Proposal for the introduction of an energetic feed evaluation system based on unitary parameters and principles for all farm animals

Abstract

The energy availability from the feedstuffs and the energy requirement of animals are characterized by the metabolizable energy. The metabolizable energy of the feed (feedstuff, ration) is interpreted as potential energy. For comparative analyses within and between animals species with regard to the energetic feed value of single feedstuffs the parameter "relative fat retention effect" is introduced. The metabolizable energy of a ration is estimated in consideration of live weight and protein production (protein in body gain and milk). The energy requirement is calculated factorial--as a rule by the partial utilization of metabolizable energy for partial performances (e.g., kf, kp, kl) in connection with the level and kind of partial performance; km is not used in the system. The proposed system of energetic feed evaluation is available as "computer variant" as well as "manual variant". The computer programme is fitted first of all to application in research and teaching. (The complete documentation of the proposal for energetic feed evaluation for pigs including a diskette for using of the computer programme for scientific applications can be claimed in limited extend from the author.)

The effect of naked oats (<i>Avena nuda</i> L.) used in feeding gilts on their sexual activity

“…Many authors (Whittemore et al, 1995;Sinclair et al, 1998) have found that a fat layer whose thickness exceeds 16 mm leads to good reproductive results. High-calorie flush feeding a few days before oestrus appears in gilts has a beneficial effect on the intensity of ovulation (Hoffmann, 1994;Van den Brand et al, 2001). …”