Pasz

Pasz is a term found in aspects of Polish agriculture that refers to fodder or feed given to livestock. In standard Polish, the common noun for this concept is pasza; pasz appears primarily in older texts or regional speech as a variant or shorthand form. The idea behind pasz is to provide nutrients needed for growth, maintenance, reproduction, and production in farm animals.

Pasze encompass a wide range of ingredients and formulations designed to supply energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. They are typically categorized into concentrates (pasze treściowe), which are energy- or protein-dense feeds, and roughage or bulk feeds (pasze objętościowe) that supply fiber and bulk. Commercially produced feeds may be used as complete mixtures, while on-farm practices often involve compiling mixes from various components to meet specific animal needs.

Common components of pasze include cereals (such as maize and wheat), by-products of processing (bran, pulp), oilseed meals (like rapeseed or soybean meal), and mineral–vitamin premixes. The nutritional value is assessed by factors such as crude protein content, energy value, fiber, moisture, and potential contaminants. In many jurisdictions, feed safety and quality are regulated, with labeling and traceability requirements to ensure appropriate use.

Use in livestock management varies by species and production goals. Cattle, pigs, poultry, and small ruminants rely on pasze as part of balanced diets tailored to life stage and production targets. Pasze can be used as complete feeds or as ingredients in formulated mixes (mieszanki paszowe) to achieve desired nutrient profiles.

See also: pasza, żywienie zwierząt, pasze.