When might a nutritionist choose to use an as-fed basis over dry matter?

A nutritionist might choose to use an as-fed basis over dry matter when analyzing fresh feeds because fresh feeds, such as fruits and vegetables or forages, contain significant water content that can greatly influence their nutritional value. The as-fed basis reflects the feed's actual composition as it is presented, which includes all water content. This is particularly important for fresh feeds, as their moisture content can vary widely depending on harvesting conditions, storage, and time since harvest, thus impacting the nutrient concentration and overall digestibility of the ration being formulated.

Using the as-fed basis in this context allows for a more accurate representation of the feed's nutritional contribution in practical feeding scenarios, enabling better decisions regarding ration formulation to meet the animals’ dietary requirements. In contrast, dry matter is typically used for consistency in feeds where water content is negligible or controlled, such as in dried or processed feeds.