The factor that most limits livestock performance during a drought is energy intake. Dry stock can be maintained on diets that have protein levels as low as 6%, provided the energy level of the feed is adequate.

The best feed to use is the feed that gives the best value for money. To determine this, we must calculate the cost of the feed per unit of nutrient provided. When full handfeeding for maintenance, we need to calculate the cost per unit of metabolisable energy (ME).

This Primefact covers the following topics;

• What does ‘cheap’ really mean?
• Beware the so-called ‘cheap alternative’!
• Buying feeds on a ‘protein value’ basis
• Feed cost calculator