Net energy (NE) in animal feeds represents energy remaining after maintenance needs are met. Which components does NE include?

• A. The energy remaining after maintenance needs are met, available for production (NE includes NEm and NEp)
• B. The total energy content of the feed
• C. Digestible energy available to the animal
• D. Metabolizable energy after absorption

Answer: (A)

Net energy is the portion of feed energy that remains after the animal’s maintenance requirements are satisfied, and it is the energy that can be used for productive processes like growth or milk production. This energy is divided into two parts: energy for maintenance (NEm) and energy available for production (NEp). Together, they make up the total net energy (NE = NEm + NEp). This distinguishes NE from gross energy (the total energy in the feed), digestible energy (energy after fecal losses), and metabolizable energy (energy after fecal, urinary, and gaseous losses but before accounting for heat production).