A feed tag is a very informative but often overlooked item on a commercially produced feed. Other than looking at the Crude protein or the energy content, not many people really look at them. With some of the confusing numbers and such listed on them, it is understandable how that can happen.
Attached to every bag of feed is this little colored tag. Nowadays, many regional or national feed companies now provide the same information on their websites. Tags contain vital information such as the product weight, guaranteed analysis, list of ingredients, and feeding instructions. The feeding instructions tell you how best to use the product.
Initially, what is on the feed tag can be overwhelming, but the information is typically pretty to the point. Now, if you have ever looked at one and felt that you needed a Ph.D. to understand, fear not, for I am here to help. I will give you a breakdown of each section and its meaning.
Product name
Each feed typically has a name that is generally specific to the company that made it. The product name will tell you which animal the feed is designed for. You may see things like “Chick Starter” or “Calf Starter” with the product name. It will be indicated under the product name if the feed is medicated.
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.
Purpose statement
The nutritional requirements of different animals vary considerably. In addition, for specific species, the nutrient requirements will vary depending on the age and production level of the animal. You can tell by the label whether it is for breeding, lactation, maintenance, etc. The example above says it is for the maintenance of any mature horses. Depending on the species, you can feed most feeds to different types. The exception would be not feeding anything with copper to sheep. The tag will often tell you that a producer should not provide it to sheep.
Guaranteed Analysis
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
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
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 is also essential to consider its energy-to-protein ratio. Nutritionists keep this ratio in mind when formulating feeds, assuming that producers follow the feeding instructions on the label.
Another thing to consider with protein is the rumen degradable vs rumen undegradable protein. Rumen degradable are proteins that degrade easily 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.
List of ingredients
The next section on the feed tag is the list of ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order of the greatest to the smallest amount in the formulation. Some feed manufacturers will specifically list the various grains and protein supplements (oats, corn, alfalfa meal), while others use general ingredient categories (grain products, plant protein products).
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 are the primary energy source in diets. Grains such as corn, barley, wheat, and sorghum are what is commonly used in rations. Some of the less common ones used include rye, oats, and triticale.
Instructions for feeding
The last section on the feed tag is the instructions for feeding. 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 and 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 where no forages are available, such as hay.
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.
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