Composition of Cattle Feed

In this article we will discuss about the composition of cattle feed.

Cattle may be raised on diets primarily composed of pasture (grass) or a concentrated diet of grain, soy, corn and other supplements. Cattle raised on a prima­rily forage diet are termed grass-fed or pasture-raised; for example, meat or milk may be called grass- fed beef or pasture-raised dairy. Most cows have a diet that is composed of at least some forage (grass, legumes, or silage). In fact, most beef cattle are raised on pasture.

Different cattle feeding production systems have separate advantages and disadvantages. However, the composition of some of the feed for cattle is discussed here in details.

1. Grass Fed:

Chips of grass and other forage compose most or at least the great majority of the grass fed diet.

2. Corn-Fed:

Cattle called “corn-fed,” “grain-fed” or “corn-finished” are typically fattened on corn, soy and other types of feed for several months before slaughter. As a high-starch, high-energy food, corn decreases the time to fatten cattle and increases yield from dairy cattle. Some corn-fed cattle are fattened in concentrated animal feeding operations.

3. Fatty Diet:

Most grass-fed cattle are leaner than grain-fed beef lacking marbling, which lowers the fat content and caloric level of the meat. Meat from grass-fed cattle has higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the omega-3 fatty acids ALA, EPA, and DHA.

Flax (linseed) seeds (Linum usitatissimum) is one of the most biologically available botanical sources of omega-3 fatty acid which is high in protein and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Ground flax is used as a fat supplement in cattle rations. Being high in pro­tein and fats, it can easily replace other energy dense foods such as corn.

Flax seeds suppress inflammatory effects from bovine respiratory disease (BRD) often affecting stressed cattle due to production practices such as transport and processing. Another effect of feeding flax in cattle ration is an observed increase in the daily dry matter intake. Flax feeds are more expensive compared to other feeds, but the economical benefits from having a generally healthier herd of cattle outweigh the cost.

Antibiotics are commonly used in the food production system as a way to control the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Potential benefits from the use of antibiotics include the pre­vention of diseases, increase in food and water uptake and increase the digestive effectiveness of the animal. There are concerns, however, about residues of the antibiotics getting into the milk or meat of cattle.

There are two distinctions between the clinical and non-clinical use of antibiotics in cows. Clinical use of antibiotics refers to the treatment of cows due to sickness. However, corn-fed cattle draw attention to the non-clinical use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics are used to promote growth and treat sick cattle, yet the cattle would not get sick if they were not fed on corn- based diet, that subjects them to diseases caused by the malfunctioning of their rumen.