Normal Feed Used in Cattle Farms and Their

Utilization
Cattle require a balanced diet including energy, protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and
water. Their ruminant digestive system allows them to utilize fibrous feeds more
efficiently by fermenting them in the rumen to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and
microbial protein.

Classes of Feed in Cattle Nutrition

Cattle feed is broadly classified into five categories, each with specific roles and nutrient
contributions.

1. Roughages (Forages)

Description: High in fiber, low in digestible energy and protein.

Examples:

 Green forages: Napier, maize, lucerne, cowpea, berseem

 Dry forages: Hay, wheat/paddy straw

 Silage: Fermented maize, sorghum, hybrid napier

Functions:

 Fiber for rumen function

 Energy via fermentation to VFAs

 Protein (especially from leguminous forage)

Requirement:

 60–70% of total ration

 1–1.5% of body weight as dry matter

2. Concentrates
Description: Low fiber, high energy or protein, used to supplement nutrient requirements
for growth, lactation, and reproduction.

Examples:

 Energy sources: Maize, barley, oats, wheat bran, molasses

 Protein sources: Soybean meal, cottonseed cake, groundnut cake, fish meal

 Agro-industrial by-products: DDGS, rice bran

Functions:

 Energy from starch/sugar

 Protein from amino acids or nitrogen

Requirement:

 30–40% of the total diet

 1 kg per 2.5–3 L of milk produced

3. Mineral Supplements

Description: Provide essential minerals required in small quantities.

Examples:

 Mineral mixture containing calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, selenium

 Common salt (NaCl)

Functions:

 Bone growth, milk production, immunity, reproduction

Requirement:

 50–100 g/day mineral mix

 30–40 g/day salt

4. Vitamin Supplements
Description: Usually included in the mineral mixture or premix.
Examples: Vitamins A, D, E, B-complex

Functions:

 Vitamin A: Vision, immunity

 Vitamin D: Calcium absorption

 Vitamin E: Antioxidant, fertility

 B-complex: Metabolism, nervous function

Requirement:

 Important during pregnancy, stress, and lactation

 Given in trace amounts via premix

5. Feed Additives / Non-nutritive Supplements

Description: Improve digestibility, feed efficiency, immunity, and nutrient utilization.

Examples and Roles:

 Probiotics (yeast, Lactobacillus): Improve rumen flora

 Enzymes (amylase, cellulase): Digest starch/fiber

 Buffers (sodium bicarbonate): Maintain rumen pH

 Rumen-protected amino acids: Provide essential AAs directly to the intestine

 Toxin binders (charcoal, bentonite): Control mycotoxins

Additional Essential Feed Knowledge

Total Mixed Ration (TMR)

 Uniform blend of roughage, concentrate, minerals

 Prevents selective feeding

 Enhances feed efficiency and productivity

Seasonal Feeding Adjustments

 Season Adjustment Purpose

Summer Succulent green fodder, electrolyte mix Prevent dehydration, heat

stress

Winter Add molasses, increase energy Maintain body heat

Rainy Avoid moldy feeds, and provide clean Prevent mycotoxicosis

silage

Bypass Nutrients

Used to enhance direct nutrient absorption:

 Bypass Protein: Avoids rumen degradation, reaches the small intestine

 Bypass Fat: Supplies concentrated energy without rumen disruption

 Bypass Starch: Provides glucose precursors for energy

Feed Requirement Based on Animal Stage

Stage DM Intake (% Protein Key Feed Strategy

BW) (CP%)

Calves (0–6 2.5–3.0 16–18% Milk replacer → calf starter + green

mo) fodder

Heifers 2.0–2.5 12–14% Forage + moderate concentrate

Pregnant 2.0–2.5 12–14% Energy-dense concentrate + minerals

Cows

Lactating 2.5–3.0 16–18% High-quality TMR, green fodder, and

Cows bypass protein

Dry Cows 1.8–2.0 10–12% Roughage-rich, mineral-balanced

Sample Ration for a 450 kg Lactating Cow (10 L milk/day)

Component Quantity/Day

Green Fodder 30–35 kg

Dry Fodder (Straw) 3–5 kg

Concentrate Mix 5–6 kg

Mineral Mixture 50–60 g

Salt 30–40 g

Water 50–100 L

Utilization in the Digestive System

Digestive Part Nutrient Use

Mouth Chewing, mixing with saliva (amylase)

Rumen Microbial fermentation → VFAs, microbial protein

Reticulum Particle sorting, fermentation

Omasum Absorbs VFAs, water

Abomasum Protein digestion via HCl, pepsin

Small Intestine Absorbs glucose, amino acids, fats

Large Intestine Absorbs water; forms feces

Typical Feeding Schedule (Example)

Time of Day Feed Provided Purpose

Morning Green fodder + concentrate Energy for morning milking

Midday Dry fodder or silage Sustained digestion

 Evening Concentrate + straw Support night milk yield

Always Water + salt/mineral blocks Hydration, electrolyte balance

Balanced Ration Targets

Parameter Recommended Value

Dry Matter Intake 2.0–2.5% of body weight

Roughage: Concentrate 60:40 (dry cow), 50:50 (lactating)

Crude Protein 12–16% depending on stage

Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) 65–70%

Water Intake 50–100 liters/day