Lesson 1Feed additives and supplements: buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics and mineral premixesWe look at key feed additives and supplements for ruminant diets, such as buffers, yeast, ionophores, dewormers, and mineral premixes, covering their modes of action, advantages, drawbacks, and regulatory aspects.
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 macro- and micro-minerals in ruminants, with focus on calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, sulphur, cobalt, and iodine. It covers typical deficiency symptoms 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 3Fibre, NDF, ADF and their effects on intake and rumen functionWe delve into fibre components like NDF and ADF, and their impact on chewing, rumen fill, passage rate, and milk fat. The focus is on balancing fibre for optimal intake, rumen health, and livestock 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 driversThis lesson covers practical feeding on the farm, including grouping animals, feed delivery times, bunk management, and water quality. It highlights main factors driving intake and how daily practices influence health and productivity.
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 fibre using Pearson square and least-cost principlesWe demonstrate hands-on ration formulation methods, balancing energy, protein, and fibre with Pearson square and simple least-cost techniques, considering nutrient limits and available 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 section teaches interpreting feed composition tables, evaluating data sources, and getting accurate lab analyses, to choose dependable values for ration planning 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 lambsWe show how to calculate maintenance, lactation, and growth needs for Holstein cows, beef steers, and growing lambs, factoring in body weight, production levels, and environmental 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 lesson clarifies ruminant energy systems like ME, NE, and TDN, how they are calculated, when to use each, and converting values between systems for feed comparisons.
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)We cover forage quality checks from sampling to lab tests and field assessments, focusing on dry matter, crude protein, NDF, and energy, and how they inform 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 ruminantsThis explains ruminant protein needs and rumen degradable vs undegradable protein. It includes microbial protein production, balancing RDP and RUP, and effects of protein imbalances.
Rumen degradable versus undegradable proteinMicrobial protein synthesis in rumenBalancing RDP and RUP in dietsProtein needs by class of animalImpacts of protein excess or deficit
