Methods of feeding farm animals have changed and evolved dramatically over the past 150 years. During the latter part of the 20th century the livestock industry grew significantly, thus creating a higher demand for farm animal feed. Nowadays a great many ingredients are used in feed, and that sometimes includes food types that would not in nature constitute part of the animals’ indigenous diet. Fish-derived components for example bear no relation to the sorts of foods cattle would naturally eat.

 

Questions about the wisdom of using animal material in farm animal feed resulted in certain prohibitions being put in place. MBM (mammalian meat and bone meal) was outlawed as a feed component due to probable links to BSE. It is now illegal to use most types of PAP (processed animal protein) as an ingredient for feed.

 

While the list of prohibited feed ingredients is substantial there remains a wide variety of food types that can be used to feed farm animals. Research into farm animal nutrition is an ongoing endeavour, and many new uses for crops are being discovered all the time. Investigations into the effects of GM (Genetic Modification) are also in progress worldwide.

 

It is ultimately the individual farmer who decides how and what to feed his animals, but his decisions will be influenced by a number of factors. Firstly, the species of animals and their ages must be considered. And as economy and efficiency must be borne in mind the market prices and availability of animal feed products is a major consideration. The nutritional values of the different food types will of course have a bearing on the end produce of the animal, be that meat, milk or in the case of poultry, eggs as well as meat.

 

Nutritional values in animal feed are present in varying degrees in different food ingredients. Combination feeds are often given to farm animals in order to supply the required levels of nutrition. It benefits the health and the well-being of the herd or flock and results in high quality product. In general combo-feeds will be made from a mixture of the four main food groups: forage crops, home-grown produce, cereal product and brewing industry bi-products

Around 20% of farm animal feed material that is used in the United Kingdom is imported from outside of the European Union. Soya based feed is largely supplied from North and South America, while maize based components represent a large import from the United States.

 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes valuable AWIC (Animal Welfare Information Centre) information regarding the well-being of farm animals.

 

Information is available from their website:www.awic.nal.usda.gov