What Is Feed Analysis and Which Values Are Examined?

Analysis results are important for assessing the nutritional value of a raw material or feed, getting the formulation right and checking that the product meets the defined characteristics.

A single analysis value does not reveal all of a feed’s characteristics. When assessing a feed, different analysis results need to be considered together.

Crude protein is one of the basic analysis values used to assess a feed raw material or feed in terms of protein.

Protein is an important nutrient for animals’ growth, tissue renewal and production. However, the full feeding value of a raw material or feed should not be judged by its crude protein content alone.

The quality of the protein source, its amino acid structure and its balance with other nutrients should also be assessed.

Crude fat is the analysis value used to determine the fat fraction a product contains.

Fat in feed is an important source of energy. It can also affect the product’s physical characteristics and the energy density of the formulation.

Especially in feed raw materials obtained from oilseeds, the crude fat content is one of the important indicators in assessing the product’s characteristics.

Crude fibre is one of the basic parameters used to assess feed raw materials, especially those of plant origin.

Fibre content matters for the raw material’s structure, digestive characteristics and the amount used in the ration. The suitable fibre level is not the same for different animal species and production periods.

The fibre content of a feed raw material should therefore be assessed together with its intended use.

Crude ash is the analysis value expressing the amount of mineral matter remaining after the sample is burned.

The crude ash value gives a general idea of a product’s mineral content. But it should be remembered that the amount of ash alone does not give detailed information about the mineral composition.

Where needed, specific minerals can be analysed separately.

It is not correct to assess the quality of a feed raw material on the basis of a single parameter.

For example, when assessing a raw material with a high protein content, looking only at the protein percentage may not be enough. Moisture, fat, fibre and ash values also help in understanding the product’s overall characteristics.

Similarly, two different raw materials with the same protein content may differ in their physical characteristics, energy values or intended uses.

Feed analyses are therefore used to assess not just one characteristic of a product, but as much of its overall structure as possible.

The need for analysis may vary with the nature of the product and its intended use. Analysis results can be used especially when feed raw materials are purchased, accepted, stored or used in feed formulation.

For compound feeds, analyses help assess whether the product meets the characteristics targeted in the formulation.

The date on which the analysis results were obtained, the sample they came from and the method used are also important for interpreting the results correctly.

An analysis result measures a specific characteristic of a product. A quality assessment is broader than that.

When assessing a feed raw material, factors such as the product’s physical appearance, uniformity, smell and structure, storage conditions, source and intended use can be taken into account alongside analysis results.

Analysis is therefore an important part of quality control, but on its own it does not replace the entire quality assessment.

Determining the basic nutritional values is also important for organic feeds and feed raw materials. In addition, the product’s compliance with organic production and sourcing conditions is assessed separately.

When assessing an organic feed raw material, therefore, we look not only at analysis results such as protein, fat, fibre or moisture, but also at the product’s source, production method and compliance with the relevant organic regulations.

Feed analysis is one of the basic tools used to assess the nutrient content and certain physical or chemical characteristics of feeds and feed raw materials.

Values such as moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and crude ash are basic parameters often used in feed analyses. But no single value explains all the characteristics of a feed or raw material.

A correct assessment is made by considering the analysis results together with the product’s source, physical characteristics, intended use and other quality criteria.