LIVESTOCK FEED MAKING

LIVESTOCK FEED MAKING

Range and Types of Livestock Feeds

Types of Livestock Feeds:

• Roughage Feeds: These are high-fiber feeds and are essential for ruminant digestion. Examples include hay, silage, and grass.

• Concentrates: These are energy-rich feeds, often used to supplement roughage. They include grains like maize, barley, and oats, and oilseeds such as soybeans and sunflower seeds.

• Protein Feeds: These provide essential proteins for growth, milk production, and reproduction. Examples include oilseed cakes (e.g., groundnut cake), leguminous plants, and fishmeal.
• Mineral Feeds: These include salt licks, bone meal, and other mineral supplements to provide essential minerals.
• Vitamins: These are sometimes added to animal feeds to ensure proper health, especially when natural vitamin sources are inadequate.

2. Ingredients for Making Livestock Feeds and Techniques According to Animal Requirements

The ingredients used in livestock feed should be chosen based on the nutritional needs of the specific animal. These include:

• Energy Sources: Such as maize, millet, and wheat bran.
• Protein Sources: Examples are soybean meal, sunflower cake, and cottonseed cake.
• Fiber Sources: Grass, hay, silage, and crop residues.
• Minerals: Salt, calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals.
• Vitamins: Essential for the growth and immune function of livestock.

Techniques for Making Feeds:

• Grinding and Milling: Grain and other ingredients are often ground into smaller particles to make them easier to digest.
• Mixing: The various ingredients are thoroughly mixed to ensure a balanced nutritional composition.
• Pelleting: Some feeds are pelleted to reduce wastage and make them easier for animals to consume.
• Formulation: The right proportions of different ingredients are combined to meet the specific nutritional needs of the animal.

3. Preparing and Processing Different Types of Livestock Feeds

i. Preparing and Processing a Single Material Feed for Livestock

• Example: Preparing a feed with a single ingredient like maize meal.
• Process:
  1. Harvest and Clean: Gather the maize and remove any debris.
  2. Drying: Ensure the maize is dry to prevent spoilage.
  3. Grinding: Use a mill to grind the maize into a fine powder.
  4. Storage: Store the ground maize in a dry, cool place to maintain its nutritional value.

ii. Preparing Air-Dried Livestock Compound Feeds

• Example: Making hay or dried grass as a roughage feed.
• Process:
  1. Harvesting: Cut the grass or leguminous plants at their peak growth.
  2. Drying: Spread the plants out in a shaded area, allowing them to dry naturally by air, turning them periodically to ensure even drying.
  3. Baling: Once dried, compact the feed into bales to preserve it for long-term use.

iii. Making Dry Season Livestock Feeds

• Example: Preparing silage or hay for the dry season.
• Process:
  1. Harvest: Gather green fodder like maize or legumes during the wet season, when they are at their peak.
  2. Preservation: Chop the fodder into smaller pieces and compact them in an airtight silo to ferment.
  3. Fermentation: Allow the fodder to ferment for several weeks, preserving nutrients for use during the dry season.

iv. Blending Prepared Livestock Feeds

• Example: Blending a mixture of maize, soybean, and wheat bran for a complete feed.
• Process:
  1. Measure Ingredients: Weigh each ingredient according to the specific animal’s nutritional needs.
  2. Mix Thoroughly: Use a mixing machine or manually mix to ensure even distribution of all ingredients.
  3. Testing: If necessary, test the blend for its nutritional value (e.g., protein, energy content).
  4. Storage: Store the blended feed in airtight containers to maintain its freshness and avoid spoilage.

4. Making Mineral Supplements

Mineral supplements are essential to ensure animals receive all the necessary minerals, especially when they are not available in the natural feed. These supplements provide key minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are vital for bone development, growth, and reproductive health.

Making Mineral Supplements:

• Ingredients: Common ingredients for mineral supplements include limestone, dicalcium phosphate, salt, and trace mineral salts.
• Process:
  1. Weigh the Ingredients: Each mineral is weighed based on the recommended ratios for the specific animal.
  2. Mixing: Thoroughly mix the ingredients in dry form to ensure the minerals are evenly distributed.
  3. Formulation: Adjust the formulation based on the animal’s specific needs (e.g., dairy cattle, beef cattle, or poultry).
  4. Incorporation: The mineral mix can be blended into compound feeds or offered separately as a free-choice supplement (e.g., a mineral lick or salt block).
  5. Storage: Store the mineral supplements in a cool, dry place to prevent degradation of nutrients.

Conclusion

These notes outline the essential processes and techniques involved in livestock feed making. Understanding the different types of feeds, ingredients, and methods for processing and preparing feeds will help students develop practical skills in providing balanced nutrition for livestock. By applying these techniques, students will be able to make feeds that promote optimal growth, health, and production in livestock.