Language
Country/Area
No result found
The wonderful difference between forage and feed: Do you know why the choice is so important?
In the animal husbandry industry, animal feed is an important food for livestock and plays a vital role in the health and productivity of animals. Animal feed can be divided into two categories: forage and feed. The term "feed" usually refers to food specially manufactured to meet the needs of animals. With the advancement of agricultural technology, people's choice of feed has become more and more important, because improper feed selection may have negative effects on animals and the environment.
Animal health and productivity are highly dependent on balanced nutrition.
The importance of forage
Forage usually refers to the food provided to animals, and does not include the parts that animals eat by themselves. There are many types of forage, including hay, straw, silage, compressed feed and some specially treated mixed feed. Globally, grass and crop residues are the main sources of animal feed. In the global livestock industry, cereals account for about 11% of dry matter, while by-products of oilseed crops (such as soybean cake) account for 5%.
Manufacture and composition of feed
In today's agriculture, feed manufacturing depends not only on the animal's nutritional needs, but also on its formulation, presentation, hygienic condition and its digestibility. In the United States, for example, tens of thousands of farmers operate their own feed mills, competing with large corporations, creating a highly competitive market. At the same time, farmers can also prepare feed according to their own needs to ensure that the nutritional intake of animals meets recommended standards.
With climate change and persistent drought, widespread pasture agriculture is increasingly plagued by forage shortages.
Environmental impact of forage and feed
The impact of feed use in different industries on the environment is also different. Conventional feed production often puts pressure on land use, robbing land that could be used for human food. In some regions in particular, the production of animal feed is an important driver of deforestation, soil degradation and climate change. For example, the 2017 drought in Senegal triggered a surge in demand for manufactured feed and increased meat prices, affecting the livelihoods of local farmers.
The challenge ahead: choosing the right feed
In the face of the challenge of climate change, innovation and adaptability have become important ways to ensure animal health. Improving feed, such as using certain types of seaweed to reduce methane emissions from cattle, is already part of some cutting-edge agricultural practices. In addition, focusing on improving the nutritional value of feed will also offer hope in combating climate impacts. How farmers choose better feed to reduce the impact on the environment while improving production efficiency will be a major challenge in the future.
In today's agriculture, it is crucial to understand the nutritional needs of animals and to supplement them effectively through natural forage and appropriate amounts of feed.
Conclusion
Feed selection not only affects the health and happiness of animals, but also relates to the sustainable development of the environment. Future agriculture needs to pay more attention to ecological balance while increasing production. In your opinion, how can we find the best balance between animal feed and environmental protection while pursuing high efficiency?
