This chapter discusses the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in hens. A dynamic model of Ca and P metabolism is also presented that could help in evaluating the effects of changes in the feeding management of laying hens.

The effect of feeding on the efficiency of phosphorus utilization by dairy cows, milk composition and P balance at the farm level is described. The efficiency of calcium utilization is also discussed.

This chapter discusses the production efficiency of ruminants, particularly cattle, in relation to feeds, nitrogen excretion and methane emission. Focus is given on the production efficiency of cattle, primarily that of dairy cattle, at the animal level. Improvements in production efficiency are...

An extant dynamic model of digestion and absorption of nutrients in cattle fed sugarcane was adapted for non-steady state feeding conditions. This modified model includes mechanisms of particle size reduction and delay in availability of particles and intracellular contents for microbial...

The aim of this chapter is to describe two key aspects in the supply of absorbed nutrients, i.e. the quantitative representation of protozoal metabolism, and the quantitative representation of volatile fatty acid production in the rumen.

This chapter discusses the possibility of applying more integrated approaches when evaluating nutritional strategies for dairy cows, simultaneously in detail and from several aspects. The different levels of aggregation that may be covered by models are shown. Primarily, the chapter handles the...

Discussions on the use of sugarcane, either as a whole plant or in the form of sugar processing byproduct, as a source of forage for cattle in Brazil are presented. Focus is given on the influence of sugarcane feeding on dairy cattle performance.

The objective of this chapter is to provide two complete teaching modules for MSc students of animal science (in Wageningen University, The Netherlands) with minimal background in modelling, but knowledge in animal nutrition at the BSc level. In working through the first module, students will...