# Nutrition & Forage Reference

Use this file when the user asks about feeding programmes, ration balancing,
supplementation, forage selection, or preventing nutritional/metabolic disorders.

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## Nutritional Requirements by Category

### Bovine

| Category | Live weight | Energy (Mcal DE/day) | Crude protein (DM) | Calcium (DM) | Phosphorus (DM) | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy cow (in milk) | 500–600 kg | 14–18 | 16–18 % | 0.60–0.80 % | 0.35–0.45 % | Increase ration per litre produced; supplement Se + vitamin E |
| Dry cow (pre-calving) | 550–700 kg | 12–14 | 10–12 % | 0.40–0.50 % | 0.25–0.30 % | Avoid energy overfeeding; apply anionic diet 3 weeks pre-calving to prevent milk fever |
| Growing calf | 100–200 kg | 8–12 | 14–16 % | 0.55–0.65 % | 0.30–0.40 % | Free-choice water; supplement vitamins A, D, E; colostrum within first 6 h |
| Stocker / feedlot steer | 250–450 kg | 12–16 | 12–14 % | 0.45–0.55 % | 0.25–0.35 % | Expected gain 0.8–1.2 kg/day; increase energy in finishing phase |

### Ovine

| Category | Live weight | Energy (Mcal DE/day) | Crude protein (DM) | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pregnant ewe | 50–70 kg | 5–7 | 12–14 % | Boost energy 20–30 % in last trimester; prevent pregnancy toxaemia |

### Porcine

| Category | Live weight | Energy (Mcal DE/day) | Crude protein (DM) | Calcium (DM) | Phosphorus (DM) | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactating sow | 180–240 kg | 16–20 | 17–18 % | 0.85–0.95 % | 0.55–0.65 % | Ad libitum feeding during lactation; ensure ample fresh water |

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## Tropical Forages

### Grasses

| Name | Climate | Yield (DM/ha/yr) | Nutritive value | Management notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maralfalfa (*Pennisetum* sp.) | tropical, subtropical | 150–300 t | CP 10–14 %, NDF 55–65 % | Cut every 45–60 days; not suitable for direct grazing without management; best for cut-and-carry |
| *Brachiaria brizantha* | tropical, savanna | 10–15 t | CP 8–12 %, NDF 65–75 % | Drought-tolerant; persistent; low establishment cost |

### Legumes

| Name | Climate | Yield (DM/ha/yr) | Nutritive value | Management notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leucaena (*Leucaena leucocephala*) | tropical, semiarid | 8–15 t | CP 18–25 %, high degradability | Do NOT exceed 30 % of diet — risk of mimosine toxicity; excellent protein bank |

### Forage Crops

| Name | Climate | Fresh yield | Nutritive value | Management notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forage sorghum | tropical, subtropical, semiarid | 40–60 t FW/ha | CP 8–12 %, high energy | Ideal for silage; caution — HCN in young regrowth after frost or stress |

### Forage Trees

| Name | Climate | Yield (DM/ha/yr) | Nutritive value | Management notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry (*Morus alba*) | tropical, subtropical | 15–30 t | CP 15–25 %, high digestibility | Excellent protein bank; can be fed fresh or as hay; highly palatable |

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## Common Nutritional Disorders

| Disorder | Species | Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk fever (hypocalcaemia) | Bovine, ovine, caprine | Low blood Ca at calving | Pre-calving anionic diet; Ca supplementation in transition |
| Pregnancy toxaemia | Ovine | Energy deficit in late gestation | Boost energy last trimester; avoid over-stocking |
| Grass tetany | Bovine | Low Mg on lush spring pasture | Supplement MgO; avoid sudden turn-out to lush grass |
| Bloat | Bovine, ovine | Rapid fermentation on legume-rich pasture | Limit legume intake; use anti-bloat additives; strip-graze |

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## Ration Formulation Tips

1. **Forage first** — always meet fibre requirements before adding concentrates.
2. **Balance energy and protein** — excess protein without energy wastes N and raises cost.
3. **Match life stage** — requirements change significantly at calving, peak milk, and dry-off.
4. **Mineral programme** — at minimum, supply Ca, P, Mg, Se, and vitamins A, D, E.
5. **Fresh water** — water intake drives dry matter intake; never restrict access.