Ruminant Feed

Definition of Ruminant Feed

Ruminant feed refers to the range of forages, crops, by-products, and formulated feeds designed to meet the nutritional needs of ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. It is specifically suited to their multi-chambered stomachs, supporting microbial fermentation in the rumen and enabling efficient digestion of fibrous plant material.

Ruminant feed plays a central role in animal health, productivity, feed efficiency, and environmental performance within livestock production systems.

Why Ruminant Feed Matters

Ruminant feed matters because nutrition directly influences animal performance, farm profitability, and sustainability outcomes. Its importance includes:

• Supporting growth, milk production, and reproduction

• Maintaining rumen function and digestive health

• Improving feed conversion efficiency

• Reducing disease risk and metabolic disorders

• Influencing greenhouse gas emissions through diet composition

• Optimising use of grasslands and crop residues

Well-balanced ruminant feed systems help farmers produce animal products efficiently while minimising environmental impacts.

Key Components of Ruminant Feed

• Forages – Grass, legumes, hay, silage, and pasture-based feeds

• Concentrates – Grains and protein-rich feeds to supplement forage

• Roughage – Fibre essential for rumen health and cud chewing

• Protein Sources – Oilseeds, legumes, and by-products

• Energy Sources – Carbohydrates and fats supporting production

• Minerals and Vitamins – Calcium, phosphorus, trace elements, and vitamins

• Feed Additives – Buffers, enzymes, probiotics, or methane-reducing supplements

Common Types of Ruminant Feed

• Grazed pasture

• Grass and maize silage

• Hay and haylage

• Cereal grains (e.g. barley, maize)

• Protein meals (e.g. soybean meal, rapeseed meal)

• Agricultural by-products (e.g. brewers’ grains, beet pulp)

Related Terms

• Ruminant

• Livestock Nutrition

• Animal Health

• Grazing Systems

• Feed Efficiency

• Sustainable Livestock

Useful Resources on Ruminant Feed

Explore these authoritative resources to learn more about ruminant nutrition, feed formulation, and sustainable feeding strategies:

• FAO – Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding – Global guidance on forage-based livestock systems.

• DEFRA – Livestock Feeding Standards (UK) – Policy and regulatory guidance on animal feed.

• AGRIS – Ruminant Nutrition Research Database – Scientific studies on feed efficiency and performance.

• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – Research on sustainable ruminant feeding systems.

• OECD – Livestock Feed and Sustainability – Policy analysis of feeding systems and environmental outcomes.

• The Society of Feed Technologists (SFT) - a forum open to those interested in the production and welfare of farmed livestock, to discuss common issues and developments.

• The British Association of Feed Supplement and Additive Manufacturers (BAFSAM) - a trade association representing manufacturers and processors of animal feed additives, speciality feed ingredients, premixtures and feed supplement products in the UK and Ireland.

• FEFAC - The voice of the European Compound Feed & Premix Industry.

• Mordor Intelligence - Global Ruminant Feed Market Size and Share.

• The International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF) - represents and promotes the global feed industry as an essential participant in the food chain that provides sustainable, safe, nutritious and affordable food for a growing world population.