Animal Nutrition and Productions

Animal nutrition and feeding, along with other sciences (reproduction, genetics, hygiene, management, etc.), play a major role in improving animal production. In this vein, it is unanimously accepted that animal nutrition and feeding do not create high- potential animals, but allow them reach their productive potential. It is unthinkable to breed, artificially select and genetically improve animals in inadequate feeding conditions; in the same way, the normal reproduction of animals relies, to a decisive extent, on a rational diet based on the latest scientific achievements.

The importance of nutrition in animal production is also highlighted by the weight of the cost of feed (over 50% of the costs of animal products). The attention that animal breeders pay to nutrition and feeding determines, to a large extent, the profitability of their livestock.

Animal feeding has a major influence on the quality of products of animal origin, and on the proximate composition of different components of the body (proteins, lipids, water), the sensory (colour, taste, smell) and biochemical-functional (such as the proportion of different fatty acids) properties and even on their technological qualities (in milk, meat, eggs, etc.).

Animals are biological transformers of dietary matter and energy into high-quality raw matters (meat, eggs, milk and honey) for human food, but also into raw materials (e.g., wool and leather) for human clothing and accessories. Thus, animal nutrition is a fundamental topic for all farm animal productions as well as for the health and wellbeing of companion animals.