Raising the standard for livestock feeding

“The book is the livestock equivalent of the dietary guidelines used in human nutrition/dietetics,” says CSIRO Plant Industry’s Dr Mike Freer.

“It provides comprehensive and useful information for graziers, livestock advisors, veterinarians, feed manufacturers and animal nutrition researchers.”

The standards have undergone a complete revision over the past two years, overseen by Dr Freer and Dr Hugh Dove from CSIRO, and Professor John Nolan from the University of New England.

“The book incorporates the results of the most recent research on the energy, protein, mineral, vitamin and water requirements of ruminant livestock,” Dr Freer says.

“Livestock responses to changes in feed quantity and quality are also detailed, and this is a particularly important aspect considering Australia’s highly variable climate.”

While Nutrient Requirements of Domesticated Ruminants   has a focus on grazing animals, it is equally applicable to animals in feedlots or drought yards.

The book also incorporates the latest technology, directing readers to computer-based decision support tools and spreadsheet programs which help them to apply the nutrient requirement data provided.

Nutrient Requirements of Domesticated Ruminants is based on the benchmark publication, Feeding Standards for Australian Livestock: Ruminants, published in 1990 by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Standing Committee on Agriculture.

It is available through CSIRO Publishing, at publishing.sales@csiro.au, www.publish.csiro.au, or by contacting 1300 788 000.

Download image at: Raising the standard for livestock feeding