Factors Affecting Feed production

Feed industry is likely to be increasingly affected by various factors starting from production to animal
feeding. Foremost, in order to achieve the maximum level of benefit expected from feed, it must be
willingly consumed by the animal. Many factors affect the consumption of feed and subsequent
digestion in the animal's body. These factors can be changed with human intervention.
1. Factors Affecting Industry in Production Stage.
During the production phase the Feed industry is affected by factors such as soil, climate, fertilization,
harvest time and others.
Soil: Nutrient content on the plant-derived feeds depends on the availability of nutrients in the soil. In
other words, the feed value is affected by the place where plant grow and the extent to which the plant
can take benefit from water and air. As a matter of fact, in some regions, any lack or excess of mineral
components will affect the plant and subsequently the feeding animal. For example, animals fed by
the feed crops growing in the soil with insufficient phosphorus will experience phosphorus deficiency.
Phosphorus fertilization increases the amount of the product as well as the phosphor content of the
plant. Similarly, low content of zinc in the soil, both negatively affect the feed product and feeding
animal. On the other hand, excess of minerals in the soil such as selenium, phosphorus, iodine can
lead to animal poisoning.
Climate: On the other hand, the effect of climate on different feeds is different. Although the grain
feed is less affected by the climate, the effect of the climate on the green feeds is excessive. Climate,
soil and some other factors can cause excessive nitrate accumulation in corn, sorghum and some
other plants. In addition, the rate of nutrients decreases as the water rate of green plants increases
over the periods when precipitation is high. In dry seasons, both the amount of product and mineral
components decreases. However, the content of organic components increases. Cool air during the
development period of the plant decreases the leaf/stem ratio, so the protein content of the plant is
decreased proportionally.
Fertilization: With regular and accurate fertilization, it is possible to obtain high quality feed
ingredients with high nutritional content. Fertilization and irrigation increases the rate of leaf/stem and
therefore has a positive effect on protein content. Fertilization also decreases the negative effect of
the soil composition on the plant. With soil calcification it is possible to increase the amount of plant
nutrients and products. However, incorrect and one-sided fertilization can lead to breakdown of plant
composition and reduction of the feed value. This is because reactions of the plants to the fertilization
are different. For example, fertilization of cereals with unilateral nitrogen fertilizer will reduce protein
levels, because the legume ratio in the mixture is reduced.
Harvest time: During the first exile of green fodder plants their organic substances are in the form of
simple compounds. With plant aging these compounds are converted into large molecular
compounds. Thus nitrogenous compounds, amino acids, amid substances, proteins and simple
sugars turns into starch and cellulose. For this reason, young plants have high protein and low
cellulose content. As the plant matures, the cellulose content and lignification of cell walls increases
and the degree of digestion and hence its nutritional value are reduced. Feed value of grain feed is
not significantly affected by the harvest time. These plants can be harvested beforehand in periods of
shortage or excess rainfalls, illnesses and other anomalies. In such cases, feed value will decline
because of big quantities of compounds in the simple structure.
Other Factors: The rate of growth of plants affects nutrients and feed value. If the rate of
development is slow, mineral and protein content becomes high, so the higher volume of green feed
can be obtained. Animals dont eat the feed willingly that grow in shadow places and meadows.

2. Factors Affecting Industry at Storage Stage.

Feed nutrients are subject to degradation and destruction by chemical action or light. In general there
are some biological, physical and chemical factors that lead to the damage and ulitmate loss to the
stored products.
Temperature: All feed ingredients should be stored at a cool temperature, ideally below 25 0 C. The
right temperature is crucial to avoid a destruction of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
Moisture: All feed ingredients should be stored in dry conditions to prevent fungal or bacterial growth.
The initial moisture content of the feed should be less than. Production of mycotoxins or nutrient
degradation, bacterial growth and production of toxins can take place when the mosture is just above
14%, say 16%.
Insect damage: It is crucial to prevent rodent or insect entry into feed products. Larvae and beetles
and rodents can easily contaminate grain and grain products.
Fats and Oils: In some cases it is necessary to use antioxidants to preserve fats and oils in feed
products.
Vitamins: It is crucial to use the stable forms of vitamins.
Expirations dates: There are some generally accepted requirements on expiration dates of some
items that are used for feed production. For example, vitamin mixtures can be used within 6 month
after preparation ( exceptions of up to one year if stabilized with ethoxyquin).
3. Factors Affecting Industry at Feed Intake Stage.
Feed intake is one of the most sensitive factors affecting the feed production and its efficiency.
Animal factor: Very young or very old animals are usually less efficient in their digestion of feeds.
Poor health and declined secretion of enzymes may negatively affect the igestibilty at an old age.
Digestibility of fat in chickens is higher in adults than in young chicks.
Feed composition and nutrient content: Roughages high in crude fibre are better utilized by
ruminants than by non-ruminants due to the pre-gastric fermentative digestion that occurs in the
ruminants. Together with this, digestion deficiency in ruminants is largely prevented when dry weed,
ground oats, and wheat bran together with roughages are provided to animals. The level of protein,
carbohydrates, lipids and minerals in the feed products affect digestion of an animals. For example, In
ruminants, large intakes of soluble carbohydrates (eg.molasses 7% and above) results in lower
microbial breakdown of crude fibre and poor disgetability.Excessive levels of fat in the feed products
generally worsen the animals digestibility. Digestion is improved by adequate amount of salt and
water.