What Are Animal Feeds?
Animal feed comprises all the food material given to animals that are bred for commercial purposes. Cows, pigs, horses, hen, and sheep are some animals who rely heavily on animal feed to fill their bellies. Animal feed is the only source of nutrition for these domesticated animals who are reared in relatively confined and controlled spaces.
Animal feed can be of two types:
- Fodder: Fodder is commercially prepared animal feed consisting of hay, straw, food grains, oils and sometimes food scraps. Byproducts left after processing food in industries are excellent ingredients of animal fodder. Often, premixes are produced keeping in mind specific requirements of specific animals. Compound feeds are artificially produced animal feed administered with all the essential nutrients.
- Forage: Forage is grass, leaves, hay and plants that animals eat directly off the ground. Animals consume forage in its natural form without any processing. Forage is also used extensively to prepare fodder.
The primary difference between forage and fodder is that the latter is fortified with vitamins, phosphorus, iron, calcium, probiotics and other nutrients required for proper growth of animals. One of the important elements in fortified animal feed is dicalcium phosphate for cattle.
Why is Dicalcium Phosphate Important For Animals?
Dicalcium phosphate is a chemical compound of phosphorus and calcium. It is mixed with animal feed in a specific proportion depending on its desired effect, weight of the animal, and the health condition of the animal. The compound is aimed at enhancing the physical growth of the animal by enhancing muscle and bone growth. It is also helpful in improving digestion and the capacity to absorb adequate nutrition in animals.
How Is Dicalcium Phosphate Made Suitable For Animal Consumption?
Dicalcium phosphate rock base feed grade suppliers in India sell their product to animal feed manufacturers who give it the required finishing touch. The rock is treated with chemical solutions of various acids and other compounds to remove impurities from it. Any chemical elements that may be harmful for animal ingestion are removed from the resultant precipitate before it is fed to poultry animals.
Dicalcium phosphate is used for several other purposes than fortifying animal feed. It is advisable to contact dicalcium phosphate rock base suppliers in India before making a purchase order to confirm whether their product is suitable for animals.
Every step of animal feed manufacturing right from raw material procurement to storage of finished goods is controlled by regulatory guidelines. This action ensures that the products are hygienically and quality wise superior. Random check ups and quality control tests are performed on the raw materials used in producing animal feed. Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP) – Minerals and Organics suppliers in India should check their raw materials regularly for quality and chemical content.