March Rural Dictionary: Ration

Posted: 3/13/2018

March is National Nutrition month, and on the farm we want to make sure both the farmers and the animals are getting proper nutrition to stay healthy. Your household might have a menu or meal plan, but animals have a carefully balanced RATION. 

Ration - A farm animal's diet, balanced by a nutritionist. Each animal species has different nutritional requirements, and each animal has different nutritional needs according to their age. Farmers work with a livestock nutritionist to create a balanced diet using the feed they have purchased or grown. Each feed ingredient is tested for nutritional value, then the nutritionist will create a recipe or ration for the farmer to follow. The ration includes all the vitamins, minerals, and energy the livestock need to grow and stay healthy.