Two main types of animal feed are roughage and concentrates. Roughage, like hay and straw, is primarily fiber-rich and helps maintain animal health, while concentrates, such as grains and oilseeds, provide a concentrated source of energy and nutrients for growth and production.
Roughage:
Function: Roughage, which includes items like hay, straw, and silage, serves as a source of fiber, which is crucial for the digestive health of animals, particularly ruminants like cows.
Examples: Hay, straw, silage, and crop residues.
Concentrates:
Function:
Concentrates are nutrient-rich feeds that provide a high concentration of energy, protein, and other essential nutrients, which are vital for growth, milk production, and other productive functions in animals.
Examples:
Cereal grains (like corn and oats), oilseeds (like soybeans), and by-products from processing sugar beets or sugarcane.