Common feed values
Article printed September 16, 2024. For the latest version, please go to: https://www.feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au/2019/05/02/useful-tables/
Cattle
| IMPORTANT – Note the difference in approximate dry matter (DM) % (ME) Metabolisable energy (MJ/kg DM) | Approximate dry matter (DM) % | Energy MJ ME/kg DM | Crude protein % dry matter | |||
| When fed whole to cattle | When fed rolled or coarsely milled to cattle | |||||
| Average | Average | Range | Average | Range | ||
| Wheat | 90 | 9 | 13 | 12-15 | 12 | 8-23 |
| Barley | 90 | 8.4 | 13 | 11-13 | 11 | 6-17 |
| Triticale | 90 | 10.4 | 13 | 12-15 | 12 | 9-15 |
| Oats | 90 | 10 | 11 | 9-13 | 9 | 6-12 |
| Lupins | 90 | 11 | 13 | 12-1 | 30 | 26-40 |
| Peas | 90 | 11 | 13 | 10-13 | 23 | 18-29 |
| Maize | 90 | 13 | 13.5 | 12-14 | 9 | 8-13 |
| Safflower seeds | 90 | 13 | 7-12 | 25 | 20-37 | |
| Rice (dehulled) | 90 | 12 | 11-14 | 7 | 7-9 | |
| Rye | 90 | 14 | 11 | |||
| Sorghum | 90 | 10 | 13 | 11 | ||
| Pellets | 90 | N/A | 12 | 10-14 | 12 | 11-16 |
WARNING: As can be seen from the table, foods vary considerably in nutritional value depending on growing conditions, stage of harvesting and storage conditions. The only way to be sure of the nutritional value of a particular batch of food is to have it tested for energy, protein, fibre and dry matter
Sheep
| Feed Type | Energy (megajoules/kg DM) | Protein (% Crude Protein) | ||
| Average | Common Range | Average | Common Range | |
| Wheat, Triticale | 13 | 12-15 | 12 | 8-23 |
| Barley | 13 | 11-13 | 11 | 6-17 |
| Maize | 13 | 12-14 | 9 | 8-13 |
| Lupins | 13 | 12-14 | 30 | 26-40 |
| Peas | 13 | 10-13 | 23 | 18-29 |
| Faba Beans | 12 | 10-13 | 25 | 18-29 |
| Oats | 11 | 9-13 | 9 | 6-12 |
| Sheep pellets (brands vary) | 10 | 6-13 | 12 | 4-21 |
| Lucerne hay | 8.5 | 7-9 | 20 | 16-25 |
| Clover hay (early) | 8.5 | 7-9.5 | 18 | 15-20 |
| Pasture hay (mid-season) | 7 | 6-7 | 11 | 8-16 |
| Oaten hay | 7 | 6-8 | 8 | 5-10 |
| Grass hay | 6 | 5-7 | 8 | 5-10 |
| Cereal straw | 5 | 4-8 | 4 | 2-5 |
