Forage

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Forage

Forage (/ˈfɔːrɪdʒ/, from French fourrage, derived from feuiller - to leaf through) is a term used in medicine and veterinary science to refer to food consumed by grazing animals, such as cattle, sheep, and horses. It primarily consists of plant material, including leaves, stems, and other parts of plants.

Etymology

The term 'forage' originates from the French word fourrage, which is derived from feuiller, meaning 'to leaf through'. This refers to the action of animals grazing or searching for food.

Usage in Medicine

In the field of veterinary medicine, forage plays a crucial role in the diet of grazing animals. The quality and quantity of forage can significantly impact the health and productivity of these animals. For instance, forage with high nutritional value can enhance the growth, reproduction, and milk production in cattle.

In human medicine, the concept of foraging is often used metaphorically to describe the search for resources, such as in the context of public health where individuals may 'forage' for healthcare services.

Related Terms

  • Grazing: The act of consuming forage by livestock.
  • Pasture: Land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals.
  • Hay: Dried grass or other plants, used as forage for livestock.
  • Silage: Fermented, high-moisture stored fodder which can be fed to cattle, sheep and other such ruminants.
  • Fodder: Food, especially dried hay or feed, for cattle and other livestock.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski