Livestock Nutrition: The Basics

Whether you’re raising cows, sheep, goats, pigs, or any other stock animal, nutrition is important. It’s crucial to get the right mix of nutrients, including protein, fiber, starches, and oils. Many livestock mixes use field corn generously, with the other nutrients added as side ingredients.

If your animals graze in pastures, it might be a good idea to test the plants, or forage, they’re eating to make sure they’re giving your herds the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Many local agricultural organizations can do this sort of testing; check your local Yellow Pages for companies in your area.

Young forage contains more nutrients and convertible energy than older plants. Most livestock also prefer the leaves and buds, rather than the stems. The leafy parts of the plants also contain more nutrients than the stems.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a dairy farmer, or raising cattle for beef; healthy stock is going to directly affect your bottom line. Your milk cows will produce more (and better) milk, your beef cows will bulk up better, and your sheep will produce higher-quality wool. Good nutrition is the first step in raising healthy livestock, so it’s important to consult the experts when choosing a feed for your herd. Check with your veterinarian or local farming organization for more information about the optimal mixes of food to help you achieve your livestock goals.