Lesson 1Feed additives and supplements: buffers, yeast, ionophores, anthelmintics and mineral premixesWe look at main feed additives and supplements for ruminants in Zimbabwe, like buffers, yeast, ionophores, dewormers, and mineral mixes, covering how they work, benefits, 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 roles, needs, and interactions of macro- and micro-minerals in ruminants, focusing on Ca, P, Mg, Se, Cu, S, Co, I. It covers signs of deficiencies and prevention in dairy, beef, and small stock common in Zimbabwe.
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 types like NDF and ADF, and their impact on chewing, rumen fill, passage, and milk fat. Focus is on balancing fibre for good intake, rumen health, and performance on local farms.
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 driversPractical feeding on farm: grouping animals, feed delivery times, bunk management, water quality. Key drivers of intake and how daily practices affect health and output in Zimbabwean conditions.
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 ration making: balance energy, protein, fibre with Pearson square and simple least-cost methods, considering local feeds and farm limits in Zimbabwe.
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 dataHow to read feed tables, compare sources, get lab tests. Helps pick good data for rations and farm choices using Zimbabwe-available resources.
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 lambsEstimate needs for maintenance, milking, growth in Holstein cows, beef steers, lambs, using weight, output, and local weather factors.
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 valuesEnergy systems in ruminant feeding: ME, NE, TDN. How derived, used, converted for local feed comparisons in Zimbabwe.
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)Forage quality checks: sampling, lab tests, field checks for DM, CP, NDF, energy. Guides rations and harvest on Zimbabwe farms.
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 ruminantsProtein needs in ruminants, rumen degradable vs undegradable. Microbial protein, balancing RDP/RUP, effects of wrong feeding.
Rumen degradable versus undegradable proteinMicrobial protein synthesis in rumenBalancing RDP and RUP in dietsProtein needs by class of animalImpacts of protein excess or deficit
