Lesson 1Feed additives and supplements: buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics and mineral premixesWe look closely at main feed extras and additions used for cud-chewing animals, like buffers, yeast, ionophores, worm medicines, and mineral mixes. We show how they work, good points, 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 covers big and small mineral jobs, needs, and how they mix in cud-chewing animals, looking at Ca, P, Mg, Se, Cu, S, Co, and I. We talk about signs of lack and ways to stop it in milk cows, meat cattle, and small animals.
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 fibre parts, like NDF and ADF, and how they change eating amount, rumen fill, movement speed, and milk fat. We stress getting fibre right to help eating, rumen health, and animal work.
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 look at real feeding ways on farm, like grouping animals, feed giving times, bunk care, and water good quality. This part shows main things that drive eating and how daily work affects health and output.
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 real ways to make feed mixes, balancing energy, protein, and fibre with Pearson square and simple low-cost methods, keeping to feed limits and what’s ready on farm.
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 teaches how to read feed make-up tables, check different sources, and get true lab tests, to pick good numbers for feed mixes 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 lambsThis part shows how to guess keeping, milk-giving, and growing needs for Holstein milk cows, meat young bulls, and growing sheep, using weight, output level, and weather factors to work out feed 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 valuesThis part makes clear energy ways used in cud-chewer feeding, like ME, NE, and TDN. You learn how they come from, when to use each, and how to change and match feed energy across ways.
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 gives details on checking grass and crop feed quality, from right sampling to lab work and field checks. We focus on dry matter, protein, NDF, and energy, and how they guide feed mixes and cutting 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 teach protein needs of cud-chewers and difference between rumen-breakable and non-breakable protein. This covers germ protein making, balancing RDP and RUP, and effects 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
