• Not widely grown in U.S.
• Compared to corn, it contains less energy and more protein.
• Except when fed to poultry, it is typically ground or rolled prior to feeding.
• Bul density = 50 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content 

• Ruminant TDN = 90%
• Monogastric ME = 1300 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12.5%

Physical Description - brown color, small and round or slightly oblong shape, and a smooth texture.

• Grown primarily in dry regions of U.S., where there is not enough rain for corn production.
• Compared to corn in feeding value.
• Due to very hard seed coat, it is usually processed prior to feeding (coarsely ground, rolled, crimped, etc.).
• Bulk density = 55 lbs/bush
• Average Nutrient Content
• Ruminant TDN = 82%
• Monogastric ME = 1520 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 10%

Physical Description - reddish-brown color, round and bead-like shape, and a smooth texture.

• Not a very important feed grain in the U.S.
• Lower palatability than most other cereal grains.
• Compared to corn, it is slightly lower in energy and higher in protein.
• Except when fed to sheep, it should be processed prior to feeding (ground, cracked, etc.).
• Bulk density = 56 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 88%
• Monogastric ME = 1375 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12.5%

Physical Desciption - brownish-gray coor, long an full shape, round edges, and a smooth texture.

• Not widely grown in the U.S.
• A synthestic cereal grain, derived by crossing what with rye.
• Compared to corn, it is slightly lower in energy and higher in protein.
• Usually processed in some way prior to feeding (coarsely ground, cracked, etc.).
• Bulk density = 56 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 90%
• Monogastric ME  = 1425 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 14%

Physical Description - brown color, short and oblong shape (plumper than wheat), round edges, crease down middle of one side, and a smooth texture.

• Widely grown in the U.S.
• Primarily used in human food, but can be fed to livestock.
• Compared to corn, it is slightly lower in energy and higher in protein.
• Usually processed in some way prior to feeding (coarsely ground, rolled, cracked, etc.).
• Bulk density = 60 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 88%
• Monogastric ME = 1450 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 13.5%

Physical Description - brown color, short and oblong shape, round edges, crease down middle of one side, and smooth texture

• Most extensively produced feed grain in U.S.
• Typically the energy standard to which other grains are compared.
• High energy content, but low in protein.
• Low fiber content.
• Usually processed in some way prior to feeding (ground, cracked, steam-flaked, etc.).
• Bulk density = 56 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 90%
• Monogastric ME = 1550 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 8.5%

Physical Description - yellow color, somewhat tear-shaped, and a smooth texture.

• Shelled corn that has been mechanically processed through a hammer mill.
• Reduces the particle size, increases surface area, and improves energy utilization.
• Actual particle size of ground corn will depend on screen size and power of the hammer mill.
• Coarser grinds are preferred for ruminants, and finder grinds are generally preferred for monogastrics.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 90%
• Monogastric ME = 1550 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 8.5%

Physical Description - yellow and white color, fine to coarse particle size, and a granular to powdery texture.

• Shelled corn that has been mechanically processed through a hammer mill.
• Reduces the particle size, increases surface area, and improves energy utilization.
• Actual particle size of ground corn will depend on screen size and power of the hammer mill.
• Coarser grinds are preferred for ruminants, and finer grinds are generally preferred for monogastrics.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 90%
• Monogastric ME = 1550 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 8.5%

Physical Description - yellow and white color, fine to coarse particle size, and a granular to powdery texture.

• The entire ear of corn (grain and cob) that has been ground through a hammer mil or burr mill.
• Reduces particle size, increases the surface area, and improves starch digestibility.
• Due to high fiber content, it is fed primarily to rumant animals

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 78%
• Monogastric ME = 1400 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 8.0%

Physical Description - white and yellow color, various particle sizes, and a rough texture.

• helled corn that is subject to high-moisture steam for a long period of time (15-30 minutes) and then rolled to produce a flat flake.
• Increases the surface area and gelatinizes some of the starch making it more digestible.
• Primarily fed to cattle and horses

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 90%
• Monogastric ME = 1550 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 8.5%

Physical Description - yellow and white color, flat shape, and a flaky texture.

• Not as widely available in west U.S. as corn, wheat, and oats.
• Compared to corn, it contains less energy but has more protein, lysine, and fiber.
• Usually processed in some way prior to feeding (coarsely ground, steam-rolled, crimped, etc.).
• Bulk density = 48 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 88%
• Monogastric ME = 1320 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12.5%

Physical Description - brown color, oblong shape, irregular edges, and a slightly rough texture.

• Whole barley that is subjected to high-moisture steam for a short period of time (1-8 minutes) and then rolled to produce a flat flake.
• Increases the surface area and improves energy utilization.
• Used primarily in horse diets and feedlot diets.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 88%
• Monogastric ME = 1320 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12.5%

Physical Description - brown color, flat shape, and a flaky texture.

• Widely grown in cool, moist climates of the U.S.
• Compared to corn, it is lower in energy and higher in protein.
• Used extensively in horse feeds and feeds for starting young animals.
• Can be fed whole, but usually processed prior to feeding (rolled, ground, crushed, crimped, steamed, etc.).
• Bulk density = 32 lbs/bushel

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 77%
• Monogastric ME = 1200 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12%

Physical Description - light brown color, long and thin shape, and a slightly rought texture with irregular edges.

• Whole oats that have been passed between a set of closely fitted, corrugated rollers to produce a flake.
• Increases the surface area and improves energy utilization.
• Used primarily in horse diets or diets for young animals.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 77%
• Monogastic ME = 1200 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12%

Physical Description - light brown color, long flat shape, and a flaky texture.

• Whole oats that are subjected to high-moisture steam for a short period of time (1-8 minutes) and then rolled to produce a flat flake.
• Increases the surface area and improves energy utilization.
• Used primarily in horse diets or diets of young animals.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 77%
• Monogastric ME = 1200 Kcal/lb
• Crude Protein = 12%

Physical Description - light color, flat shape, and a flaky texture.

• Excellent feedstuff for horses and ruminants (high in protein, minerals, and vitamins).
• Lower fiber content than traditional alfalfa hay.
• Limited use in monogastric diets (sometimes used as a laxative in prefarrowing sow diets).
• Often pelleted prior to feeding.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 17-20%
• Lysine = 0.7-0.9%
• Ruminant TDN = 57%
• Monogastric ME = 1000 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - varies from light to dark green, small particle size, and a granulary to powdery texture.

• Widely grown in the U.S.
• Rarely fed in the whole, full-fat form, but can be if first heated to destroy anti-nutritional factors (trypsin inhibitor).
• Can be a valuable source of protein and energy.
• Usually processed (oil removed and ground) into soybean meal for livestock feeding.

Averate Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 35-38%
• Lysine - 2.2=2.4%
• Ruminant TDN = 85%
• Monogastric ME = 1600 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - light brown color with a black "eye", fairly round shape, and a smooth texture.

• Most widely used protein supplement in the U.S.
• Produced by grinding the flakes that remain after oil is extracted from whole soybean.
• Very palatable with the highest nutritional value of any plant protein source.
• Excellent source of protein and amino acids.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 44-48%
• Lysine = 2.8-3.0%
• Ruminant TDN = 78%
• Monogastric ME = 1400 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - light borwn color, irregular shape, and a granular to flaky texture.

• Widely grown in the southern U.S.
• Used as a feed source for dairy and beef cattle, and does not require processing prior to feeding.
• Not used in monogastric feeds due to toxicity problems associated with gossypol (a yellow pigment).
• High in protein, energy, and fiber.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 23%
• Lysine = 1.0%
• Ruminant TDN = 96%
• Monogastric ME = N/A

Physical Description - white color, roundish oblong shape, and a fuzzy texture.

• Widely grown in the southern U.S.
• Produced by grinding the flakes that remain after oil is extracted from whole cottonseeds.
• Excellent protein source for ruminants, but only limited use in monogastrics (gossypol toxicity).
• Low in lysine and tryptophan.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 38-41%
• Lysine = 1.5-1.7%
• Ruminant TDN = 71%
• Monogastric ME = 1200

Physical Description - brown color with black flecks, and a granular to powdery texture.

• Grown primarily in cooler climates where other oil seeds cannot be grown.
• Produced by grinding the flakes that remain after oil is extracted from whole canola seeds.
• Canola is a crop derived from rapeseed, but unlike traditional rapeseed is low in both erucic acid and glucosinates.
• Lower in digestible energy than soybean meal.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 35-38%
• Lysine - 2.0-2.3%
• Ruminant TDN = 64%
• Monogastric ME = 1100 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - yellowish brown to brown color, small particle size, and a granular to powdery texture.

• Grown primarily in north-central U.S.
• Produced by grinding the flakes that remain after oil is extracted from whole flaxseed.
• Used primarily in diets for ruminants and horses, with limited use in monogastric diets due to poor amino acid distribution.
• Has a laxative effect.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 32-35%
• Lysine = 1.0-1.2%
• Ruminant TDN = 73%
• Monogastric ME = 900 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - varies from light to dark brown color, small particle size, and a granular texture.

• Produced by grinding the oil extracted peanut kernels.
• Highly palatable and high in protein.
• Protein is somewhat low in digestibility due to tannins found in the skin, and has poor amino acid balance.
• Somewhat susceptible to aflatoxin contamination.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 45-48%
• Lysine = 1.5-1.8%
• Ruminant TDN = 73%
• Monogastric ME = 1250 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - light brown to brown color, and a granular to powdery texture.

• Produced by grinding the oil extracted sunflower seeds.
• High in protein, but low in the amino acid lysine.
• High fiber content (11-13%) limits its use in monogastric diets.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 34-41%
• Lysine = 1.4-2.0%
• Ruminant TDN = 61%
• Monogastric ME = 1125 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - brown to brownish-black color with light gray flecks, small particle size, and granular to powdery texture.

• By-product of the meat packing industry that is produced by grinding dried blood into a meal.
• Very high in protein, but low in the amino acid isoleucine.
• Lower in palatability and digestibility than many other protein sources.
• Good source of ruminant bypass protein, and used in limited amounts in young pig diets.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 80%
• Lysine = 7.0%
• Ruminant TDN = 60%
• Monogastric ME = 900 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - dark brown to dull red color and a granular to powdery texture.

• Produced by drying milk after the fat has been removed.
• Good source of digestible protein, but usually deficient in fat soluble vitamins and some minerals.
• High cost limits widespread use.
• Primarily used in milk replaceers and starter diets for young animals.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 33%
• Lysine = 2.6%
• Ruminant TDN = 80%
• Monogastric ME = 1500 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - creamy to light tan color and a powdery texture.

• By-product from making cheese that is produced by spray-drying the liquid that remains after the casein and most of the fat has been removed.
• Good source of digestible protein and energy (high in lactose).
• High cost limits its widespread use.
• Primarily used in diets for newly weaned pigs to increase feed intake.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 12%
• Lysine = 1.1%
• Ruminant TDN = 79%
• Monogastric ME = 1450 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - creamy to light brown color and a powdery texture.

• By-product from making cheese that is produced by roller-drying the liquid that remains after the casein and most of the fat has been removed.
• Good source of digestible protein and energy (high in lactose).
• High cost limits its widespread use.
• Primarily used in diets for newly weaned pigs to increase feed intake.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 12%
• Lysine = 1.1%
• Ruminant TDN = 79%
• Monogastric ME = 1450 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - tan to light brown color, and a granular to powdery texture.

• By-product from poultry slaughtering industry that is produced by grinding the cleaned, dried, and hydrolyzed feathers.
• Very high in protein, but very low in most other nutrients.
• Palatability can be a problem.
• Primarily used in diets for mature ruminants, and will rarely exceed more than 5% of the diets for monogastrics.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 85%
• Lysine = 1.0%
• Ruminant TDN = 63%
• Monogastric ME = 1050 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - brown color with flecks of white and a granular to powdery texture.

• Fishery industry by-product, produced by grinding the cleaned, dried tissue of fish cuttings, with or without extraction of the oil.
• Excellent source of digestible protein, B vitamins, and minerals.
• Used extensively in poultry diets, but also used in weanling pig diets and in rumen bypass feeds.
• Palatability can be a problem.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 60%
• Lysine = 4.7%
• Ruminant TDN = 71%
• Monogastric ME = 1460 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - brown color with tiny white bone chips and a powdery texture.

• Rendering industry by-product, produced by grinding the dried mammalian tissue (excludes blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, stomach, and rumen).
• Good source of protein, energy, calcium, and phosphorus.
• Primarily used as a partial source of supplemental protein for monogastrics (limited use in ruminant and horse diets).
• Low palpability (hard to handle).

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 45-50%
• Lysine = 2.2-2.6%
• Ruminant TDN = 67%
• Monogastric ME = 1150 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - light brown color with tiny white bone chips and a powdery texture.

• Meat packing industry by-product, produced by adding anticoagulant to freshly collected blood, separating the plasma from the red blood cells by centrifugation, and spray-drying the plasma
• High in protein, and contains active immunoglobulins.
• Primarily used as a protein source for early weaned pigs.
• High cost limits its use.

Average Nutrient Content

• Crude Protein = 78%
• Lysine = 6.8%
• Ruminant TDN = N/A
• Monogastirc ME = N/A

Physical Description - off white to tan color and a fine powdery texture.

• By-product of the beer making industry.
• Consists of the dried extracted residue of barley malt (alone or in mixtures with other grains) that have been used to provide maltose and dextrins for fermenting.
• Primarily used as a ruminant feed, but may be fed in limited amounts to monogastrics.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 73%
• Monogastric ME = 900 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 12%
• Crude Protein = 27%

Physical Description - brown color, oblong particles, and a flaky texture.

• Consists of the outer covering of oat grain after it has been processed to separate the groat (kernel) from the hull.
• A source of fiber that is low in energy and protein.
• Primarily used as a ruminant roughage extender during times when forages are in short supply.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 37%
• Monogastric ME = 300 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 30%
• Crude Protein =3.5%

Physical Description - light brown color and smooth, stem-like to flaky texture.

• By-product of the wheat flour milling industry.
• Consists of the coarse outer covering of the wheat kernel.
• Rich in niacin, vitamin B1, phosphorus, and iron.
• Used to provide bulk to diets and as a mild laxative.
• Used primarily in diets for horses and in diets for gestating cows, sheep, and swine.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 62%
• Monogastric ME = 1055 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 10%
• Crude Protein =  16%

Physical Description - light brown color with spots of white, fairly large particle size, and a flaky texture.

• By-product of the wheat flour milling industry.
• Consists of the fine particles of wheat bran, wheat shorts, wheat germ, wheat flour, and some of the offal from the "tail of the mill".
• Rich in niacin, vitamin B1, phosphorus, and iron.
• A palatable feedstuff commonly added to cattle diets.
• Has a mild laxative effect

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 81%
  Monogastric ME = 1000 Kcal/lb
  Crude Fiber = 8.5%
  Crude Protein =15%

Physical Description - light brownish color, small particle size, and a lightly flaky to finely ground texture.

• By-product of the distillers industry.
• Consists of the dried, screened coarse grain fraction that remains after the removal of the alcohol from a yeast fermented mash.
• Primarily used as a protein and energy source in ruminant and horse feeds, but may be fed in limited amounts to monogastrics.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 79%
• Monogastric ME = 1450 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 13%
• Crude Protein = 27%

Physical Description - light to dark brown color, coarse particle size, and a flaky to powdery texture.

• By-product of the distillers industry.
• Obtained by drying and blending together both the screened, coarse grain fraction and the condensed screened stillage remaining after the removal of the alcohol from a yeast fermented mash.
• Primarily used as a protein and energy source in ruminant and horse feeds, but may be fed in limited amounts to monogastrics.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 82%
• Monogastric ME = 1500 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 8.5%
• Crude Protein =27%

Physical Description - lisght to dark brown color, varyihng particle size, and a flaky to powdery texture.

• By-product of the wet corn milling industry.
• Consists of the dried residue remaining after the removal of most of the starch, gluten, and germ from corn.
• Contains corn bran and soluble protein.
• Primarily fed to ruminants as a source of protein and energy (high fiber content limits its use in monogastrics).

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 75%
• Monogastric ME = 1050 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 10%
• Crude Protein =  21%

Physical Description - brown color with a flaky to powdery texture.

• By-product of the wet corn milling industry.
• Consists of the dried residue remaining after the removal of most of the starch, germ, and bran from corn.
• Marketed as a 41 or 60% crude protein feed ingredient.
• Primarily fed to poultry and dairy as a protein source, and is a good ruman bypass feed.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 76-86%
• Monogastric ME = 1400 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 2.5-4.0%
• Crude Protein = 41 or 60%

Physical Description - yellowish brown color with a granular to powdery texture.

• Produced by extracting the sugar from sugar beets and drying the remaining pulp.
• Good source of digestible fiber for ruminants and horses.
• Sometimes added to sow diets to prevent constipation.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 68%
• Monogastric ME = 1050 Kcal/lb
• Crude Fiber = 21%
• Crude Protein = 8%

Physical Description - grayish-brown color, irregular particle size, and a rough texture.

• By-product of the cottonseed oil manufacturing industry.
• Consists of the outer covering of the cottonseed that is removed prior to oil extraction.
• A high fiber, palatable feedstuff used as a roughage for cattle, especially in areas where good quality forages are scarce.
• Occasionally added in grain mixes to increase the bulk density and crude fiber content.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 47%
  Monogastric ME = N/A
  Crude Fiber = 43%
  Crude Protein =4%

Physical Description - white colored cotton fibers and brown to brownish-black colored hulls, and a mixed rough and fuzzy texture.

• By-product of the soybean oil and meal manufacturing industry.
• Consists of the outer covering of the soybean that is removed prior to oil extraction.
• A palatable source of digestible fiber for ruminants and horses.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 71%
• Monogastric ME = N/A
• Crude Fiber = 36%
• Crude Protein = 10%

Physical Description - light brown color with dark specks, and a flaky texture.

• A natural source of calcium and phosphorus.
• Derived from rock phosphates that have been heated to drive off fluorine.
• Must have less than 1 part fluorine to 100 parts phosphorus

Average Nutrient Content

• Calcium = 33%
• Phosphorus = 18%

Physical Description - dark gray color, small gravel shape, and a granular to powdery texture.

• A synthetic source of calcium and phosphorus.
• Obtained by processing rock phosphates into phosphoric acid, which is then reacted with calcium carbonate (limestone).
• Commonly used source of calcium and phosphorus in livestock, horse, and poultry feeds.

Average Nutrient Content

• Calcium = 22%
• Phosphorus = 18.5%

Physical Description - gray color, small rock-like shape of varying size, and a granular texture.

• A natural source of calcium.
• Obtained by grinding mined, calcitic limestones.
• Also called calcium carbonate.
• A relatively inexpensive source of calcium used in livestock, horse, and poultry diets.

Average Nutrient Content

• Calcium = 38%

Physical Description - light gray color and a granular to floury texture.

• A by-product source of calcium and phosphorus.
• Prepared from bones by cooking with steam under pressure, grinding, and drying.
• An excellent source of calcium and phosphorus in livestock, horse, and poultry feeds.
• More expensive than other calcium and phosphorus sources.

Average Nutrient Content

• Calcium = 24%
• Phosphorus = 12%

Physical Description - off-white to light gray color and a powdery texture.

• Produced by coarsely grinding oyster shells (sometimes finely ground to produce oyster flour).
• Consists of approximately 94% calcium carbonate.
• An excellent source of calcium used primarily in poultry feeds.

Average Nutrient Content

•  Calcium = 38%

Physical Description - off-white to gray color, rock-like shape, and a coarse texture.

• Also referred to as bluestone.
• Source of copper for mineral supplements added to livestock, horse, and poultry feeds.
• Also included at high levels (250 ppm) in swine diets where it acts as a growth promotant.

Average Nutrient Content

• Copper = 25.4%
• Sulfur = 12.8%

Physical Description - light blue color, a tiny crystal shape, and a granular to grainy texture.

• Comprised of almost pure sodium chloride.
• Most common mineral supplement added to livestock, horse, and poultry feeds.
• May be provided in block, granulated, or rock form.

Average Nutrient Content

• Sodium = 39.5%
• Chloride = 59%

Physical Description - white color, a tiny uniform crystal shape, and a granular to grainy texture.

• Consists of salt and one or more trace minerals (such as cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, sulfur, selenium and zinc).
• Commonly fed free-choice to grazing animals in either loose or block form.

Average Nutrient Content

•  Vaies depending on added trace minerals.

Physical Description - bronze to reddish color, a tiny uniform crystal shape, and a granular to grainy texture.

• May contain the trace minerals cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, selenium, and (or) zinc.
• Various inert products or feedstuffs (such as calcium carbonate, soy flour, protein meals, or rice hulls) are used as carriers in trace mineral premixes.

Average Nutrient Content

• Varies depending on added trace minerals.

Physical Description - light brown color and a flaky to very fine, powdery texture.

• May contain both fat soluble and water soluble vitamins.
• Fat soluble vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
• Water soluble vitamins are biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pyridoxin (vitam B6), pantothenic acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 and vitamin C.
• Various feedstuffs (such as rice hulls, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, and wheat middlings) are used as carriers in vitamin premixes.

Average Nutrient Content

•  Varies depending on added vitamins

Physical Description - light brown to yellowish brown color, small particle size, and a flaky to powdery texture.

• A source of nitrogen (not a protein supplement) also referred to as non-protein nitrogen.
• Should only be fed to ruminants.
• Can be toxic if fed at excessive levels (should provide no more than 1/3 of the total nitrogen in the diet).
• Diets with added urea should also contain a readily available source of carbon (energy).

Average Nutrient Content

• Nitrogen = 42-45%

Physical Description - white color, small beadlike particles, and a granular texture.

• A very potent energy source supplying about 2.25 times more energy than starch or sugar.
• Used primarily to increase the caloric density of the diet.
• Increases diet palatability.
• Sometimes added to diets to reduce dustiness.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 175%
• Monogastric ME = 3300 Kcal/lb

Physical Description - a somewhat viscous liquid with a light yellow to yellowish-brown color.

• Synthetic source of the amino acid lysine.
• Produced by bacterial fermentation.
• Used primarily in monogastric diets (especially swine diets) to lower total crude protein and meet the lysine requirements.

Average Nutrient Content

• Lysine = 78%

Physical Description - off-white to cream color and a granular to powdery texture.

• Synthetic source of the amino acid methionine.
• Produced by bacterial fermentation.
• Used prmarily in monogastric diets (especially poultry diets) to lower total crude protein and meet the methionine requirements.

Average Nutrient Content

• Methioine = 99%

Physical Description - white color and a crystalline to powdery texture.

• Synthetic source of the amino acid threonine.
• Produced by bacterial fermentation.
• Used primarily in monogastric diets to lower total crude protein and meet the threonline requirement.

Average Nutrient Content

• Threonine = 98%

Physical Description - tan to light brown color and a granular to powdery texture.

• Synthetic source of the amino acid tryptophan.
• Produced by bacterial fermentation.
• Used primarily in monogastric diets to lower total crude protein and meet the tryptophan requirements.

Average Nutrient Content

•  Tryptophan = 98%

Physical Description - white to creamy color and a powdery texture.

• Synthetic source of the amino acid tryptophan and lysine.
• Produced by bacterial fermentation.
• Used primarily in monogastric diets to lower total crude protein and meet the tryptophan and lysine requirement

Average Nutrient Content

• Tryptophan = 16.1%
• Lysine = 56.3%

Physical Description - light brown color and a granular to powdery texture.

• An antioxidant (feed preservative).
• Included in diets with added fat (or diets with high fat ingredients) to retard the oxidative destruction of nutrients.

Average Nutrient Content

•  No nutritive value

Physical Description - black color, small bead-like shape, and a granular texture.

• Dried by-product of the manufacture of sugar from either sugar beets, or more commonly, sugarcane.
• Highly palatable, readily available source of energy.
• Most commonly added to ruminant and horse diets.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 80%
• Crude Protein = 7%

Physical Description - dark brown color and a flaky and (or) granular texture.

• Liquid by-product of the manufacture of sugar from either sugar beets, or mor commonly, sugarcane.
• Highly palatable, readily available source of energy.
• Most commonly added to ruminant and horse diets.

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 80%
• Crude Protein = 7%

Physical Description - A viscous (thick) liquid with a dark brown to black color.

• High quality, cool season perennial legume with an extensive root system that makes it drought resistant.
• Can grow to heights of 2 to 3 feet.
• Grows best in hot, dry climates in soils that are deep, fertile, and well drained.
• As a pasture forage it is not very tolerant to continuous grazing ruminants.
• As hay it is very palatable, high in protein, and excellent for general feeding puroses.
• Annual yields = 3-6 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 55-60%
• Crude Protein = 15-25%

Physical Description - erect growing with many leafy stems arising from large crowns at solid surface; compound leaves with three long, narrow leaflets, no prominent watermark or V-shaped pattern, and serrated only at tip; can have purple or yellow flowers.

• High quality, highly palatable, cool season perennial grass with rhizomes that produce a dense sode.
• Can grow to heights of 1 to 3 feet in seed head stage.
• Can withstand close, heavy grazing better than most other grasses.
• Very sensitive to heat and summer drought (becomes dormant and brown during hot, dry summers).
• Not widely used as a hay grass because of its low yield, and if mixed with other grasses and legumes it matures before other plants are ready to cut.
• Annual yield = 1-3 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 60-75%
• Crude Protein = 12-17%

Physical Description - leaves are dark green color, narrow and fine bladed with tips shaped like a boats bow; no auricles and low ligule; seed heads smaller than those for fall fescue.

• Deeply rooted, strongly tuffed, cool season perennial bunchgrass with short rhizomes.
• Can grow to heights of 2 to 4 feet in seed head stage.
• Tolerant of soil acidity, low fertility, and poor drainage, and relatively tolerant of drought and overgrazing.
• Susceptible to endophyte fungus infection which aids in plant survival, but reduces animal performance.
• Most widely used for pasture especially winter grazing.
• Annual yields = 2-4 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN - 45-60%
• Crude Protein = 10-15%

Physical Description - leaves are shiny, dark green, thick, wide, and ribbed with prominent veins and no obvious ligule; emerging leaves are rolled in the bud.

• Long-lived perennial bunchgrass that forms dense circular bunches.
• Can grow to heights of 2 to 4 feet in seed head stage.
• High quality, high yielding, palatable forage that is well-suited for use in mixtures with Alfalfa and Red Clover.
• Shade tolerant, moderately heat and cold resistant, but not tolerant of close cutting or continuous grazing.
• Annual yields = 2-4 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 55-70%
• Crude Protein = 8-12%

Physical Description - bluish color leaves with leav veins less prominent than those for tall fescue; stems are flattened at base; leaves emerge along the midrib of the leaf folded in half.

• Perennial bunchgrass with a fairly shallow and fibrous root system.
• Can grow to heights of 2 to 5 feet in seed head stage.
• Primarily a hay plant, but can be used for pasture when part of a mixture - grows well with Alfalfa and (or) Red Clover.
• Disadvantages include a short stand life, low quality when cut late, clumpy growth habits, and sensitivity to hot temperatures.
• Annual yields = 2 - 4 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 55-65%
• Crude Protein = 8-12%

Physical Description - leaves have a bluish green color; swollen, bulb-like structure at base of stem; cylindrical seed head.

• Long-lived perennial cool season legume that spreads by stolons.
• Can grow to heights of 8 to 12 inches.
• Ladino is a taller growing type of white clover.
• Highly palatable and nutritious, it is used primarily as a pasture forage in mixtures with Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue.
• Disadvantage is the potential for bloat, especially in the spring and with thick, lush strands.
• Annual yields = 1-3 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 60-70%
• Crude Protein = 15-28%

Physical Description - leafy plant with leaves that are shiny underneath and sometimes watermarked with a V-shaped pattern; stems often grooved; unlike red cover, no hairs on leaves and stems; white flowers.

• Widely adapted,high yielding, cool season perennial legume.
• Can grow to heights of 2 to 3 feet.
• Used as both a hay and pasture forage, usually in mixtures with Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Timothy, or other cool season grasses.
• Best suited to regions with abundant rainfall.
• Has a shorter stand life than Alfalfa or White Clover.
• Disadvantages are the hay is dusty, and over-mature cuttings contain a fungus that causes animals to slobber.
• Annual yields = 2-5 tons DM/acre

Average Nutrient Content

• Ruminant TDN = 55-70%
• Crude Protein = 12-22%

Physical Description - erect, leafy plant with large leaves that almost always have a prominent V-shaped pattern or watermark on leaflets; very hairy, fleshy stems; pink flowers.