Raising The Standard For Livestock Feeding
AUSTRALIA - The latest ‘Australian Feeding Standards’ for livestock have just been released in a new CSIRO book, Nutrient Requirements of Domesticated Ruminants.
12 September 2007
1 minute read
| The cover of the book which provides information about the latest Australian livestock feeding standards. |
“The book is the livestock equivalent of the dietary guidelines used in human nutrition/dietetics,” says CSIRO Plant Industry’s Dr Mike Freer.
“It provides comprehensive and useful information for graziers, livestock advisors, veterinarians, feed manufacturers and animal nutrition researchers.”
The standards have undergone a complete revision over the past two years, overseen by Dr Freer and Dr Hugh Dove from CSIRO, and Professor John Nolan from the University of New England.
“The book also incorporates the latest technology, directing readers to computer-based decision support tools and spreadsheet programs which help them to apply the nutrient requirement data provided.”“The book incorporates the results of the most recent research on the energy, protein, mineral, vitamin and water requirements of ruminant livestock,” Dr Freer says.
“Livestock responses to changes in feed quantity and quality are also detailed, and this is a particularly important aspect considering Australia’s highly variable climate.”
While Nutrient Requirements of Domesticated Ruminants has a focus on grazing animals, it is equally applicable to animals in feedlots or drought yards.
The book also incorporates the latest technology, directing readers to computer-based decision support tools and spreadsheet programs which help them to apply the nutrient requirement data provided.
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