Feed tags are a goldmine of information, but let’s be honest—not many people take the time to really dig into them. Sure, you might glance at the crude protein or energy content, but that’s usually where the curiosity ends. And who could blame you? With all those numbers and technical terms, feed tags can feel a little like trying to read a foreign language. But trust me, there’s a lot more to these tags than meets the eye, and understanding them can make a big difference for your animals.
Every bag of feed comes with a small but mighty tag attached. This tag is not just for show, it’s your go-to guide for your animals’ nutrition. It conveniently houses all the crucial details you need, from the product’s weight to a guaranteed analysis of nutrients, a list of ingredients, and feeding instructions. Even if the physical tag gets lost, many feed companies post this information on their websites, ensuring you’re always prepared to make the most of your feed.
At first glance, feed tags can seem like a daunting puzzle. The percentages and ingredient names might make you feel like you need a degree to understand them. But fear not, it’s not as complicated as it appears. The information is usually straightforward once you know what to look for. I’m here to guide you through each section of the feed tag, making it easy to understand and empowering you to make better feeding decisions for your animals. Let’s dive in and demystify feed tags together!
What’s in a Name?
Each feed typically has a name that is generally specific to the company that made it. The product name is not just a label, it’s a key to understanding the feed’s purpose and target animal. For instance, you may see names like ‘Chick Starter‘ or ‘Calf Starter ‘, which clearly indicate the feed is designed for young animals. If the feed is medicated, it will be indicated under the product name, providing crucial information about its use.
Along with the name, it will also tell you what the feed will come in: textured or pellet. Most feed tags will tell you the form the feed is in, but not always. Pelleting helps to reduce feed wastage, but the pellets may be too big for the animal to eat, so pick accordingly. A problem you can run into with textured feed is that the animals will pick out certain things, like your kids and vegetables, and only eat what they want.
What’s the Purpose?
Different animals have very different nutritional needs, and even within a species, those needs can change based on age, activity level, or production stage. For example, a growing calf will need a very different feed than a mature cow, and a lactating animal will have higher energy and nutrient demands compared to one at maintenance. Luckily, feed tags make it easy to figure out what the feed is designed for. They’ll tell you if the product is meant for breeding, lactation, maintenance, or another specific purpose, like the example above, which is labeled for maintaining mature horses.
It’s also important to pay attention to any warnings or restrictions on the tag. Most feeds are designed to be versatile and work for a range of animals, but there are exceptions. For instance, feeds containing copper can be dangerous for sheep, as their systems can’t handle the high levels that might be fine for other species. Thankfully, most tags will clearly state if the feed isn’t suitable for certain animals, so take a moment to check—it could save you much trouble down the line.
Guaranteed Analysis: The Nutrient Breakdown
This section contains information regarding the amounts of specific nutrients that the feed contains. All U.S. feed labels must include the minimum crude protein and fat content. It is also necessary to have the maximum fiber content here. There is no requirement to list calcium and phosphorus content if the feed contains less than 6% of these minerals. Some companies choose to list additional nutrients for extra marketing.
One thing to be cautious about when looking at the guaranteed analysis is that although it may show you the percentage of certain nutrients, it does not tell the whole story. This list does not include the quality of the ingredients used to make the feed. So, as always, be sure to do your homework to ensure you are getting the best feed.
Energy: Fuel for Your Animals
Energy is often the first consideration people look at when balancing any ration. An animal eating a very energy-dense concentrate will need to consume fewer pounds per day than a low energy-dense concentrate. Reducing the amount of concentrate consumed allows the animal to eat more forage.
The crude fiber content of a feed can give you a clue about its energy density. This clue is due to an inverse relationship between fiber and expected digestible energy content. Just as commercial feeds with a high fiber content typically contain less digestible energy than those with a low fiber content.
Fat is another source of energy in feed. A traditional concentrate usually contains 3-4% fat, but many feeds now list higher crude fat values. This reason is because some manufacturers add supplemental fat to their formulations. Any feeds containing more than 8% crude fat would be considered added-fat feeds.
Protein: More Than Just a Number
Energy is commonly the first consideration in designing a feeding program. Still, crude protein is often the first nutrient producers look for when selecting a specific feed. Remember to choose a ration that complements the forage the animal is consuming. Testing the hay is the best way to determine the nutrient profile of the forage, which will aid you in selecting the correct ration. If you are wondering about the best way to perform a hay test, I covered that in a previous post, “Hay Sampling: What to Know.”
When choosing a concentrate, it’s essential to consider its energy-to-protein ratio. This ratio is a key consideration in feed formulation, as it influences the animal’s growth, production, and overall health. Nutritionists use this ratio to ensure the feed provides the right balance of energy and protein, assuming that producers follow the feeding instructions on the label.
Another thing to consider with protein is rumen-degradable vs. rumen-undegradable protein. Rumen-degradable proteins degrade quickly in the rumen, making nitrogen available for microbes. The feed tag will not have a specific listing, so you should ask your nutritionist about this.
Ingredients: What’s Really Inside?
The following section on the feed tag lists the ingredients listed in order of the greatest to the smallest amount in the formulation. Some feed manufacturers specifically list the various grains and protein supplements (oats, corn, alfalfa meal). In contrast, others use general ingredient categories (grain products, plant protein products).
Here’s a quick look at what might be listed:
- Plant protein products: Soybean meal is the most common, but canola, sunflower seeds, and others are also used.
- Grain products: Corn, barley, wheat, and sorghum are the usual suspects.
Plant protein products
The most common product used for plant protein in feed is soybean meal. This product is good because the oil extraction process is sufficient to destroy the anti-nutritional factors in soybeans. Canola, sunflower seeds, peanuts, cottonseed, flax, and sesame seeds are some other oilseeds used in animal feed.
The first four or five ingredients commonly comprise the bulk of the formulation. Vitamins, minerals, and flavorings will form a small portion of the total concentrate.
Grain products
Cereal grains take center stage when it comes to providing energy in an animal’s diet. These grains, like corn, barley, wheat, and sorghum, are staples in most feed rations because they pack a powerful punch of digestible energy. They’re not just filler; these grains fuel everything from daily activity to weight gain and milk production. Each grain has its own unique characteristics—corn is a heavy hitter for energy. At the same time, barley and wheat can offer additional protein and fiber.
Though less common, grains like rye, oats, and triticale also make appearances in feed formulations. These grains might not be used as often, but they bring their own set of benefits. For example, oats are highly palatable and easy for animals to digest, making them a favorite for younger livestock or those with sensitive stomachs. Meanwhile, triticale—a hybrid of wheat and rye—offers a balance of energy and protein that can complement more traditional grains. By understanding the role of these grains, you can make better choices to match your animals’ energy needs.
Feeding Instructions: Read Before You Feed
The last section on the feed tag is the feeding instructions. This section is the manufacturer’s recommendation for using their product to maximize its performance. According to the feeding instructions, the animal is expected to consume a certain amount of pounds each day. Feed intake is based on weight, not volume. Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Not all rations should be fed in the same way.
“Complete feeds” are formulated to be the animal’s only nutrition source. What this means is that it will provide protein and other nutrients while at the same time also satisfying their forage needs. This method is necessary for dry lot situations, such as hay, where no forages are available.
A “Balancer” ration is to be fed in tiny amounts. They provide a very dense source of protein, minerals, and vitamins to complement high-forage diets. Rather than replacing pasture forages with this feed, it supplements them.
Leave a Reply