Learn how to provide enough protein for your livestock's growth, reproduction, and health. Avoid common mistakes and improve your feed quality, quantity, and efficiency.

looks the farmer is not aware of importance of protein in the diet of animals. If in animal feed protein is as per requirement of the animals their productivity will b at the top in form of milk,meat and breeding.Thus if Protein is less in animal feed the farmer will suffer from all these productivity parameters so farmers must know the proper source of cP.The cheapest source is fodder and farmer must choose the fodder having higher protein. Rye grass,Alfalfa and berseem having more than 20% protein while sorghum is having 6/7%. Therefore farmers choice of fodder will make basic difference. Further high producing animals need more than less producing animals.Addition of concentrate having high cp will compensate

Your livestock is not getting enough protein. What are you doing wrong?

Protein is an essential nutrient for livestock growth, reproduction, and health. However, many agribusiness owners struggle to provide enough protein for their animals, especially during dry seasons, winter, or drought. If your livestock is not getting enough protein, you may notice signs such as poor weight gain, reduced milk yield, low fertility, weak immunity, and increased susceptibility to diseases. What are you doing wrong? Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1 Mistake 1: Relying on low-quality forage

Forage is the main source of protein for most livestock, but its quality and quantity depend on various factors such as plant species, maturity, harvesting, storage, and weather. Low-quality forage has less protein, digestibility, and palatability than high-quality forage. To maximize forage quality, you should select crops suitable for your soil, climate, and animal needs; harvest at the optimal stage of maturity; store correctly to avoid spoilage, mold, and nutrient losses; and test periodically to determine its protein content and adjust feeding accordingly.

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Hafiz Wasi Muhammad Khan

Head of Agriculture Initiatives and Nutrition Resource Management at Solve Agri Pak (Private) Limited
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looks the farmer is not aware of importance of protein in the diet of animals. If in animal feed protein is as per requirement of the animals their productivity will b at the top in form of milk,meat and breeding.Thus if Protein is less in animal feed the farmer will suffer from all these productivity parameters so farmers must know the proper source of cP.The cheapest source is fodder and farmer must choose the fodder having higher protein. Rye grass,Alfalfa and berseem having more than 20% protein while sorghum is having 6/7%. Therefore farmers choice of fodder will make basic difference. Further high producing animals need more than less producing animals.Addition of concentrate having high cp will compensate

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Ibrahim Gbadeyanka

Field agronomist
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One thing I found helpful is giving your livestocks high quality forages. The More the quality of the forage, the More it retains it nutrients and made available for the animals when they consume it.

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2 Mistake 2: Not supplementing with concentrates

Concentrates are feedstuffs that have high protein and energy content, such as grains, oilseeds, by-products, and commercial mixes. They can be a useful complement to forage and increase your livestock's protein intake, especially when forage is scarce or low in quality. Unfortunately, many agribusiness owners fail to supplement their livestock with concentrates due to cost, availability, or ignorance. To use concentrates effectively, you should calculate your livestock's protein requirements based on their age, weight, production, and activity level. Compare your forage protein content with these needs and then determine the amount and type of concentrates to supplement. Additionally, choose concentrates that are affordable, accessible, and suitable for your livestock species and production system. Finally, introduce concentrates gradually and monitor your livestock's response and performance.

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Ibrahim Gbadeyanka

Field agronomist
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Supplementing your livestocks feed with concentrate is very paramount to achieve a balanced diet. Concentrates will fill the gap of the missing nutrients that may occur due to forage qualities.

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3 Mistake 3: Overlooking mineral and vitamin deficiencies

Protein is not the only nutrient that affects your livestock's health and productivity; minerals and vitamins are also essential for metabolic functions, such as enzyme activity, hormone synthesis, bone formation, and immune response. Unfortunately, many agribusiness owners overlook the possibility of mineral and vitamin deficiencies in their livestock, which can impair protein utilization and cause various disorders. To prevent these deficiencies, you should analyze your soil, water, forage, and concentrates for mineral and vitamin content to identify any gaps or imbalances. Additionally, provide free-choice mineral and vitamin supplements that match your livestock's needs and preferences. It is important to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding minerals and vitamins as excess or deficiency can be harmful. Lastly, observe your livestock for any signs of mineral and vitamin deficiency, such as poor coat condition, reduced appetite, lameness, or reproductive problems.

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Ibrahim Gbadeyanka

Field agronomist
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Micro nutrients that may be lack in both forage and concentrates must be supplemented through mineral blocks. This will enhanced growth and development.

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4 Mistake 4: Ignoring water quality and quantity

Water is essential for life, aiding in protein digestion, absorption, and metabolism. Without adequate water, livestock can suffer from dehydration, reduced feed intake, impaired growth, and lower milk production. Despite its importance, many agribusiness owners ignore the need for water quality and quantity for their livestock, especially in hot or dry conditions. To ensure your livestock has enough water, you should provide clean and fresh water that is free of contaminants. You should also supply enough water troughs or tanks that are accessible and well-maintained. Furthermore, adjust your water supply according to your livestock's water demand, which varies depending on their species, size, production, and environmental factors. To ensure your livestock is hydrated, monitor their water consumption and check for any signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, or skin tenting.

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Ibrahim Gbadeyanka

Field agronomist
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Provision of adequate quality water is very important because consuming contaminated water may lead to sickness, which will leads to loss of appetite and death of the animals in some cases.

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5 Mistake 5: Failing to optimize feed efficiency

Feed efficiency is the ratio of animal output (such as weight gain, milk yield, or egg production) to feed input (such as forage, concentrates, or supplements), and it reflects how well your livestock converts the protein and other nutrients they consume into products that generate income for your agribusiness. Unfortunately, many agribusiness owners fail to optimize their feed efficiency, resulting in wasted feed, increased costs, and lower profits. To improve your feed efficiency, measure your feed intake and output regularly and calculate your feed efficiency using formulas or tools. Compare your feed efficiency with industry benchmarks or your own goals to identify areas for improvement. Implement best management practices that enhance your feed efficiency, such as improving feed quality, reducing wastage, controlling portions, and managing delivery. Finally, evaluate your feed efficiency periodically and make adjustments as needed.

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Ibrahim Gbadeyanka

Field agronomist
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Good housing also play a vital role. The pen must be conducive and built in a way that will make temperature, light and humidity to be monitored and managed. There must be Way of regulating these environmental condition during the extreme weather periods.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ian Huddleston 1st

WizeOwl101 - Lifestyle Block Mentor/Consultant
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In my experience in New Zealand creating a healthy soil is the key to healthy pasture which in turn will grow healthy livestock. It is part of the interconnectedness of all things. A multi species pasture,MPS, is necessary for a healthy soil and for healthy livestock. The MPS pasture is important for the soil where it supports the microbes and fungi and for the livestock where it provides the variety for self medication.

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Your livestock is not getting enough protein. What are you doing wrong?

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1 Mistake 1: Relying on low-quality forage

2 Mistake 2: Not supplementing with concentrates

3 Mistake 3: Overlooking mineral and vitamin deficiencies

4 Mistake 4: Ignoring water quality and quantity

5 Mistake 5: Failing to optimize feed efficiency

6 Here’s what else to consider

Agribusiness

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