Computer Applications in Beef Computer Applications in Beef NutritionNutrition

Dan Loy Dan Loy

Iowa State UniversityIowa State University

An Sc 519An Sc 519

Why computer formulation?Why computer formulation?

Allow simultaneous diet formulation Allow simultaneous diet formulation using complex nutrient modelsusing complex nutrient models– Metabolizable protein systemsMetabolizable protein systems– Net energyNet energy– Dry matter intake predictionsDry matter intake predictions– Factorial requirements of nutrients Factorial requirements of nutrients

requiring production estimatesrequiring production estimates

Types of beef nutrition computer Types of beef nutrition computer programsprograms

Ration balancingRation balancing– automates hand calculationautomates hand calculation

Ration analysisRation analysis– evaluates ration for nutritional adequacyevaluates ration for nutritional adequacy

Least cost formulationLeast cost formulation– linear programming to minimize costs linear programming to minimize costs

within nutritional constraintswithin nutritional constraints

Linear Programming -- Linear Programming -- MinimizationMinimization

Unit Nutrient/Unit FeedUnit Nutrient/Unit Feed

NutrientNutrient Ingred X1Ingred X1 Ingred X2Ingred X2 RequiremtRequiremt

CalciumCalcium 11 11 1010

ProteinProtein 33 11 1515

CaloriesCalories 11 66 1515

Cost per Unit of FeedCost per Unit of Feed

$1$1 $2$2

Minimization ModelMinimization Model

Minimize cost = $1XMinimize cost = $1X11 + $2X + $2X22

Subject to:Subject to: 1X1X11 + 1X + 1X22 >=10 (Calcium) >=10 (Calcium)

3X3X11 +1X +1X22 >=15 (Protein) >=15 (Protein)

1X1X11 +6X +6X22>=15 (Calories)>=15 (Calories)

AndAnd XX11>=0, X>=0, X22>=0>=0

5

10

15

5 10 15

1X1 + 1X2 = 10

X2

X1

3X1 + 1X2 = 15

1X1 + 6X2 = 15

Feasible

Region

(0,15)

(2.5,7.5)

(9,1)

(15,0)

5

10

15

5 10 15

X2

X1

Feasible

Region

(0,15)

(2.5,7.5)

(9,1)

(15,0)

Cost =$1X1 + $2X2

=$1(9) + $2(1) = $11

SOLUTION

ISU Beef Management SoftwareISU Beef Management Software

MCS Spreadsheet SeriesMCS Spreadsheet Series– A series of six worksheet templates to aid A series of six worksheet templates to aid

in beef management decisionsin beef management decisions Beef Feedlot Monitoring ProgramBeef Feedlot Monitoring Program

– computerized feedlot management and computerized feedlot management and closeout analysiscloseout analysis

Beef Feedlot Ration Analysis Beef Feedlot Ration Analysis (MCS-7)(MCS-7)

Evaluates rations and projects Evaluates rations and projects performance for growing cattleperformance for growing cattle

Calculates ADG, cost of gain, ration Calculates ADG, cost of gain, ration adequacyadequacy

Rations adjusted by trial and errorRations adjusted by trial and error

Beef Cow Ration Analysis Beef Cow Ration Analysis (MCS-13)(MCS-13)

Evaluates ration for beef cow herdsEvaluates ration for beef cow herds Corrects for cow size, milk production, Corrects for cow size, milk production,

environment and conditionenvironment and condition

CowculatorCowculator

OSU Beef Cow Ration BalancerOSU Beef Cow Ration Balancer Similar to MCS-13Similar to MCS-13

Costs and Returns to Beef Cattle Costs and Returns to Beef Cattle Feeding (MCS-14)Feeding (MCS-14)

Evaluates feeding and purchase Evaluates feeding and purchase decisions in a budget formatdecisions in a budget format

Evaluates alternative feed prices, cattle Evaluates alternative feed prices, cattle types and weights, market price and types and weights, market price and risk, market timeliness and other risk, market timeliness and other factors on profitabilityfactors on profitability

Beef Feedlot Monitoring Beef Feedlot Monitoring ProgramProgram

Tracks performance and cost of individual Tracks performance and cost of individual pens of cattlepens of cattle

Aides in making mid-course corrections in Aides in making mid-course corrections in feeding and managementfeeding and management

Develops close-out analysis for comparisonDevelops close-out analysis for comparison Tracks feed inventoryTracks feed inventory Develops billings for custom-fed cattleDevelops billings for custom-fed cattle

Beef Management Software with Beef Management Software with Nutritional ComponentsNutritional Components

Simulation SoftwareSimulation Software– MCS-14MCS-14– Oklahoma State BEEFGAINOklahoma State BEEFGAIN

Monitoring of performanceMonitoring of performance– ISU Beef Feedlot Performance and Cost ISU Beef Feedlot Performance and Cost

MonitoringMonitoring

TAURUSTAURUS

Least cost ration formulation for beef Least cost ration formulation for beef cattlecattle

Developed at University of California - Developed at University of California - DavisDavis

Version 2.0 is latest versionVersion 2.0 is latest version– Version 1.1 is on diskVersion 1.1 is on disk