Feeds used in animal feeding may consist of a single raw material, or may be prepared by combining different feed raw materials in specific proportions.
Products made in this way are called compound feeds.
What Is Compound Feed?
Compound feed is a feed made by combining more than one feed raw material to meet the nutrients an animal needs in specific proportions.
When preparing a compound feed formulation, the animal’s:
- Species
- Age
- Live weight
- Production period
- Production purpose
- Nutrient needs
are taken into account.
For this reason, the same compound feed may not be used for different animal species or different production periods.
What Raw Materials Does Compound Feed Contain?
The raw materials used in compound feeds vary with the purpose of the formulation.
A formulation may use, for example:
- Grains
- Oilseed meals
- Other protein sources
- Fibre sources
- Oils
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Other feed additives or components
Each raw material contributes differently to the formulation.
For example, one raw material may provide mainly energy, while another may help meet the need for protein or amino acids.
How Is a Compound Feed Formulation Determined?
When preparing a compound feed formulation, the animal’s nutrient needs are determined first.
Then the nutritional values, availability and quality characteristics of the raw materials that could be used are assessed.
The aim of the formulation is not only to reach a certain protein content.
Energy, protein, amino acids, fibre, minerals and other nutrients need to be balanced to suit the animal’s needs.
Can the Same Feed Be Used for Every Animal?
No.
The needs of a broiler and those of a dairy cow are not the same. Likewise, the nutrient needs of a growing animal and a high-yielding adult animal can differ.
Feeds are therefore prepared with different formulations according to the animal species and production period.
For example, different feeds can be used for the starter, grower and finisher periods in broilers.
In dairy cattle, different feeding programmes can be applied according to the lactation period.
Differences in Feed Form
Compound feeds can be prepared in different physical forms.
The main feed forms may include:
- Mash feed
- Pelleted feed
- Crumbled feed
- Granules or similar physical forms
The physical form of the feed can be chosen according to the animal species, age, intake characteristics and production system.
What Is Organic Compound Feed?
Organic compound feed is a compound feed prepared in accordance with the relevant organic production rules for use in organic livestock farming.
Here it is not enough for the feed simply to meet the animal’s nutrient needs.
The raw materials used and the production process must meet the relevant organic production and certification requirements.
When assessing organic compound feed, both its nutrient content and its organic status are therefore taken into account.
The Characteristics of a Good Compound Feed
A good compound feed is not simply a feed with a high protein content.
In assessing a feed, the following should be considered together:
- Suitability for the animal’s needs
- Energy and protein balance
- Amino acid profile
- Digestibility
- Fibre level
- Mineral and vitamin content
- The quality of the raw materials used
- Production quality
Summary
Compound feed is made by combining different feed raw materials in proportions suited to the animal’s nutrient needs.
The formulation varies with the animal species, age, production period and targeted performance.
It is therefore not correct to judge a feed’s quality by looking only at the proportion of a single nutrient. A feed should be assessed together with its total formulation and the needs of the animal it will be used for.