Feed comprises the single largest cost of livestock farming, particularly milk and beef production. The price of feed has drastically increased within the last few years to an extent some farmers find it difficult to provide cows with the recommended feedstuff. Consequentially, meat and milk production tends be low. As such, farmers with readily available feedstuff such as peanuts are economically advantaged as they are able to reach maximum production on a limited budget. As a matter of fact, numerous agricultural research studies have proven that cows can feed on peanuts without any negative effects on health. Instead, peanuts are said to improve on growth and development, health, reproduction as we all reproduction.
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Nutritional Value
Peanuts are not only suitable for human diets; other animal species including cows can feed on peanuts in order to absorb essential nutrients and minerals needed for the operation of daily bodily functions. As a matter of fact, peanuts contain sufficient amount of proteins that are necessary for development, production and reproduction. The upside of using peanuts is that while protein feeds are very expensive, they are fairly cheap and readily available in most parts of the world. Cows can eat peanuts to get nutrients such as energy, protein and micro minerals including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, sulphur, copper, zinc, manganese and iron among others. According to research studies, whole peanuts with a shell weight of approximately 10 to 20% are normally made up of 6 to 8% moisture, 22 to 26% crude protein as well as 36 to 44% oil. Field observations reveal that cows can eat peanuts quite easily as they are palatable to livestock. Although cows can eat peanuts without experiencing any negative effect of production, peanuts are feed supplements therefore should not be used as dietary replacements.
Peanuts Supplements for Physiological Development
Protein is considered as the most important nutrient for growing livestock. It is the standard to which all feedstuff stuff are measured. As such, since peanuts are a rich source of protein, they are recommended for cows that are yet to mature. Cows can feed on peanuts for development purposes, particularly for teeth and bone development as well as their overall growth. Cows with dietary plans consisting of an adequate protein composition generally perform better than their counterparts. They tend to reach the ideal slaughter weight timeously and so are highly profitable. Additionally, cows can eat peanuts to get enough trace minerals needed by the body. Although deficiencies in these micro minerals take time to manifest, they eventually cause a number of health related issues which can affect the profitability and success of the agricultural venture.
Peanuts Supplements for Milk Production
Dairy cows can feed on peanuts without experiencing any negative effects on milk production. This is because peanuts contain necessary proteins needed for improved milk production. Studies indicate that protein is among the most essential nutrients in the production of milk. Forage which makes up a significant part of animal dietary plans is often lacking in protein. For this reason, cows provided with peanuts are able to maintain higher production levels in comparison to those eating only forage. Not only is production improved but quality is enhanced as well. To add on, the availability of adequate trace minerals allows for long term increased milk yields thus increased profits.
Peanuts Supplements for Health Maintenance
Feed is regarded as the most aspect of maintaining animal health especially with the ban of antibiotics. As such, cows can eat peanuts for health sustenance. As mentioned several times, peanuts are a rich source of nutrients necessary for maintaining healthy livestock. Peanuts help to achieve well-balanced dietary plans that are needed to boost the immune system thereby giving cows some form resistance against rampant diseases. A well-balanced dietary plan containing sufficient trace elements is also of the essence in fighting free radicals that cause oxidation. For this reason, cows can eat peanuts to prevent the occurrence of oxidative stress that adversely impacts on the quality of the produce. Resultantly, through the use of peanuts supplements, cows are able to produce milk and meat with superior nutritional value.
Can Cows Eat Peanut Butter?
Since cows can eat peanuts, it is only natural to consider whether they can also feed on peanut butter. For most farmers, peanut butter is a readily available commodity as excess is often left from its production and sale. It therefore seems to be a wise consideration to supplement expensive protein diets with peanut butter. Research shows that cows can eat peanut butter. As matter of fact, some livestock feed producers develop peanut butter supplements that are primarily meant for cattle. This basically serves as proof that cows can feed on peanuts as well as peanut butter. Nonetheless, despite the fact that peanut butter is a good protein source for cows, it is lacking in some minerals and contains a lot of fat. Providing cows with excess peanut butter is therefore said to result in soft fat throughout the carcass. Also, an overdose of protein may lead to loose stool for about a week or two thereby possibly causing weight loss. That being said, it is thus very important for farmers to make sure that they strictly adhere to the recommended guidelines. Experts state that peanut butter should be given at rations of about 1 ½ pounds daily. Some farmers prefer to combine it with older hay as a means of making it more palatable for consumption.
What Human Food Can Cows Eat?
Cows can feed on peanuts, peanut butter as well as many other foods primarily meant for humans. An important factor to be aware of is that their dietary systems are not designed to digest human food and so excess feeding may cause a number of health related issues. On the same note, it is advisable for farmers to gradually introduce cows to such feeds in order to prevent digestive issues. Cow can eat fruits and vegetables including apples, watermelon, molasses, celery, carrots, bananas, rice, oats, corn, zucchini and oranges among many other human foods. Another point to note is that appropriate rations differ and so ranchers should have sufficient knowledge on the type of feed available.
