Perspectives of future feed information based on energy and nutrient availability.
The need for improvement of feed information in future is discussed from the perspective for implementation in practice. Weaknesses of the current feed evaluation systems, energy systems in particular, are described: prediction of voluntary feed intake, additivity of digestibilities of individual feedstuffs and dynamics of digestion, efficiency of utilization of energy and variation in maintenance requirements. A brief inventory of models to quantify energy and nutrient metabolism by farm animals is followed by an overview of aspects required to fulfill the demands for a nutrient-oriented feed evaluation. These include feed characteristics to determine and animal aspects, as well as involvement of environmental and management factors. The need for better harmonization of methods and quality of feed information and for international coordination in this matter is underlined.
van der Honing
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Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO), Lelystad, The Netherlands.
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D004063:Digestion; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009751:Nutritional Requirements