Carbohydrates are sugars and starches derived from cereals, tubers, roots, and other substances such as cellulose and lignin from plant cell walls, vessels and woody tissues. Carbohydrates do mainly provide energy for maintenance and production. A surplus of energy is stored as body fat. A part of the carbohydrates is crude fibre (CF), the remaining is nitrogen-free extract (NFE). The latter consists of sugars, starches and sugar-like substances. Sugars and starches are much easier to digest than CF. CF is very important for the functioning of the rumen and for production of milk rich in butterfat. Food for dairy.
