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, dewormers, and mineral mixes, explaining how they work, their benefits, limits, 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 roles, needs, and interactions of major and trace minerals in ruminants, focusing on calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, sulphur, cobalt, and iodine. We cover signs of shortages and prevention 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 parts like NDF and ADF, and how they affect chewing, rumen fill, passage speed, and milk fat. Focus is on balancing fibre for good intake, rumen health, and animal output.
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 practical feeding on farm, including grouping animals, feed delivery times, bunk management, and water quality. Key drivers of intake and how daily practices affect health and performance 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 principlesWe show practical ways to make rations, balancing energy, protein, and fibre with Pearson square and simple least-cost methods, considering available feeds and farm limits.
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 explains reading feed tables, comparing sources, and getting lab tests, to pick good values for ration making 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 lambsWe show how to calculate maintenance, milk production, and growth needs for Holstein cows, beef steers, and lambs, using weight, output, and farm 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 valuesThis clears up energy systems in ruminant feeding like ME, NE, TDN. Learn how they are worked out, when to use each, and converting values.
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)Details on checking forage quality from sampling to lab tests and field checks. Focus on dry matter, protein, NDF, energy, and using results for rations 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 ruminantsWe cover protein needs for ruminants and rumen degradable vs undegradable protein. Includes microbe 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
