Animal feed is food or intake given to farm animals or pets. Animal feed is a very important factor in cultivation activities in the livestock sector. Therefore, the selection of poultry feed rightly determines the success of the livestock business. Feed requirements of each type of livestock of course vary, depending on the type, age and weight of the livestock. But in general, all livestock need feed and balanced nutrition for growth and its development can be optimal and can produce increase milk production. Because the nutritional needs of cattle can not be fulfilled by giving one type of feed only, then the veraiasi or diversity of the type of feed should also be considered in the feeding of livestock.
Balanced Feed on Cattle
Similarly with cattle business, the provision of quality animal feed greatly affects the success rate of cattle business. Although cattle seeds come from superior seeds and have superior genetic properties, but if not balanced with the provision of quality feed as well as appropriately, then the various advantages will not provide significant added value. Appropriate and qualified animal feeding can increase the genetic potential of domestic cattle so that it can increase the livestock production target.
When the dry season, usually a decrease in energy, minerals, and proteins contained in forage feed. This occurs as a result of forage crops during its growth experienced a lack of water. Furthermore, during this season there is often a shortage of feeding volume due to scarcity of feed material in the form of forage feed. So the feeding of cattle in the dry season is often not meet the requirements of the needs of cattle, even the quality of feed was low. Conditions such as this lead to the growth of cattle become inhibited. In adult cattle will experience weight loss significantly and the percentage of carcass was low. In addition, the proliferation of cattle will also decrease significantly due to the decrease in fertility.
Therefore, during the dry season, cattle ranchers should still provide quality livestock feed, as well as qualify for cattle growth. Quality and qualified animal feed is animal feed containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. The animal feed can be provided in forage or concentrate. Lack of any of these nutrients can cause reproductive disorders. The role of nutritional status for reproductive ability is to initiate pregnancy, maintain nutrients for normal fetal growth and avoid postpartum complications such as placental retention and milk fever.
Insufficient quantity and quality of livestock, ensuring the viability of normal livestock functions including reproductive function. Low energy content in food can cause ovarian dysfunction and no estrous appearance in adult female cows. Quality nutritious foods should contain carbohydrates and fats as a source of energy, protein as bodybuilding substances, vitamins and minerals as a complement in body growth. Lack of nutrient feed is one of the causes of decreased reproductive efficiency because it is always followed by reproductive disorders in males and females. Long-term dietary deficiencies associated with poor environmental factors can cause some health problems in skinny cows, dull fur, ugly skin turgor, slow body growth and lower body resistance to disease.