Cattle breeding is an important branch of animal husbandry that produces basic foodstuffs for human consumption, such as milk and meat. Cow’s milk makes up over 90% of the world’s milk production, while beef meat accounts for about 60% of the total meat production. Cattle use mainly plant food, which is often unusable for human consumption, thus contributing to a better utilization of natural resources, especially in the context of a growing population and increased competition for food.
Feeds for cattle are divided into coarse, concentrated and supplements. Rough forages, such as hay and straw, contain a high percentage of fiber and a lower energy value. They represent the basic part of the diet in the winter period and contribute to proper digestion. Concentrates, which include grains of cereals, legumes and industrial mixtures, have a high content of energy and protein, thus enabling greater production of milk and meat. The problem of classification occurs with high-quality bulk feed, such as alfalfa, which often resembles concentrates.
Cattle require quality nutrition
Green feed, produced on natural or sown grasslands, is of great importance for cattle nutrition, as it enables better milk production and weight gain of calves. The most economical way of using green feed is pasture, which, with proper organization, can meet the needs of highly productive cows without adding concentrates. Silage, which is used as a substitute for green fodder, has similar properties and provides a continuous source of nutrients throughout the year. In our country, corn silage is the most common, and other juicy nutrients are often used, such as carrots and potatoes, which have a favorable effect on digestion and assimilation of food.
Cereal feeds, such as corn, wheat and barley, represent the basic source of energy for all categories of cattle. They are mostly processed by re-crushing, which enables better utilization of nutrients. Legume grains, such as cowpeas, are used as a source of protein and are part of concentrated mixtures.
Efficient organization of cattle nutrition, with the correct combination of bulk and concentrated feed, is key to achieving high productivity. At the same time, attention to food quality and economy of production contributes to the sustainability of the cattle industry, which is especially important in the conditions of growing global demand for food.
Source: Farmer
Source: boljazemlja.com
