Pellets feed for cattle

The pelleting of feed refers to grinding the feed into small particles and then forming them into a small, hard form called a pellet. Cubing is the same process as pelleting, but the cubes are larger in size than the pellets.

Energy and protein rich feeds can be purchased already formulated and sometimes pelleted as commercial pellets or they can be blended on farm from the raw materials to form a balanced concentrate mix.

Individual feeds or complete rations may be pelleted or cubed. Calf rearing pellets often contain vitamin and mineral additives. Cow pellets are not suitable for rearing calves.

Pelleting has various advantages. Animals are not able to sort the feed which is offered. Moreover, various ingredients may be mixed together and fed as one feed or complete ration.

Under range feeding conditions when supplementation is required, one of the more convenient and practical ways of feeding cattle is by pellets or cubes. Different sizes of pellets can be prepared by changing the diets on the machines.

Pelleting grains gives an increase in feed efficiency of up to 5 percent. Feed efficiency is increased because less feed is wasted when it is pelleted. Complete pelleted rations will slightly increase feed intake.

In United States, Illinois Station indicated greatly increased nutritive value of hay as a result of pelleting it. Pelleting of corn cobs also improve their nutritive value, similarly dehydrating and pelleting the whole plat corn silage will improve its value.
Pellets feed for cattle