Applied Animal Nutrition-I

HAY STANDARD

• In 1810 German scientist Thaer, suggested that different feeds should be compared using meadow hay as a unit.
• He published the " HAY EQUIVALENT" as measure of relative value based on determining the materials in feeds extractable with water (and other solvents).
• This standard provided that 100 lbs. of meadow hay was equal in nutritive value to 91 lbs. of clover hay or 200 lbs. of potatoes, 625 lbs. of mangels.
• Nothing was known of the chemical value of these feeds and the physiological requirements of the animals.
• The only measure was the practical feeding experience.