Farm Feed Nutrient Guidelines
Nutritional standards provide South Africa’s feed industry with a trusted framework grounded in science and adapted to local realities. Developed in collaboration with leading animal nutritionists, these standards define minimum and maximum nutrient levels essential for animal health, productivity, and food safety – while ensuring compliance with Act 36/1947.
Why These Guidelines Matter
Over the past decade, AFMA has worked with more than 60 experts to update outdated nutrient levels that no longer matched the needs of modern farming systems and animals with higher genetic potential.
The revised standards now reflect:
- The latest scientific research.
- International benchmarks, including NRC guidelines.
- Practical realities faced by feed formulators and livestock producers in South Africa.
In essence, Act 36/1947 provides the legal backbone – and AFMA’s work ensures it remains relevant, practical, and science-based. Done right, regulation builds trust, drives innovation, and supports sustainable agricultural growth.
Section Links
Species Covered
The AFMA Nutritional Standards apply across multiple species and production systems, ensuring relevance for commercial feed manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and on-farm applications.
Each species section includes:
- Nutrient specifications by production phase.
- Minimum and maximum levels.
- Scientific references.
Dairy cattle
Beef cattle
Sheep & Goats
Game animals
Pigs
Poultry
Ostriches
Horses
Aquaculture
Milk replacers
How the Standards Were Developed
The standards were developed through an intensive, collaborative process involving more than 60 local experts from academia, feed companies, and veterinary sciences. They were benchmarked against international standards (such as NRC guidelines) and thoroughly reviewed to ensure practical application in South Africa.
Application & Benefits
Who Uses These Standards?
- Nutritionists & feed formulators
- Feed manufacturers & premix suppliers
- Regulatory authorities (Act 36)
- Quality assurance teams
Benefits
- Supports registration-ready formulations.
- Promotes clear labelling and transparency.
- Encourages safe, balanced feed production.
- Enhances industry alignment and export potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the standards revised?
Animal nutrition science has advanced significantly since the original standards were developed. The updated guidelines ensure feed formulations reflect modern production systems, genetic potential, and current health needs.
How will this impact registration?
Feed products registered under Act 36/1947 must now comply with the updated nutrient specifications. These standards help simplify and standardise the registration process for manufacturers.
What species are covered?
The standards apply to a wide range of species including dairy and beef cattle, poultry (broilers and layers), pigs, aquaculture, sheep, goats, game animals, and minor species.
Are these guidelines legally binding?
Yes. Once gazetted by the Registrar of Act 36/1947, compliance with these nutritional standards becomes a regulatory requirement for feed registration and marketing in South Africa.
Animal nutrition science has advanced significantly since the original standards were developed. The updated guidelines ensure feed formulations reflect modern production systems, genetic potential, and current health needs.
Feed products registered under Act 36/1947 must now comply with the updated nutrient specifications. These standards help simplify and standardise the registration process for manufacturers.
The standards apply to a wide range of species including dairy and beef cattle, poultry (broilers and layers), pigs, aquaculture, sheep, goats, game animals, and minor species.
Yes. Once gazetted by the Registrar of Act 36/1947, compliance with these nutritional standards becomes a regulatory requirement for feed registration and marketing in South Africa.