Good to excellent forage quality is such that it contains high protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus and other essential nutrients (some which are naturally there and others that need to be mixed in with the feed), all which are necessary for a lactating cow. Milk production requires a lot of nutrition, so much so that a cow needs 50% more nutrition than if she was dry. Thus it is important that, in order to have cows that will produce high quantities of milk (as well as high quality milk), the feed must be of high quality nutrients.
Feeding forage (grass/hay) before concentrates has been shown to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal upset in horses.
Forage production refers to the cultivation or management of plants that are grown to be grazed by livestock or harvested for hay. These plants are typically high in nutritional value and provide essential nutrients for animals, making them an important component of livestock feeding systems. Forage production can be crucial for supporting animal health, maximizing productivity, and sustaining livestock operations.
Neil M. Lanning has written: 'Forage analysis' -- subject(s): Analysis, Feeding and feeds, Dairy cattle, Feeds, Forage plants
Moisture content of the grass and the quality. The higher a feed or forage is in moisture content, the more that feed or forage will be consumed by a cow.
A bull needs 2.5% of his body weight in dry matter of forage per day. The forage must be good quality and nutritious.
Provide a balanced diet that meets the horse's nutritional requirements. Feed consistently in terms of timing, quantity, and quality. Ensure access to fresh water at all times. Monitor body condition and adjust feeding regimen accordingly.
In the 10th month of gestation, the forage to concentrate ratio for a broodmare should be around 70:30. This is to ensure the mare receives enough energy and nutrients to support the growing fetus without providing excess calories that could lead to obesity or metabolic issues. It's important to consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to determine the specific needs of the individual mare.
Onobrychis viciaefolia, holy clover
It's a method of feeding calves so that they can gain enough weight to be sold at a higher monetary value. It also helps increase their ability to grow and be healthier. Creeping calves is a method that is much debated among producers: some don't like doing it because it's too costly, others do it because it puts more money in their pocket (figuratively speaking, mind you) when they sell them. But creeping calves can be important during times when their mothers cannot produce enough milk for them due to poor forage quality, or as a necessity if the breed being raised does not have as good forage convertibility as other breeds. Calves are fed a calf-starter grain mixture in a feeder only they are allowed to access. Another method of creep-feeding calves is letting them have access to better quality pasture ahead of their dams. A part of the fence is raised so that the cows cannot go through but the calves can.
Very hot and humid or arid environments, or any environment that does not produce enough quality forage for them to subsist on.
the antoynm of forage is "distribute"
Well, it depends on what species you are referring to (since you have the question posed for not just cattle, but also for goats, sheep and horses), and the quality of the grass or hay. Poor quality grass will take longer to digest than good quality hay, and poor quality hay will take longer to digest than high-quality grass. In ruminants such as sheep, goats and cattle, a low quality forage can starve an animal to death because all it's doing is sitting in the stomach and not doing anything for the animal. It's different for horses, though, as they are able to digest poor quality forage than ruminants because they have a different digestive tract. Horses can digest forage that is high in fibre because it can move through quicker and won't get piled up in the stomach like that will happen with most ruminants.