Analysis of Nutrients and Feed Value of Forages Harvested in the Regions of the Vologda District

The research is devoted to the study of the quality of feeds harvested in the Vologda District. Laboratory data have been analyzed to get a complete overview of the nutritional value of feeds in the regions of the Vologda District. The main objective of zootechnical analysis was to establish the exact amount of nutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates), minerals and biologically active agents in the samples under study. The aim of the study was to establish the differences in the nutrient content of bulk feeds harvested in different geographical locations of the district and to identify possible deviations in the feed value. The analyzed feeds showed significant variation in their main quality indicators. The protein content ranged from 7.81% to 16.33%, indicating significant differences in nutritional value. The fiber content also varied widely – from 20.86% to 29.40%. The energy value of the feeds, expressed as metabolic energy (ME), ranged from 8.77 to 11.20 MJ/kg. The net energy for lactation (NEL), an important indicator for feeds intended for lactating animals, ranged from 4.07 to 5.20 MJ/kg. Despite the differences in the content of major nutrients, all feed samples demonstrated high quality, as their relative feed value (RFV) in all cases exceeded 100%. This indicates that the feeds are well digestible and provide animals with the necessary nutrients.