What is compound feed: composition and recipe, how much cattle need per day at home

High productivity is in the genes of dairy and beef cows. But the experience of farmers has shown that the potential of animals is realized with a balanced diet. Thanks to scientific research, it was possible to translate the optimal ratio of nutrients into compound feeds. What is included in the feed, what is a premix and how much mixture should be given to cows, it is useful for novice farmers to know.

What is compound feed and what does it consist of?

Maximum body weight and milk yields are achieved only when vitamins and microelements in the diet meet the physiological needs of the cow's body.Compound feed is a crushed and compressed mixture of plants and cereals, with vitamin supplements, balanced and ready to use. The compound feed contains:

• barley;
• wheat;
• millet;
• oats;
• legumes;
• hay;
• straw;
• cake;
• bran.

From vegetable components, animals get carbohydrates, fiber, protein. Amino acids, vitamins, animal fats, biostimulants are added to the feed for better absorption of nutrients and replenishment of energy.

The potential for growth and productivity of animals is unlocked in a short period of time thanks to the effective interaction of the chemicals contained in the components.

Rich in protein and starch, corn is combined with legumes and hay to increase fat and muscle in beef cattle.But the amount of corn should not exceed fifty percent of the total mass of feed. Cows suffer from obesity from an excess of cereal, which has a bad effect on reproductive function.

Approximate content of other components:

Calcium monophosphate1.7 S alt Limestone meal

Component name	Percentage
Barley	30
Sunflower meal	25
Wheat	20
Oats	10
Soybean meal	5.4
Wheat bran	5.3
0.9
0 ,5

Due to the balance of substances, the granules of the finished mixture are absorbed better than separately served cereal concentrates and hay. Cows are fed compound feed during the stall period or replace it with a complete diet in intensive indoor rearing.

Pros and cons of application

Pros and conseconomical consumption;ease of use and storage;feed costs are reduced, productivity and profits are increased with intensive cultivation of meat breeds;environmentally friendly raw materials in mixtures made according to the state standard.individual reactions of animals to binding components;imbalance of substances due to calves eating attractive components and ignoring unattractive ones.

Part of the feed is spilled onto the floor from open feeders during feeding. Dry mixes cause thirst, so animals need to be provided with free access to water, automatic drinking bowls should be installed.

Views

Compound feeds differ in the form of release and purpose.

According to the release form

Mixed feed, compressed in different ways, differ in ease of use, production technology and price.

Loose

The components are ground into powder. According to the degree of grinding, large, medium and small mixed fodder are distinguished. Simple production technology determines the low cost of the product.

Granulated

Crushed components are pressed into rounded granules. The production technology includes heat treatment that destroys pathogenic microorganisms in raw materials.

In briquettes

The ground and heat-treated raw materials are pressed into rectangular bars. The kibble is crushed before being fed to the animals.

As intended

Mixed feed with various compositions is used as a basic diet or supplements.

Full-Full

The mixture contains a set of components that fully meet the needs of animals in nutrients and energy. Ready-made rations are intended for young and adult animals and are issued daily.

Concentrated

The type of compound feed is used as an additive to the main diet to enrich it with vitamins and microelements. Concentrates contain an increased proportion of substances needed to stimulate growth or weight gain.

Supplements

Protein-vitamin superconcentrates are designed for different categories of animals: sires, dairy cows. Additives are added to the feed grain forage base in the amount of 25 percent of the total mass.

Premixes

Separate mixtures of biologically active substances, amino acids, vitamins and antibiotics are designed to strengthen the immune system and improve feed absorption.

Cooking compound feed at home

When preparing the mixture yourself, it is important to choose the right percentage and nutritional value of the components. Making compound feed by hand helps to save on food for small farms. For large farms, the separate purchase of grain, hay and subsequent processing are not profitable. Home cooking technology consists of the following steps:

• selection of ingredients;
• grinding to granules with a diameter of 5 millimeters;
• adding vitamin supplement, premix.

You can prepare the concentrate yourself: separately mix grains, legumes and introduce the vegetable mixture. Premixes are easier to use ready-made, as they contain components that are safe for animal and human he alth.

Mixed feed is prepared according to recipes specially developed in accordance with the direction of cattle productivity.

For dairy cows

Composition and percentage of components:

• meal or sunflower cake - 25;
• herbal flour - 24;
• ground barley - 20;
• wheat bran, chopped corn - 15;
• s alt, chalk - 0.5.

A ready-made premix is also added to the feed in the amount of one percent of the total mass.

For meat direction

Food recipe and percentage of ingredients:

• flattened barley - 40;
• sunflower cake - 30;
• wheat bran - 15;
• extruded corn - 7;
• ground corn - 5;
• s alt, chalk, vitamin premix - 1.

Ingredients selected for intensive fattening.

For bulls

Composition of the mixture for fattening bulls and the volume of components in percent:

• barley - 37;
• cake, granulated sunflower husk - 20;
• wheat bran - 15;
• corn - 5;
• s alt, premix, chalk - 1.

Cattle feed should only be used according to age and intended use.

Feeding animals of all productivity groups with one feed does not allow to achieve maximum productivity.

Meeting

The amount of compound feed given per day depends on the age and performance of the animals.

For calves

The purpose of food up to six months of age is to develop the walls and expand the volume of the rumen, as well as providing nutrients for growth and strengthening immunity.From the fourth day after birth, calves are given prestarter universal feed, softening it with water in a ratio of 1:1.5. From the second week, the daily feed intake increases:

• 1-2 months - 500-700 grams;
• 3-6 month - increases from one to two kilograms;
• 7-12 months - increases to 3.5 kilograms.

The amount of feed increases as the calf's stomach develops.

For adult cows

The amount of compound feed required by a dairy cow per day is calculated according to the daily milk yield - 2 kilograms of the finished mixture is given per 1 liter of milk. The diet for fattening cattle includes a large amount of protein. Feeding troughs fill constantly. Feed must be freely available for at least twenty hours a day.

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