Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

The amount of ammoniacal nitrogen in a feed multiplied by 6.25 determines what content in the feed?

1. Fiber content

2. Ash content

3. Crude protein

4. Moisture content

The correct answer is: Crude protein

The amount of ammoniacal nitrogen in a feed multiplied by 6.25 is a calculation used to determine the crude protein content in that feed. This formula originates from the understanding that proteins are made up of amino acids, which in turn contain nitrogen. The factor of 6.25 is derived from the average nitrogen content of proteins, which is approximately 16%. Since crude protein is expressed as a percentage of dry matter, this conversion factor helps in estimating the total protein content by providing a way to relate nitrogen content to protein levels. Thus, when the ammoniacal nitrogen – a specific type of nitrogen found in proteins – is quantified and then multiplied by 6.25, the resulting value gives an estimate of the total crude protein present in the feed. This is crucial for evaluating the nutritional value of animal feeds, as protein is essential for growth, maintenance, and overall health in livestock.