ANSC Feeds Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The digestibility of a feed is primarily assessed by measuring the proportion of nutrients absorbed. This approach involves analyzing the feed composition and then evaluating how much of those nutrients are actually assimilated by the animal during digestion. Digestibility is crucial as it directly impacts the animal's ability to utilize the nutrients for growth, maintenance, reproduction, and overall health.

This assessment is often conducted through laboratory techniques that measure nutrient intake versus nutrient output in the feces. By determining the difference between what is consumed and what is excreted, researchers can quantify the efficiency of the feed in providing digestible nutrients. A high digestibility percentage indicates that a significant portion of the nutrients in the feed is being utilized by the animal, which tends to correlate positively with performance outcomes such as weight gain and milk production.

In contrast, tracking an animal's weight gain provides indirect insight into feed effectiveness but does not solely reflect feed digestibility. Evaluating feed texture and aroma pertains more to palatability and acceptance rather than digestibility. Similarly, comparing costs of feeds is primarily a financial consideration and does not offer relevant information about how well the feeds are digested or utilized by the animal. Thus, measuring nutrient absorption accurately reflects the digestibility of the feed, making it the most appropriate