What does DE stand for in feed energy terminology?

• A. Direct Energy
• B. Daily Energy
• C. Developed Energy
• D. Digestible Energy

Answer: (D)

In feed energy terminology, the main idea is understanding what energy becomes available to the animal after digestion. Digestible Energy is the energy in the feed that is digested and absorbed by the animal’s body. It is calculated as gross energy minus fecal energy, so it accounts for the energy lost in undigested waste. This tells you how much energy can potentially be used for metabolism after intestinal losses, though some of that energy will still be lost as urine, gases, or as heat, which are accounted for in later measures like metabolizable energy and net energy. The term Digestible Energy is the standard, correct designation for DE. The other phrases—Direct Energy, Daily Energy, Developed Energy—are not used in this context.