The Feed values in the Finnish Feed Tables, such as mineral content and digestibility of minerals, are used both in feeding and feed planning and as a basis for calculations for environmental and production management decision-making. The values in the Feed Table have a wide impact, as the reported mineral content of many compound feed products on the market is also based on values calculated from Feed Tables.

Incorrect or outdated feed mineral content and digestibility values used in feed design cause deviations of nutritional needs, affecting animal welfare and causing excretion of excess nutrients into feces and urine, and further with manure into the environment. The mineral content and digestibility values in the Feed Tables form the basis for excretion calculation of livestock. Results of excretion calculation are used in numerous calculations assessing emissions and amount of livestock production, and further in legislation and voluntary schemes.