principlesPractical steps for making rations, balancing energy, protein, and fibre with Pearson square and simple cost-saving methods, considering available nutrients and farm feed resources.
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 dataLearn to read feed composition tables, compare sources, and get trustworthy lab tests to pick accurate values for ration planning and farm choices.
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 lambsHow to calculate maintenance, milking, and growth needs for Holstein cows, beef steers, and young lambs, using weight, output levels, and local conditions.
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 valuesOverview of energy systems in ruminant feeding like ME, NE, and TDN, how they're calculated, when to use each, and converting values between 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)Proper ways to sample and test forage quality in labs and on the ground, focusing on dry matter, crude protein, NDF, and energy to guide ration making and harvesting.
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 ruminantsRuminant protein needs and the difference between rumen-degradable and bypass protein. Covers rumen bug protein production, balancing RDP and RUP, and risks of 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
