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Ration balancing software for sheep
This document discusses ration balancing software options for sheep. It begins by explaining why ration balancing is important to meet nutritional requirements and maximize animal performance while managing costs. There are several methods for ration balancing, including by hand or using computer programs. When using computer programs, the most common method is substitution, where feeds are edited until nutritional requirements are met. The document then reviews several free and paid ration balancing software and spreadsheet options, comparing their features such as whether they require Excel or Access, use of substitution method, and ability to perform least cost formulation.
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Ration balancing software for sheep
- 1. Ration balancing software forsheep SUSAN SCHOENIAN Sheep & Goat Specialist University of Maryland Extension sschoen@umd.edu - www.sheepandgoat.com
- 2. Why balance rations? •To make sure you are meeting the nutritional requirements of your sheep. 1) Optimize animal performance 2) Prevent nutritional problems 3) Manage feed costs
- 3. How to balancerations 1 - By hand • Simple arithmetic • Pearson square • Simultaneous algebraic equations 2 - Using a computer • • • • Standalone programs Databases Spreadsheets Online applications
- 4. When using acomputer, the most common method to balance rations is the substitution method. Choose animals • Select an animal group a) b) c) d) Age Weight Physiological state Production level Choose feeds 1) Forage 2) Grain a) Energy b) Protein 3) Supplements
- 5. Substitution method • Editamounts until ration is balanced. • In some programs, you’ll be able to provide additional information that will automatically adjust nutritional requirements (e.g. climate, wastage).
- 6. Where to getfeed composition values “Book” values Chemical analysis Feed tag
- 7. Book values Laboratory analysis 1)Print 1) National Forage Testing Association www.foragetesting.org a) Sheep Production Handbook Nutrition Chapter (2002) b) Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants (2007) 2) Online a) Web sites b) Colorado State University http://www.ext.colostate.edu/p ubs/livestk/01615.html c) Beef Magazine beefmagazine.com 3) Software and spreadsheets 2) Cumberland Valley Analytical Services www.foragelab.com 3) Dairy One (Cornell University) www.dairyone.com
- 8. Ration balancing softwarefor Sheep 1) Software University of California Iowa State University* 2) Web-based Montana State University* Alberta Lamb Producers 3) Database Cornell University 4) Spreadsheet Chico State University University of Maryland*
- 9. University of CaliforniaARIES 2007 • Standalone Windows program • Version 2007 • $400 $250 educational version • Least-cost and evaluation modes • Free demo
- 10. Iowa State UniversityBRANDs Ewe and Feedyard 0100 Standard Sheep Companion 0500 Professional • Requires MS Excel or compatible program • Runs on PC or Mac • Uses substitution method to balance for energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. • Calculates cost of gain and cost per head per day. • Default feed library can easily be modified • $100 • Requires PC running MS Excel 97 or later as interface • Same features as standard edition, plus automated leastcost formulation and custom supplement formulation. • Can manage multiple producers, rations, and feed libraries. • $450 https://store.extension.iastate.edu/
- 11. Changed to myKatahdin ewes Changed to Clear Spring, MD
- 12. Added a feed Addor edit feeds
- 13. Can add figuresfor micro minerals and vitamins
- 16. Montana State University MSUSheep Ration Program • Online • Free registration • Based on 1985 NRC requirements – No selections for high producing ewes • Uses substitution method to evaluate and balance rations for ewes and lambs. http://www.msusheepration.montana.edu
- 17. Enter a customfeed
- 18.
- 19. Balance a diet:select an animal group
- 20. Balance a diet:select a weight
- 21. Click on afeed to add to ration and adjust amount with Edit Amt button
- 22. Keep making adjustmentsuntil ration meets nutritional requirements. 4 lbs. of hay + 1 lb. of barley
- 23. SheepBytes Ration Balancer • • • • • Web-basedapplication (Chrome or Firefox recommended) Based on 2007 NRC requirements $100 first year, $50 annual renewal (individual) Offers more flexibility and details than most other programs. Can download demo program
- 24. Cornell University FEEDFORM •Requires Microsoft Access as interface • Free download from http://www.sheep.cornell.edu/management/ economics/cspsoftware/feedform/
- 25. Chico State University Nutritionspreadsheets • Free Excel spreadsheets 1. 2. 3. Market lamb evaluator Sheep and Goat Nutrition General Ration Evaluator • Free download from http://www.chicostatesheepgoat.com/resources.html
- 26. Sheep and MeatGoat Ration Evaluator
- 27. University of MarylandExtension Nutrition Spreadsheets • Free Excel spreadsheets 1. 2. 3. 4. Sheep Ration Evaluator Meat Goat Ration Evaluator RationMixer Comparing nutrient costs • Download from http://www.sheepandgoat.com/spreadsheets.html
- 29. Step 1: Feedout feed inventory with the feedstuffs you have available.
- 30.
- 31. Step 2: Goto requirements tabs (yellow) and find the sheep you want to evaluate a ration for.
- 32. Step 3: Copythe sheep’s nutrient requirements to the Windows clipboard Highlight cells Hit CTRL-C or Right click mouse and click copy
- 33. Step 4: Goto the worksheet tab (purple) and find the same category of sheep.
- 34. Step 5: Pastethe nutrient requirements (from the clipboard) to the same location on the worksheet. Highlight cells Hit CTRL-V or Right click mouse and click paste
- 35. In the Asfed (blue) column, enter the amount of each feed to be fed.
- 36. The pink cellsshow the difference between the supplied nutrients and the required nutrients Nutritional deficiencies are in red parenthesis.
- 39. Ration balancing softwarefor sheep Software COST Requires MS Excel Requires MS Access Iowa State BRANDS Standard $100 Iowa State BRANDS Professional $450 UC Davis ARIES 2007 $400 MSU Feed Ration Free *** Canada SheepBytes $100 $50/yr. ***** **** Online Substitution method Leastcost Features Complexity **** ***** **** Cornell FeedForm Free Chico State University Free * University Maryland Free **
- 40. Thank you foryour attention. Questions? http://www.slideshare.net/schoenian/ration-balancing-software-for-sheep