AGS 319 - Animal Nutrition

1. Analyze the role of nutrients and their functions regarding animal health and productivity
   1. Define a nutrient
   2. Align nutrient categories with their respective functions
   3. Explain the relationship between those nutrients providing energy in animal diets
   4. Articulate factors affecting the partitioning and utilization of feedstuff energy
   5. Differentiate essential amino acid requirements among species
   6. Associate important minerals with common deficiency and toxicity symptoms
   7. Characterize important vitamins according to deficiency indicators
   8. Discuss the importance of clean water and its availability to livestock
   9. Determine and describe proper quality, delivery, and consumption of feed and water
   10. Utilize commonly accepted units of measure to express animal nutrient needs and feedstuff nutrient density.
2. Evaluate digestive system differences between species.
   1. Define digestion of feedstuffs and absorption of nutrients
   2. Use terms relating to digestive and absorptive processes in context
   3. Label digestive system anatomy common among species
   4. Explain the function of digestive system components in simple stomached animals
   5. Distinguish differing digestion capabilities among monogastric animals
   6. Articulate digestive mechanisms unique to avian species
   7. Describe the anatomy and function of the ruminant stomach
   8. Summarize the roles of mechanical, chemical, enzymatic and microbial digestion
   9. Recall the absorbable end products of digestion and their role in animal health and performance
   10. Differentiate digestive tract capabilities and limitations regarding utilization of various feedstuffs by species
3. Evaluate feedstuffs relative to nutrient composition and animal requirements.
   1. Examine International Feed Names and Numbers
   2. Match feedstuffs available with the proper feed class
   3. Review procedures for evaluating the nutritional value of feedstuff
   4. Compare various nutrient sources
   5. Describe the difference between roughages and concentrates
   6. Name the protein supplement classes and the species for which they are used
   7. Utilize proximate analysis and general nutrient tables regarding composition of feeds
   8. Identify feedstuffs suitable for each species based on digestive capabilities
   9. Calculate the protein level of given feedstuffs and convert nutrient densities from dry matter and as-fed basis
   10. Explain the physical evaluation of feedstuffs
   11. Cite growing, storage and handling impacts on the nutritional value of feedstuffs
   12. Summarize methods and advantages of processing feedstuffs
4. Formulate rations based upon animal nutrient requirements.
   1. Describe an animal to be fed
   2. Recall the expected feed intake for the five major animal species
   3. Identify suitable production benchmarks for each species
   4. List various methods of delivering feed and water to livestock
   5. Outline the method of balancing rations using the Pearson Square
   6. Demonstrate the ability to balance a simple animal ration
   7. Calculate balanced rations using two feed sources
   8. Calculate balanced rations using three or more feed sources
   9. Calculate balanced rations using fixed ingredients
   10. Find, interpret and apply data feedstuff composition data to balancing animal diets
   11. Analyze diets based upon cost of production
5. Outline the impact of commercial feed regulations on animal production.
   1. Consider effects of commercial feed laws on the animal feeding industry
   2. List items which must be included in the guaranteed analysis of a feed tag
   3. Select a feed tag and be ready to discuss its content in class
   4. Apply record keeping rules, guidelines and best practices regarding feed ingredient inventory and utilization
   5. Contemplate implications of commercial feed laws for feed manufacturers and animal producers
6. Examine the role of additives in animal health and production.
   1. Identify feed additives and their applications
   2. Describe the appropriate use of implant products on growth promotion and feed efficiency
   3. Give examples of regulations regarding utilization feed grade antibiotics and additives
   4. Deliberate issues related to additive usage and implications for food animal producers