Nutrient Requirements of Farm Animals

The nutrient requirements (quantity and quality) of different animals differ depending on:

• Their species
• Their breed
• Their age
• Their sex
• Their production potential
• Their stage of production
• Whether they are ill or healthy
• The product they produce (whether wool, meat, milk etc.)

These factors will influence the nutrient requirements of animals throughout their lives.  In general, nutrient requirement tables indicate the nutrient requirements of different age animals for their maintenance requirements as well as for different levels of production. Production indices could include growth, milk production, gestation (pregnancy) or fibre production.