The nutritional value of a compound feed is not determined by a single raw material. The characteristics of the raw materials used, their balance with one another and the animal’s nutrient needs are assessed together.
Why Are Feed Raw Materials Used?
Animals need energy, protein, amino acids, fibre, minerals and other nutrients.
It is usually not possible to meet all of these needs from a single raw material. For this reason, raw materials with different characteristics are combined to create feed formulations suited to the animal species and production period.
Main Feed Raw Materials
Feed raw materials can be grouped according to their nutritional characteristics and intended uses.
Protein Sources
Protein-rich raw materials are used especially to meet animals’ needs for growth, development and production.
Examples include:
- Soybean meal
- Sunflower meal
- Other oilseed meals
Energy Sources
Energy-providing raw materials are important components of compound feeds.
Various raw materials, above all grains, help meet the energy needs of the ration.
Fibre Sources
Fibre-containing raw materials are especially important in feeding ruminants.
The amount and characteristics of the fibre sources to be used are assessed according to the animal species and the overall ration structure.
Minerals and Other Components
Depending on the animal’s needs, minerals, vitamins and other special components may also be used in compound feeds.
Their amount and combination vary with the animal species, age, production period and feed formulation.
How Is a Feed Raw Material Assessed?
A single analysis result is not enough to assess a raw material.
The main characteristics that can be taken into account include:
- Crude protein
- Crude fat
- Crude fibre
- Moisture
- Ash
- Amino acid profile
- Energy value
- Digestibility
- Physical characteristics
- Processing method
Which characteristics take priority depends on the type of raw material and the feed formulation it will be used in.
Why Does Raw Material Quality Matter?
The quality of the raw materials used in a feed formulation can affect the nutritional value and performance of the resulting feed.
Two raw materials sold under the same name may not have the same analysis values and feeding characteristics.
When buying a feed raw material, the product’s source, analysis results, processing characteristics and consistency of quality should therefore be assessed together.
What Is an Organic Feed Raw Material?
An organic feed raw material is a feed raw material produced in accordance with the relevant organic production rules that can be traded as organic.
For a raw material to be used in organic feed production, not only its nutritional values but also its organic status and the required certification documents should be assessed.
Organic and conventional feed raw materials therefore differ not only in their nutritional values, but also in their production and certification system.
Summary
Feed raw materials are the basic components of compound feeds.
Each raw material has different characteristics in terms of energy, protein, fibre or other nutrients. The right raw material should therefore be chosen with the animal’s needs and the total feed formulation in mind.
The value of a feed raw material is understood not from a single analysis value, but from all of the product’s nutritional and quality characteristics.