Final answer:
To convert from dry matter to as-fed basis, multiply the dry matter nutrient concentration by the dry matter content of the feed. Nutrient density and dimensional analysis are key concepts in these conversions, which can apply to both feed nutrient conversions and chemical substance conversions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conversion from Dry Matter to As-Fed Basis
To convert nutrient amounts from a dry matter basis to an as-fed basis, you'll need the dry matter content of the feed. This is typically done by subtracting the moisture content from 100%. For example, if a feed has 10% moisture, it has 90% dry matter content. To convert a nutrient concentration from dry matter to as-fed, you would multiply the concentration by the percentage of dry matter (in decimal form). Suppose you have a nutrient that is 20% on a dry matter basis, and the feed's dry matter content is 90%. The as-fed concentration is obtained by multiplying 20% by 0.90, equating to 18% as-fed concentration.
Nutrient density is understood similarly but relates to how much nutrient a food provides relative to its mass or the number of calories it contains.
When performing conversions for chemical substances (referred to as mole-mass calculations), the principles remain the same, but the units and conversion factors may vary. Units used must adhere to dimensional analysis, ensuring that you can cancel out and convert appropriately. This could involve atomic mass, formula mass, or molar mass, depending on the substance.
Conversions of Nutrient Concentrations
To switch from as-fed concentrations of nutrients to dry matter concentrations, you simply reverse the process, dividing the as-fed concentration by the dry matter percentage. Again, using dimensional analysis and the correct conversion factors is essential to ensure accurate conversions.