Feed and Agriculture

Many species of mminants exist worldwide (1). The feeds and feed additives common to U.S. agriculture for the nutrition and management of domesticated mminant animals, ie, catde, sheep, and goats, are discussed hereia. 

Feeding standards, which have been instituted nationally, indicate the amount of the essential amino acids (together with other nutrients) for the rational breeding of domestic animals. The feeding standards of the National Research Council (NRC) of the United States and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of the United Kingdom are well known (the former indicates the minimal amount and the latter shows the recommended amount). 

Veterinary Applications. Another use for antibiotics is for veterinary appHcations and for animal feed supplements to promote growth in Hvestock (see Feeds and feed additives). Feed antibiotics used in the United States far surpass all other agricultural appHcations in terms of kilogram quantities used and approach quantities used in human medicines (25). In 1980 the USA feed antibiotic usage was estimated to be between five and six million kg. The U.S. Council of Agricultural Science and Technology estimates that feed additives save the U.S. consumer approximately 3500 million per year in meat prices, and antibiotic use accounts for most of this. 

Agriculture. Most forages provide insufficient sodium for animal feeding and may lack adequate chloride. Thus salt supplementation is a critical part of a nutritionally balanced diet for animals. In addition, because animals have a definite appetite for salt, it can be used as a deflvery mechanism to ensure adequate intake of less palatable nutrients and as a feed limiter. Salt is an excellent carrier for trace minerals. Salt, either in loose form or as compressed blocks, can be mixed with feed or fed free-choice to improve animal health and productivity (see Feeds and feed additives). 

Most of the thiamine sold worldwide is used for dietary supplements. Primary market areas include the following appHcations addition to feed formulations, eg, poultry, pigs, catde, and fish (see Feeds and feed additives) fortification of refined foods, eg, flours, rice, and cereal products and incorporation into multivitamins. Small amounts are used in medicine to treat deficiency diseases and other conditions, in agriculture as an additive to ferti1i2ers (qv), and in foods as flavorings. Generally for dry formulations, the less soluble, nonhygroscopic nitrate is preferred. Only the hydrochloride can be used for intravenous purposes. Coated thiamine is used where flavor is a factor. 

The commercial uses of arsenic compounds in 1988, measured in terms of elemental arsenic, are wood (qv) preservatives, 69% agricultural products (herbicides (qv) and desiccants (qv)), 23% glass (qv), 4% nonferrous alloys and electronics, 2% and animal feed additives and pharmaceuticals (qv), 2% (see Feeds AND feed additives). Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) [11125-95-4] is the most widely used arsenic-based wood preservative. The Environmental Protection Agency has, however, restricted the use of arsenical wood preservatives to certified appHcators. 

Agriculture ndNutrition. Cobalt salts, soluble in water or stomach acid, are added to soils and animal feeds to correct cobalt deficiencies. In soil apphcation the cobalt is readily assimilated into the plants and subsequendy made available to the animals (56). Plants do not seem to be affected by the cobalt uptake from the soil. Cobalt salts are also added to salt blocks or pellets (see Feeds and feed additives). 

Bacteria, yeast and algae are produced in massive quantities of protein sources as food for animals and humans.1 SCP is considered a major source of feed for animals. The production of valuable biological products from industrial and agricultural wastes is considered through the bioconversion of solid wastes to added-value fermented product, which is easily marketable as animal feedstock. The waste streams that otherwise would cause pollution and threaten the environment can be considered raw material for CSP production using suitable strains of microorganisms. 

Thermoformed products are used in various outdoor and commercial applications which require tough products that have a large surface area. Typically, these products do not have close dimensional tolerances. Such applications include ornamental pool liners, dumpster lids, panels for portable sanitation facilities, and agricultural feed troughs. These products, which are not required in very large numbers, could not be produced economically by other molding processes,... 

FAO (2004), World wide regulations for mycotoxins in food and feed in 2003 , Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. 

Custer, T.W. and C.A. Mitchell. 1991. Contaminant exposure of willets feeding in agricultural drainages of the lower Rio Grande valley of south Texas. Environ. Monitor. Assess. 16 189-200. 

California Department of Food, Agricuelture (Cal-DFA) (1986) Pesticide use American report of food and agriculture, agriculture chemicals and feed, Sacramento, California,... 

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