Comparative Nutrition Commons^™

Analysing Feeds For Cattle, Sheep And Goats, D J. Barker

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Department of Agriculture's Feed Evaluation Unit at Bunbury provides a service for farmers and allied industries on a fee-for-service basis, and conducts analyses for research officers, advisers and organisations such as the University ofWestern Australia. It also analyses feedstuffs for Departments of Agriculture in other States.

The Unit analyses about 5000 samples each year. The work load is high because no other laboratory in Western Australia provides the same service. Results are recorded on a computer which makes it easy t6o retrieve results of analyses of particular types of feedstuffs or froma particular owner or district.

Low Protein Rations Halve Bacon Pig Profits, N W. Godfrey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

For many years the department of agriculture has recommended that pig producers include meat meal or other protein concentrate in pig rations based on cereal grains. However, it is still common for pigs to be raised on cereal grains with little or no protein added.

Recent trials at the Department of Agriculture's Medina Pig Research Station have demonstrated the losses which can result from feeding pigs on low-protein cereal rations.

Surplus Cereal Crops For Sheep Feed, H E. Fels

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SINCE the introduction of wheat quotas many farmers have considered feeding unsaleable grain to sheep.

The three alternative methods of feeding this grain to sheep are

• as standing crops

• as grain supplements, fed in the paddock

• as grain plus hay, in a feedlot.

Tallow As A Substitute For Butterfat In The Diet Of A Young Calf, R. Sprivulis

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WHILE cow's milk is the best food for a young calf it is also very expensive.

The normal substitute for whole milk is skim milk, but removing the butterfat from cow's milk reduces the dry matter content by 30 per cent and the digestible energy by 50 per cent.

Values Of Commonly-Used Protein Supplements In Broiler Rations, D F. Hessels

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE performances of broiler flocks in the latter part of 1964 were below standard. Low body weights and a high incidence of gizzard erosion were common on farms.

It was therefore decided to test the biological valuss of the commonly-used protein supplements and also to try to find a correlation between gizzard erosion and any of the protein supplements.

Comparisons Of Broiler Rations, D F. Hessels

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PELLETS are the most profitable feed for broiler chickens—but when they contain about two-thirds cereal, does it pay a country grower to pay freight on pellets when cereals are plentiful in his district?

The Nutritive Value Of Poultry Feed Ingredients, P Smetana

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE lack of comprehensive feed ingredient analysis charts, compiled specifically for Australian conditions, has prompted the compilation of the table presented here.

Minerals For Livestock : Shotgun Licks : A Waste Of Money, Laurence C. Snook

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Think carefully before buying proprietary "shotgun" licks, warns Animal Nutrition Officer Dr. L C. Snook in this article.

Many of these licks contain a variety of minerals not needed by stock in Western Australia, and misleading claims are sometimes made as to their value.

Dr. Snook concludes that only three minerals are needed in this State, and gives a recipe for a cheap all-purpose lick containing them.