Applied Beef Nutrition
Ration Formulation Short Course
Beef Ration and Nutrition
Decision Software
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* Feeds
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
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18
19
20
21
*
Feedstuff
FIBER-BULK
Alfalfa Meal
Beet pulp
Cottonseed whol
Oat Hulls
Soy hulls
Wheat Mids
*
Units
* DM
Lb/unit $/unit Inventory
%
50
50
2000
2000
2000
2000
4
4
140
35
45
55
1
1
1
1
1
1
88
91
90
90
91
91
Corn glut. feed
Corn glut. meal
Wet corn glu fe
Cond Steep Wate
2000
2000
2000
2000
120
220
30
15
1
1
1
1
90
90
42
50
Distiller grain
Mod. Distillers
Wet Distillers
Cond.Corn Sol.
2000
2000
2000
2000
110
50
30
15
1
1
1
1
90
54
33
22.6
CORN-CO PROD
Value of Feedstuffs:
Take the production cost
or fair market value per
unit and then adjust for:
•handling + transport,
•storage charges
•storage shrink (waste)
Example: 1 bu or corn @
3.25/bu + trucking @
$4.00 / mile (857 bu, 20
miles) + $0.01 / bu load
out fee + 2% shrink =
(3.25 + .094 + .01 ) x 1.02
= 3.42
* TDN
%
* NE m * NE g
Mcal/lb Mcal/lb
61
74
90
39
77
83
0.61
0.78
1.01
0.39
0.84
0.9
0.35
0.51
0.71
0.05
0.55
0.62
83
89
80
91
0.92
1.00
0.95
1.00
0.62
0.65
0.65
0.72
90
90
90
85
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.75
Energy
TDN = total digestible nutrients
NE m = net energy for maintenance
NE g = net energy for gain
A feed, in reality, has a set net
energy content, however in practice
the rate of passage through the
animal and a few other factors can
limit the quantity of energy gleaned
from the feed. Most feed analysis
results take into account high
intakes as seen in dairy cattle and
discount energy concentration
accordingly.
* NDF
%
ADF
%
* e NDF
% of NDF
45
44.6
44
70
67
35
35
27.5
34
38
50
21
6
33
60
15
2
5
45
14
43
1.5
12
5
25
5
25
37
37
37
3.6
18
18
18
2
6
15
15
15
1
Fiber
NDF = neutral detergent fiber
ADF = acid detergent fiber
eNDF = effective neutral detergent
fiber = how “intact” the fiber is –
this value is estimated
Select
* Feeds
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
*
Feedstuff
*
Units
* DM
Lb/unit $/unit Inventory
%
* TDN * NE m * NE g
%
Mcal/lb Mcal/lb
* CP
%
* DIP Solubility
% of CP % of CP
FIBER-BULK
Alfalfa Meal
Beet pulp
Cottonseed whol
Oat Hulls
Soy hulls
Wheat Mids
50
50
2000
2000
2000
2000
4
4
140
35
45
55
1
1
1
1
1
1
88
91
90
90
91
91
61
74
90
39
77
83
0.61
0.78
1.01
0.39
0.84
0.9
0.35
0.51
0.71
0.05
0.55
0.62
18
9.8
23
4
12.1
18.4
70
55
60
75
50
77
22
25
20
20
22
40
alfalfa hay
alfalfa haylage 1
alfalfa haylage 2
alfalfa haylage 3
2000
2000
2000
2000
120
35
35
35
1
1
1
1
86
50
42
35
58
58
58
58
0.72
0.72
0.72
0.72
0.50
0.50
0.5
0.50
18
18
18
18
75
85
85
85
21
43
50
62
Protein: Inputs= Available Crude Protein, Degradable Intake Protein (DIP) and
Soluble Protein
Metabolizable Protein (MP) is calculated from these in the context of TDN level
and NDF / eNDF level.
*
Feedstuff
FIBER-BULK
Alfalfa Meal
Beet pulp
Cottonseed whol
Oat Hulls
Soy hulls
Wheat Mids
alfalfa
alfalfa
alfalfa
alfalfa
hay
haylage 1
haylage 2
haylage 3
* CP
%
18
9.8
23
4
12.1
18.4
18
18
18
18
* DIP Solubility
% of CP % of CP
70
55
60
75
50
77
75
85
85
85
Probably could adjust the DIPs
on these samples of alfalfa
haylage based on solubility
22
25
20
20
22
40
21
43
50
62
A few more notes on protein:
•DIP is determined by digestion trials
on a given feed but Solubility may
allow you to make adjustments within
a given feedstuff but not between
different feedstuffs.
•Rumen By-pass protein (UIP) is
calculated as Crude Protein – DIP
• DIP / UIP fractions are dependant
on rate of passage and chemical
properties.
•Amino Acid content of protein is not
part of this protein requirement model
in BRaNDS although in highly
productive animals this does begin to
have impact and in these situations
we would consider AA formulation as
another dimension in fulfilling
requirements.
Values given at 100% Dry Matter
Mineral
Calcium - (Ca)
Limestone
Limestone / Magnesium
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)
Dicalcium Phosphate (21%)
Dicalcium Phosphate (18%)
Monocalcium Phosphate
Calcium Sulfate
Oyster Shells (ground)
alfalfa
milk
Ca(CO3)
Ca(CO3)- Mg
CaCl2(H2O)
Ca2(PO4)
Ca2(PO4)
Ca(PO4)
Ca(SO4)
Mineral Relative
Relative
%
Availability
%
36.00
33.00
31.00
21.00
18.00
17.00
21.20
33.30
1.00
1.30
85.00
60.00
125.00
110.00
110.00
130.00
90.00
85.00
100.00
120.00
30.6
19.8
38.8
23.1
19.8
22.1
19.1
28.3
1.0
1.6
0.0
Cost
$/lb
$4.55
$2.00
$5.00
$3.00
$3.00
$5.00
$5.00
$4.00
Minerals:
Provide minerals into program on a relative percent
available basis if known.
Relative
Cost
$14.87
$10.10
$12.90
$12.99
$15.15
$22.62
$26.21
$14.13
Feed Library
Fe open
ppm
ppm
open
ppm
Other Feed Library Considerations
* “open” columns for user defined
items
* Providing analysis of feeds when
animal is allowed to sort
excessively.
178
313
100
150
91
100
100
100
* Pasture analysis vs. stored feed
analysis
Pasture Analysis
Hoglund, 1964
PRODUCT:
Corn silage
Moisture %
56.25%
Dry Matter %
43.75%
pH
5.31
Dry Basis
Crude Protein %DM
7.65%
ADF
31.55%
aNDF (w/Na2SO3)
49.72%
AD-ICP
0.80%
Protein Solubility
23.79% of CP
Starch
31.04%
Calcium
0.29%
Phosphorus
0.27%
Magnesium
0.19%
Potassium
1.05%
Sulfur
0.12%
TDN 1x ADF
65.76%
Adjusted Crude Protein
7.59%
NFC
35.41%
NE l 3x ADF
67.86 Mcal / cwt
NE g
ADF
42.34 Mcal/ cwt
NE m
ADF
69.33 Mcal/ cwt
Steps Involved In Ration
Formulation
• Dry Matter Intake
– Determine Maximum and feed at or below this
value.
– Use the Consumption Ratio to monitor this.
• A ratio between 75 and 95% would be a “limit”
feeding situation.
• A full feed intake ratio is generally at 95 to 105%
Dry Matter Intake
Actual Dry Matter Intake
Estimated Dry Matter
Intake (textbook)
Intake Ratio
(actual / estimated )
Feed provided (total weight
as-fed)
Feed consumed (total
weight – waste removed)
Feed Intake Guidelines
• Balance ration based on current feed dry
matter intake if known
– this includes accurate estimates of feed dry
matter & feed waste
• If intake is not known – use the textbook
estimate of DMI as guide
– pay attention to consumption ratio since this
ratio can be used as a guide for balancing
next year’s rations
Steps Involved In Ration
Formulation
• Energy
– Match target energy requirement determined
by the program.
( meet 100% +/- 1% of requirement)
Energy
Energy Requirement
– Goal is to meet 100% of
energy requirement
-If less than 100% - poor
performance
-If greater than 100% excessive weight gain
-Pregnancy, body condition
requirements, growth, ration
excesses, weather, health are
factored into this value already
Steps Involved In Ration
Formulation
• Metabolizable Protein
– Meet minimum metabolizable protein
requirement.
(100% + of requirement)
Protein (metabolizable protein)
Metabolizable Protein Requirement
-Goal is to reach a minimum value
of 100% ( 100 to 170 is tolerable
range) , if less than 100% - poor
performance, if greater - probably
not a big deal in many situations
-Incorporates rumen degradable
and rumen bypass protein
requirements
-Nitrogen recycling is also included
in this value to account for low
degradable intake protein (DIP)
*DIP ratio < 1.00 can be used to
choose best source of protein to
meet MP requirements
Steps Involved In Ration
Formulation
• Dietary Fiber
– Meet minimum eNDF concentration in ration.
(100% + of requirement )
Fiber
Fiber – eNDF – Effective
Neutral Detergent Fiber
-Goal is to provide a minimum
level of eNDF
-eNDF = percent of NDF that
stimulates “chewing”
-Cows & Mature Bulls 25/30
minimum
-Weaned calves – 20
-Bull test rations – 12 to 18
-Feedyard rations- down to 9
-Holstein (grain fed calves
then put in feedlot) – 12 to 18
Steps Involved In Ration
Formulation
• Minerals & Vitamins
– Determine necessary minerals and vitamins
to supplement. (many may be present in
sufficient quantities from base ration)
– Consider the tolerable ‘window’. (minimum
and maximum levels)
Vitamins and Minerals
Goal is to hit “window
-If quality is unknown and
generally deficient, provide
up to minimum NRC
requirement.
Concentration in Ration
Quantity in Ration
Requirement (quantity)
Status
Top allowable quantity
Top concentration
Example Ration Problems
Cow Rations
Production Goal
Animal
- breeding
- age / size
- health
- current diet
- current intake
Environment
Feed available
- on farm
- purchase
- analysis
Feed delivery/mixing
•Production Goal – mid summer breeding ration / pasture is
depleted, bull was just turned in.
•Animal
•
- breeding
- straight bred Angus cows, frame 6
•
- age / size
- wt around 1400 with May calves,
BCS @ 6
•
- health - no problems, vaccinated+ boosters
•
- current diet - pasture, but depleted
•
- current intake - ?
•Environment – late summer pasture, clean + dry
•Feed available
•
- on farm
- hay, and silage
•
- purchase - ? mineral
•
- analysis
- see sheets
•Feed delivery/mixing – round bales
What about in winter?
• Same herd, now in
Dec / Jan –
– Cold, some wind
protection
– 2nd trimester
– BCS – 5.5 to 6
Move into Feb – April
- 3rd trimester
*make ration with corn
silage, hay for these 2
periods.
(also some 1st crop hay on
hand – see hay 115
from feed library)
* Default grains listed in
library are available if
needed to balance
ration
What about this one?
Last Summer’s Calves
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Production Goal
Animal
- breeding
- age / size
- health
- current diet
- current intake
Environment
Feed available
- on farm
- purchase
- analysis
Feed delivery/mixing
•Production Goal – background – will pick some herd
replacements from the mix, rest go on feed to finish
•Animal
•
- breeding
- Angus heifer & steered calves
•
- age / size
- come in off cow as 400 to 550 lb
calves
•
- health
- ok now, vaccinated+ boosters
•
- current diet - hay, distillers and ear corn
•
- current intake - 5 pounds grain + hay
•Environment – winter, wind break, clean + dry
•Feed available
•
- on farm
- grass hay, 1st crop, ground ear corn
•
- purchase - ? Mineral, vitamin, protein, a
•
- analysis
- see sheets
•Feed delivery/mixing – hand fed grain and hay
Feedyard #1
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Production Goal
Animal
- breeding
- age / size
- health
- current diet
- current intake
Environment
Feed available
- on farm
- purchase
- analysis
Feed delivery/mixing
•Production Goal – finish 4cwt calves for Green Bay
dressed Beef, sell on grid, up to 1000lb carcass ok
•Animal
•
- breeding
- Holstein – steered calves
•
- age / size
- come in as 400 lb feeders
•
- health
- ok now, go off feed easy, stall out
easily, vaccinated+ boosters
•
- current diet - high grain from calf grower
•
- current intake - ?
•Environment – summer, shelter, clean + dry
•Feed available
•
- on farm
- grass hay (1st crop), corn
•
- purchase - ? Mineral, vitamin, protein, soyhulls
•
- analysis
- see sheets
•Feed delivery/mixing – round bales & self feeder
Feedyard #2
•Production Goal – project breakevens for following scenarios using the rations
provided (not all rations need to be fed)
•Test if a natural feed out is ok – no implant, ionophore
•Test if it is better to do a conventional feed out – implant, ionophore,
maybe optaflexx
•Animal
•
- breeding - X-bred, steers
•
- age / size - come in as 900 lb feeders, probably frame 6
•
- health
- no problems
•
- current diet - just off pasture
•
- current intake - ? – follow program estimated intake
•Environment – winter, monoslope shelter, moderate to low mud
•Feed available – see rations provided
•Feed delivery/mixing – mixed ration, bunk fed 1x per day
•1. pick appropriate rations (see following slides)
•2. run projections
•3. determine appropriate feeding plan