Animal Nutrition

Question 1

Dry Sheep Equivalent

Answer 1

Dry Sheep Equivalent
A method of standardising an animal unit and is the amount of feed required by a 2-year-old wether at 50kg maintaining his weight. A yearling steer is the equivalent of 8DSE, a lactating cow can be as much as 25DSE.

Question 2

Stocking Density

Answer 2

Stocking Density
Head/ha refers to the number of stock per hectare on a grazing area or unit at any one time.
1 DSE = 2-year-old wether at 50kg – maintaining his weight

Question 3

Stocking Rates

Stocking rate will depend on

Answer 3

Stocking Rates
Stocking rate will depend on,
- Availability of feed (pasture, variety)
- Nutritional demand (gestating, lactating, growing, maintaining)
- Level of production
- Class of animal (cow, goat, sheep)

Question 4

FOO (Food on Offer)

Answer 4

FOO (Food on Offer)
Amount of fed on offer to an animal at a given time.
It is measured in dry matter per hectare. (kg-DM/Ha)

Question 5

Rations

Answer 5

Rations have to be palatable or attractive to the animal. It has to contain a balance of nutrients.
Palatable is judged by taste, small and vision

Question 6

Feed Conversion Ratio

Answer 6

Kg of feed consumed = 1kg of weight gain

Question 7

Factors when formulating rations

Answer 7

Factors when formulating rations

• Age of animal (Eg young animals grow quicker)
• Climate and weather (Eg cold weather means more food is required)
• Disease or stress
• Level of production
• Cost and nutritional valve