The increasing global need for access to current and accurate information on agricultural commodities, specifically feeds, serves as a catalyst for the establishment of a system of local, regional, and international information exchange. To address this need, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requested the National Research Council's Board on Agriculture to assess and review the scientific, technical, and policy issues involved in establishing a feed information system. A subcommittee of the Board on Agriculture's Committee on Animal Nutrition was convened to specifically address the following:

1. the type, source, and quality of data to be included in the feed information system;

2. the uses of such a system in research, industry, trade, extension, and education;

3. the electronic technology and operations associated with the development, maintenance, and use of a feed information system; and

4. international use of a feed information system.

The subcommittee was also charged with reviewing the existing scientific literature on chemical and biological evaluation of feedstuffs as well as that on the development and standardization of analytical methodology. The effects of technological advances on feed processing and the effects of genetic manipulation of plant germplasm on nutrient composition also were addressed.

To obtain the views and opinions from experienced data base managers and