Feed

Introduction
Basic nutrients and additives
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates and fats
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Antibiotics and other growth stimulants
Composition and valuation of feeds
- Determination
- Optimization of nutrient-cost ratio
Basic types of feeds
- Concentrate foods
  - Cereal grains and their by-products
  - High-protein meals
  - By-products of sugar beets and sugarcane
  - Other by-product feeds
- Roughages
  - Pasture
  - Hay
  - Silage
  - Root crops
  - Straw and hulls

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

A row of cattle with brown and black coats eat feed from a long trough in a South African feedlot, separated by wooden fencing.

At a Glance

feed summary

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Technology Agriculture & Agricultural Technology

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External Websites

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Contaminants and Toxins in Animal Feeds

Feed

agriculture

Also known as: animal feed

Written by

John K. Loosli

Emeritus professor of animal nutrition, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Visiting professor of animal science, University of Florida, Gainesville. Coauthor of Animal Nutrition.

John K. LoosliAll

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Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 4, 2026 •History

Feed, food grown or developed for livestock and poultry. Modern feeds are produced by carefully selecting and blending ingredients to provide highly nutritional diets that both maintain the health of the animals and increase the quality of such end products as meat, milk, or eggs. Ongoing improvements in animal diets have resulted from research, experimentation, and chemical analysis by agricultural scientists. Animals in general require the same nutrients as humans. Some feeds, such as pasture...

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