Associate Diploma in Equine Studies

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Before looking at the different types of food stuffs in more detail, there are several terms and definitions with which you should become familiar.

Feed Stuff

This is a broad and general term that is used when referring to any food or fodder. It includes naturally occurring plant or animal products and by-products (e.g. grass, maize, brewers' grains). It also includes vitamin or mineral supplements which are chemically synthesised, or otherwise manufactured pure nutrients. In other words, you will be quite safe referring to anything that is fed to an animal as a 'feed stuff'.

Ration

A ration is a 24-hour allowance of feed stuff that is given to an animal. The important thing to note is that the term carries no implications that the allowance is adequate in quantity or kind to meet the nutritional needs of the animal for which it is intended. Some confusion normally arises as to the difference between the words RATION and DIET. These can be explained as follows:

RATION:  the daily allowance or amount of food for one person (e.g. a soldier) or one animal (e.g. a steer). Remember, the ration may not be enough for optimum production.

DIET:  this is what the person or animal usually eats or drinks (e.g. the actual food chosen, not the amounts)
 
Maintenance Ration

This is the ration which would allow the animal only enough to stay in the initial condition (ie: to support life with no product, no gain, no loss of body substance). It is the minimum amount of food required to keep the animal alive. This can be particularly important for maintaining stock when there is a shortage of feed (e.g. drought conditions).

Balanced Maintenance Ration

This definition has two parts. 'Maintenance Ration' here refers to a feed mixture which is just sufficient to meet the requirements of a specified animal in a 24-hour period. The animal receiving the ration will neither lose nor gain weight. 'Balanced' means that the proportion of carbohydrate, fat and protein in the ration is correct.

GROUPS OF FOODS

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are made up of sugars and starches (called soluble carbohydrates) and fibre (called  crude carbohydrate). Sugars and starches provide energy and heat. If they are not used immediately they will be stored as fat. Fibre is a woody substance with little feeding value. It does, however, have an important role to play in keeping the digestive system working smoothly. It stimulates the digestive process and helps in the absorption of food. All carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Protein

Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. In addition they also contain nitrogen. Proteins are used to maintain the body, and to grow and repair tissues. Proteins also provides heat and energy. Protein is especially important for young, growing animals and for animals who are producing milk, eggs or meat.

Fats

Fats also contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, but no nitrogen. Fats renew fat tissue and provide heat and energy. The energy value of fats is two and a half times higher than that of carbohydrates.

OTHER TERMS THAT ARE USED

Roughage

On the farm, roughage is normally considered to be material making up fodder such as hay, silage, pastures, etc. The distinguishing characteristic of roughage is usually a high fibre content. For hay, this frequently runs between 25 - 30% of the dry matter.

Concentrates

Technically, all feeds supplying nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) are classed as concentrates if their crude fibre content does not exceed 18%. In the feed trade, the word 'concentrate' has been used to indicate commercially prepared supplements.

 
Basal Feeds

Basal feeds are concentrated sources of energy and are especially rich in starches and sugars. They include the whole group of grains (e.g. wheat, maize, oats, etc.) and their by-products. Basal feeds have a protein content that is greater than 16% and a maximum fibre content of 18%. The main difference between basal feeds and other feed stuffs is that basal feeds have a high digestible energy content. Basal feeds make up 60 - 90% of all rations.

Supplements

Feeds of this type are concentrated sources of protein, minerals and vitamins. A mixed protein supplement is, by convention, a mixture of feeds which carries 30%  or more of protein. Single feeds containing 20% or more of protein are included in this group.

Nutrient

Any food constituent, or group of food constituents of the same general chemical composition, which aids in the support of animal life.

Calorie

This is a measure of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by one degree Centigrade. One kilocalorie = 1000 calories. A specific number of calories is required by animals each day to either maintain or increase their body weight.

Digestibility

This is an approximate measurement of the amount of food which has been absorbed by the animal. Not all food which is taken in by the animal can be absorbed.  Digestibility is usually described as a percentage which can be worked out using the following formula:

Toxicity