There are a range of stock feed supplements available to livestock producers including:
- traditional feedlot meals and pellets
- loose licks and lick blocks
- fortifiers and liquid supplements.
Knowing and understanding the key nutritional information to look for on the feed product label will ensure you choose the most economical option.
Locating the nutritional information on stock feed
Any manufactured stock feed product is required to provide a nutritional analysis.
Typically for products that can be handled manually the product labels are printed or attached to the back of the bag, carton, container or box.
For large bulk loads the nutritional analysis is available as its own document that can be handed or sent to you. It is recommended that you always ask for a copy if you are unsure.
Understanding nutritional composition
Example stock feed product nutritional analysis
| Component | Unit | As Fed | Dry Matter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Matter | % | 60.00 | 100.00 |
| Protein | % (Min) | 23.50 | 39.00 |
| Equiv. CP | % (Max) | 22.00 | 36.50 |
| Urea | % | 6.00 | 10.00 |
| Calcium | % | 1.20 | 2.00 |
| Phosphorus | % (Min) | 0.80 | 1.30 |
| Sulphur | % (Min) | 0.60 | 1.00 |
| Salt | % | 11.00 | 18.50 |
| Vitamin A | iu/kg | 67,000 | 111,500 |
| Vitamin D3 | iu/kg | 8,000 | 13,300 |
| Vitamin E | mg/kg | 250.00 | 416.50 |
| Iron | mg/kg | 100.00 | 166.50 |
| Iodine | mg/kg | 5.00 | 8.30 |
| Cobalt | mg/kg | 5.00 | 8.30 |
| Copper | mg/kg | 40.00 | 66.50 |
| Manganese | mg/kg | 400.00 | 666.50 |
| Selenium | mg/kg | 2.00 | 3.30 |
| Zinc | mg/kg | 400.00 | 666.50 |
Dry matter percentage
The Dry Matter percentage (DM%) of a feed product is the amount of feed with all the water or moisture removed. The nutrients such as the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals are all contained in the dry matter portion of the feed.
For example, Manufactured Liquid Protein supplements are typically 60% dry matter. This means that for every 1kg of supplement, 0.6kg is dry matter and 0.4kg is water.
Water, whilst essential for livestock offers no nutritional benefit as far as nutrients, therefore when purchasing a feed consider the DM% to determine the amount of nutrients being purchased vs the amount of moisture (water). Just about every feed product will contain some moisture.
‘As Fed’ or ‘Dry Matter’ basis
The nutritional analysis of a stock feed product can be presented on the label as an ‘as fed’ (AF) or ‘dry matter’ (DM) basis.
‘As fed’ analysis is a measure of the nutrients contained in the entire feed product including the moisture component.
‘Dry matter’ analysis is a measure of the nutrients contained in the dry matter portion of the feed only.
An example using the liquid protein supplement from the previous page:
On an ‘as fed’ basis the analysis reads 23.5% Protein. This means that for each 1kg of supplement 23.5% (0.235kg) is protein.
On a ‘dry matter’ basis it reads 39% Protein. This is because of the influence the water or moisture component is having on the feed. Remember it is 60% DM, so for every 1kg of supplement, 0.6kg is dry matter and 0.4kg is water.
The ‘as fed’ analysis for protein appears lower but that is because it is calculated including the water component
(0.235kg protein / 1kg X 100 = 23.5%)
The ‘dry matter’ analysis for protein appears higher in this case because it is calculated as a percentage of the dry matter component of the feed
(0.235kg protein / 0.6kg dry matter in the feed x 100 = 39%).
When selecting between different options ensure you are comparing both products on the same basis either an ‘as fed’ or ‘dry matter basis’.
When a product label has no wording to signify what basis the analysis has been recorded on, this usually means it’s on an ‘as fed’ basis.
Energy
The measure of energy in a cattle supplement is usually presented as Energy ME with the ME referring to Metabolisable Energy.
The units of measure are MJ/kg (Megajoules per kilogram).
If the analysis is on a ‘dry matter’ basis the units will read MJ/kg/DM (Megajoules per kilogram of dry matter)
Protein
Look for one of these terms first Protein, Total Protein or Total Crude Protein this is because depending on the product and the manufacturer one of these 3 terms will be used to show the total percentage (%) of protein in the feed. That is the sum of Crude Protein and Equivalent Crude Protein.
Crude Protein is the true protein that has been provided by plant sources such as grains or meals.
Equivalent Crude Protein is the amount of crude protein that has been provided to the feed from using a nitrogen source such as urea.
The amount of equivalent crude protein provided from urea or other nitrogen sources is calculated by multiplying the nitrogen percentage by 6.25. Urea is 46% nitrogen X 6.25 = 287.5% crude protein equivalent.
If a feed contains 2% urea its contribution to the equivalent crude protein is 5.75% (287.5 x 2%).
Urea (%)
This is the percentage of urea contained in the feed.
Fibre (%)
Fibre is usually only presented in the analysis for products that contain predominantly plant based materials. Fibre comes from the structural parts of a plant such as the lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose.
Fibre is important for rumen function. Depending on other components of a cow’s diet such as pasture conditions, you may require a supplement that increases or reduces fibre.
Beef cattle grazing tropical pastures usually have enough fibre in their diet which is provided from the pasture alone.
Calcium (Ca) (%)
Measured as a percentage and is used to balance phosphorus (P) from 1Ca:1P for maintenance to 2Ca:1P for higher growth.
Calcium is required by cattle for bone formation, muscle action, milk production and general body processes.
There are low levels of calcium in grains and all grasses as they mature.
Depending on other components of the diet, class of animal and level of production you may require a supplement with additional calcium.
Phosphorus (P) (%)
Measured as a percentage and is a very important ingredient if your country is P deficient.
Phosphorus is needed for bone formation, milk production, energy metabolism and general bodily processes.
Sulphur (S) (%)
Sulphur is measured as a percentage and is required by rumen microbes to use with nitrogen to make protein. Rumen microbes require sulphur and nitrogen in the ratio of 1S:10N. Sulphur is NOT required when cattle are fed Molasses based products as Molasses is naturally high in sulphur.
Salt (sodium Na) (%)
Salt is measured as a percentage and will sometimes be listed on a label as sodium. Depending on the feed product salt can be added for two reasons:
- In high grain diets salt is added to prevent a salt deficiency from occurring, especially if cattle still have access to tropical pastures at the same time.
- In loose licks or lick blocks salt is generally added at much higher percentages than grain diets and this is to help control supplement intake. The higher the salt content the less cattle will eat, but only after any salt cravings have been addressed.
Some high urea based lick products suggest feeding plain salt prior to introducing the supplement to ensure salt cravings are satisfied as sodium deficient cattle will find the salt an attractant and may over eat the mixed supplement.
Magnesium (Mg) (%)
Magnesium is measured as a percentage and is usually only listed on magnesium based supplements but on occasions some feed products will list it as part of the formulation.
Low levels of magnesium interferes with calcium absorption and can occur when cattle graze very lush pastures but this usually isn’t very common on the North Coast.
Potassium (K) (%)
Measured as a percentage of the feed and is seldom presented on most feed product labels with the exception of mineral supplement products.
A deficiency in potassium should not occur in grazing cattle as they obtain enough potassium from the pasture. Rather excessive potassium in the diet can cause milk fever.
Use of potassium fertilisers on pastures has removed much of the need for potassium supplements to grazing cattle. Avoid high potassium supplements when cattle are grazing pastures fertilised with potassium based products.
Cows only require 0.80% potassium in their daily dry matter intake.
Microminerals
Microminerals are only needed by beef cattle in very small amounts hence the term ‘micro’. On occasions these minerals may be required if there is a diagnosed deficiency and supplementation is likely to be cost effective. However because these minerals are needed in such low amounts it’s very easy to provide excessive amounts which can be toxic.
Consult your herd veterinarian if you suspect a mineral deficiency prior to supplementing.
When presented on feed product labels the units of measurement are typically mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram)
Important microminerals
| Mineral | Benefits and deficiency signs |
|---|---|
| Copper | Needed for enzymes that control energy metabolism, pigmentation, and blood formation. Deficiency signs: weight loss, diarrhea, pale rough coat, infertility. High molybdenum levels can cause copper deficiency. |
| Selenium | Protects cell membranes from oxidation damage and supports immune system function. Often linked with vitamin E deficiency. Deficiency signs: poor reproduction, retained placenta, mastitis, general ill thrift. |
| Cobalt | Essential for rumen microbes to synthesize vitamin B12, which is needed for glucose production. Cattle do not store cobalt, so a steady supply is required. Adequate cobalt is present in most Australian pastures. |
| Iodine | Found in thyroid hormones that regulate energy, metabolism, growth, development, and skin/hair formation. |
| Iron | Key component of haemoglobin and supports immune system function. Deficiencies are rare in grazing cattle as feed sources are generally adequate. |
| Manganese | Involved in fat and protein synthesis, brain metabolism, and various enzyme systems. Adequate in pastures, but lower levels occur in grain diets (maize grain lowest). |
| Molybdenum | Required for enzyme xanthine oxidase function; very high or low levels affect copper metabolism. Excess molybdenum can cause copper deficiency (weight loss, diarrhoea, pale coat). |
| Zinc | Activates 30 enzymes and enhances reproductive hormone action. Deficiency signs: reduced feed intake, poor feed efficiency, stiff joints, cystic ovaries. |
Vitamins
Vitamins are most commonly presented on stock feed product labels using the units’ iu/kg which stands for international units per kilogram.
For beef cattle grazing green pasture, vitamin supplements offer virtually no benefit because cattle can access these from the green feed.
When pasture is limited or unavailable e.g. feed lot situations, vitamins must be added to the diet.
The most common vitamins required in the diet of cattle are the Fat soluble vitamins A, D and E and the Water soluble vitamins B1, B3, B12.
Some feed products promote the inclusion of Biotin and Folic Acid, these are not required to be provided as part of the diet for cattle.
Important vitamins
| Vitamin | Functions and notes |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Numerous functions, including maintenance of the skin and other tissues and prevention of night blindness. |
| Vitamin D | Helps calcium metabolism. |
| Vitamin E | Similar role to selenium; helps the immune system and muscle formation. |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | Can be synthesised in the rumen; important for cellular metabolism. |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Key part of metabolism; helps process fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. |
| Vitamin B12 | Interacts with cobalt and is essential for the production of propionic acid, which is the precursor of glucose. May be required when there is insufficient pasture for cattle to graze. |
Medication or rumen modifiers and buffers
The most common terms you may see on cattle feed product labels that relate to either medications or rumen modifiers or buffers are outlined below.
Quantities of rumen modifiers or buffers are presented in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) on feed product labels.
Common rumen modifiers and buffers
| Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Monensin Sodium (Rumensin®) | A rumen modifier that improves the efficiency of fermentation within the rumen and can assist in reducing acidosis and controlling coccidiosis. Toxic to horses and dogs. |
| Flavophospholipol (Flaveco®, Flavomycin®) | Another rumen modifier that improves the efficiency of fermentation for feed within the rumen. |
| Sodium Bentonite | High-swelling natural clay that helps buffer the rumen from some dietary toxins and pH changes. Common in pelletised rations as it has great binding capabilities. |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | A rumen buffering agent that assists in controlling rumen pH and helps prevent acidosis. Can also be used to provide a source of salt to the diet. |
With-holding period (W)P
Some feed products depending on their ingredients, will have a WHP statement listed on the label. It is usually because the feed product contains a medication or an ingredient that may require a length of time to pass between the time the cattle were fed the feed before they can be milked or processed for human consumption.
Restricted animal material (RAM)
Stock feed products manufactured for cattle and other ruminant animals will have written on the bag, container or label, “This product does not contain restricted animal material.”

This means that there are no ingredients used in the making of the feed product that have come from animal tissues and therefore it is safe and can legally be fed to ruminants such as cattle.
If a feed product indicates that a feed contains RAM you must prevent ruminant animals from eating it.
These products will clearly state on the bag, container or label: “This product contains restricted animal material do not feed to cattle, sheep, goats, deer or any other ruminants.”

Many poultry, pig and dog feeds are still manufactured with RAM products included which is allowable for these animal species.
It is worthwhile checking all poultry and pig feeds for RAM so you are aware and can ensure that no ruminant species can access any of these feed products. Especially on small farms which often feed multiple animal species in close proximity. In this instance it would be safer to exclude ruminant animals from areas where poultry or pig feeds are fed out, or ensure that poultry and pig feeds purchased also do not contain RAM.
Directions for use
Depending on the feed product there will often be directions for how to safely feed it. Ensure you read and understand these directions prior to feeding any stock feed supplement and if you still aren’t sure ask the supplier or your advisor.
Directions for use often state how to introduce the feed, feeding rates, protection required of the feed from weather particularly for urea-based supplements and any possible health concerns to be aware of.
There can often be instructions that say that the product is only suitable to be fed to cattle. This can be presented in wording such as: “Feed only to cattle”.

The reason for this is often to do with the formulation of the feed product. In particular the rates of minerals or medications included in the product are included at a level which is only suitable and safe for cattle.
These rates or products can be toxic to animals of other species if they consume the feed.
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