A global, online encyclopedia of animal feeds exists at Feedipedia.com.
The site is a collaborative effort between four global entities tied to agricultural research, education, and development, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Feedipedia is an open-access information system on animal feed resources that provides information on the nature, occurrence, chemical composition, nutritional value, and safe use of nearly 1,400 worldwide livestock feeds.
Datasheets for feeds on the site include:
- Feed names, including vernacular and scientific names
- Description of the plants or plant parts/products used as feed
- Feeding recommendations for the main livestock species: cattle, sheep, goats, camels, poultry, pigs, rabbits, horses, fish and crustaceans
- Tables of composition and nutritive value
- Illustrations, including photos and processing charts
- Distribution and basic agronomic information
- Forage management
- Processes for improving nutritional value
- Potential constraints such as presence of anti-nutritional and toxic factors
- Environmental impact of the production and use of feeds
In many emerging and developing countries, protein consumption and food animal production are growing. Livestock producers and their advisors need accurate nutrition information on feed resources to formulate balanced rations. In these regions of the world, feed resources available locally often are under-utilized due to lack of information.
In more developed regions like North America and Europe, feed information is more readily available. Feedipedia takes it to a global level by regularly merging, analyzing, and summarizing that information into a worldwide compendium of up-to-date information on feed resources, available for free use by any interested party.
And as feed prices currently challenge U.S. livestock producers, Feedipedia can be a resource for incorporating non-traditional feedstuffs into innovative rations.
