• Water
• Energy
• Protein
• Minerals
• Vitamins
Productivity of animal is influenced primarily by feed intake which, in turn, is determined by feed digestibility and the capacity of the diet to supply the correct balance of nutrients required by animals in different productive states.
Water is a major component of the animal’s body and is influenced by several such factors as species, age, and dietary conditions that effect the amount in the body. Animals are more sensitive to the lack of water than food. Livestock should always have access to adequate quantities of good-quality, clean water. Lack of water leads to decreased feed intake, lower production, and reduced revenues
The major components of the food that contribute to its energy content are carbohydrate, fat and protein. When animals take in food of plant origin, the energy contained in those plants is used for maintaining body functions (respiration, blood flow, and nervous system functions), for gain of tissue in growing animals, and for products (milk, wool).
This energy is used for mechanical work of muscles, synthesis of macromolecules from simpler molecules, and for providing heat.
Proteins are required for almost all body functions. Requirements vary according to:
• age
• growth rate
• pregnancy and lactation status
It is important to take note that amino acids and not protein per se are the nutrients required by ruminants. Absorbed amino acids are vital nutrients for maintenance, growth, health, reproduction, and lactation, and are used mainly as building blocks for protein synthesis, as well as precursors for glucose and fatty acids synthesis.
More specifically, amino acids are involved in tissue growth and repair, enzymatic activity, transport of molecules, genetic storage, immune function and cell differentiation.
The primary function of carbohydrates and fats in animal nutrition is to serve as a source of energy for normal life processes. The dry matter in plants consists of 75 to 80 percent carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are the major constituents of plant tissues, and the energy in most plants is available largely as carbohydrates. This energy provides the animal the nutrition for growth, maintenance, and production.
While beef cattle have requirements for several vitamins, most are produced by rumen microorganisms and, thus, are not required in the diet. Pasture and average to excellent quality roughages usually contain sufficient quantities of the vitamins needed by beef cattle to support body maintenance, production and reproduction. Beef cattle may need vitamins A, D and E supplementation where the forage supply consists of crop residue, over-mature or weather-damaged hay or dry winter forage.
Research has shown that cattle are capable of storing large quantities of vitamin A in the liver during periods of high intake. This commonly occurs during the grazing season on lush, green forage, with these storage supplies being depleted during the winter months.
Requirements for most minerals are affected by a variety of dietary and animal factors. Deficiencies in any of the required minerals will reduce production efficiency. The mineral content of the animal’s body makes up approximately 5 percent of its weight.
Importance nutrition for cattle growth
