How Do We Measure Protein?

We use nitrogen to measure protein in feed.

Animal feed is made of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Protein is made of out of amino acids, which are made out of nitrogen (N), carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

If we measure the amount of N, we can then estimate the amount of protein in feed.

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Zoom-in animation with simple pie graph divisions for nutrients
A zoom in of the animation showing a cow taking in nutrients from feed. Their feed contains nutrients and protein, and that protein contains nitrogen and other elements.