II. Cattle Nutrition Division

      The goal of long-term research projects is to determine nutrient and energy requirements in cattle of all categories, nutritive values of new and nontraditional feeds, and to study the use of feed additives and their effects in ruminants. Classical work in the seventies was focused on the nutritive value of feeds as influenced by a modification of the system of evaluation of feeds, and protein and energy requirements in energy terms on the basis of net energy (DEDEK, BRÁZDA, DUSÍK, ŠIMEK, LOSSMANN, ZEMAN). Feed intake, energy requirement and calf nutrition including development of starter feeds were investigated in the eighties and nineties (ŠIMEK, KRÁSA, POSPÍŠIL, TŘINÁCTÝ). In recent years, research has been aimed at optimum composition of milk replacers for calves with respect to their nutritive value and economic efficiency of their use (KRÁSA, VRZALOVÁ) while productive effects of bulky and concentrate feeds in dairy cows have been studied continually within cooperation of research and production institutions in CR; these successful activities have provided original results (LOSSMANN). Specification of nutrient and energy requirements in cattle of all categories, application of efficient feed additives and new aspects of feeding technology in cattle are the subject of research projects at present (ŠIMEK, KRÁSA, TŘINÁCTÝ, VRZALOVÁ, ŠUSTALA). Digestibility of structural saccharides is studied by the nylon capsule method (SVOZIL, TŘINÁCTÝ, ŠIMEK), and the need of minerals in cattle is investigated (ŠIMEK).

	Ing. Miroslav Šimek, CSc., * l2th Oct. 1944, has been working in the institute since 1971, Head of the Division, an internationally recognized prominent researcher in the tield of mineral nutrition of cattle. His work in the sphere of macro- and micromineral nutrition of animals is appreciatcd not only by Czech and foreign scientists but also by Czech breeders. He is a popular bearer of professional education atnong breeders and feed specialists. He cooperates with many domestic and toreign scientitic institutions. He has published more than 120 scientitic papera and specialized books.
	Ing. Dana Vrzalová, * l7th August 1972, has been working in the institute since 1997. Her research project is aimed at development of milk replacers for calves.
	Ing. Martin Šustala, * l7th November 1973, has been working in the institute since 1997. He participates in research projects of the division, particularly in the project studying the use of rape feeds for dairy cow nutrition.

The development of new milk feed mixtures for calves cannot do without exact experiments in individual cages: