Abstract

Meat and eggs produced by swine and poultry in the United States contributes significantly toward meeting the nutritional requirements of the human population. The feed required to produce such a quantity of meat and eggs is considerable. Most poultry operations and some swine operations take place in intensive confinement operations. Most of the poultry production take place in vertically integrated operations. This system is not as common in the swine industry. Both swine and poultry are fed diets composed of grains such as corn or grain sorghum with soybean meal the primary protein source. Many human and industrial byproducts that would otherwise go unused are also incorporated into feed for nonruminants. Vitamins and trace minerals are added to ensure an adequate supply. Amino acids produced by fermentation or chemical synthesis are used to fortify diets, resulting in feeds with lower crude protein contnt. Nutrient requirements of swine and poultry are well reserched and nutrient composition of common ingredients has been determined. As ingredient prices change in relation to supply and demand, diet composition can be changed rapidly. There is no “best” feed composition. Animals thrive on diets composed of many different types of diets so long as the diets provide adequate levels of essential nutrients.