A REVIEW OF PROTEIN-ENERGY RELATIONSHIPS IN RUMINANT ANIMAL NUTRITION

Abstract

The principal aim of animal production is the production of high quality protein products in the form of meat, milk and eggs for human consumption and by-products such as hides and skin, wool, fur, hoofs, horns and manure. The production of these products require large quantities of protein and energy , thus a good understanding of the relationships between the energy requirement and protein production, metabolism in ruminant nutrition and the influence of animal related environmental factors is an important prerequisite for improving efficiency of production. Consequently various relationships or interactions between protein and energy as elucidated by various researchers were collated and reviewed. Further research in the tropics especially those that are very practicable and could be easily applied by farmers was recommended