REINS User’s Guide

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REINS
User’s Guide
Ration / Supplement Formulation & Evaluation Software Designed
for Equine
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REINS
User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Computer Setup
3
Notes of Interest
5
Program Operation
9
• Settings Page
10
• Feeds Page
14
• Formulate Page
20
• Reports
28
• Program Appendices
35
• Example Problems
37
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REINS
User’s Guide
Computer Setup
Before you begin:
This software uses MS Excel as an interface and to format reports. However much of the
code runs independent of Excel and therefore requires the following 1. You must have a version of MS Excel installed on your computer. When installing, do a
complete installation. Earlier versions considered this complete installation a “custom”
installation. If doing the custom installation, be sure to check all options.
2. You must allow the program code to function – to do this:
• MS Excel 07 (and later) Users
A. Open Excel
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
•
Select the Microsoft symbol in the top left corner of screen
Select the ‘Excel Options’ button
From the side menu select ‘Trust Center’
Select the ‘Trust Center Settings’ button
From the side menu select ‘Macro Settings’
Check the macro settings that says ‘Enable All Macros’ (don’t worry
about the warning since people that write virus software easily side
step the Microsoft security measures)
H. Check the box regarding ‘ Trust access to the VBA project object
module’. (see following Figure on next page )
I. Close Excel
Earlier Versions of Excel
A. Open Excel
B. Select ‘Tools’ from the menu bar
C. Select ‘Macro ‘ then ‘Security’
D. Under Security level select ‘Low’ (don’t worry about the warning since
people that write virus software easily side step the Microsoft
security measures)
E. Now from the ‘Tools’ menu select ‘Add-Ins’ and be sure to check the
‘Analysis Tool Pak’ and ‘Analysis Tool Pak – VBA’
F. Close Excel.
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3. Now install the software from the REINS program CD on to your computer by running
the SETUP.EXE file on the CD. (Double click this file on the CD to run).
4. Once the Program is installed a directory called ‘REINS’ will be placed on your
computer’s hard drive and the main program file ‘REINS.xls’ will be located there. This
program can be ran by going to the ‘Programs’ menu and selecting ‘REINS’. You will not
need your program CD to run this program now so put the CD in a safe place.
Check these 2 items -
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Notes of Interest:
•
The purpose of this software is to formulate and evaluate rations for horses, ponies,
mules and donkeys.
•
The guidelines given by this software are based on the 6th Revised Edition of the
National Research Council’s publication - Nutrient Requirements of Horses.
•
The REINS program requires MS Excel with VB and macro operation access to
operate.
•
A least cost formulator can be used or rations can be entered manually.
•
Refer to the “Tips” areas on each page of the program to learn more details of
program operation. Refer to the flagged captions in the program to learn more
regarding the meaning of given inputs and outputs.
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User’s Guide
Total Mixed Ration Balancing
The term total mixed ration (TMR) is used interchangeably with complete feeds. Such rations
are prepared by mixing together, in measured proportions, the feed ingredients required to
furnish all the nutrients and other dietary factors needed in a particular ration. This means that
the roughage and the grain ingredients, including the protein, mineral, and vitamin
supplements, and other additives are all fed as one mixture. Everything that is eaten within 24
hours should be considered when evaluating the TMR for a horse.
An important factor for TMR is to know how much you are feeding. If you do not have a feed
scale you can weigh your hay and grain with a bathroom scale. Total feed intake/day, hay plus
grain is determined by your horse’s body capacity or size. To determine calories needed/day:
evaluate the body condition score and how many pounds/day of hay and/or a grain mixture is
necessary to maintain this score. The program will account for calorie needs for maintaining,
increasing or decreasing the body condition score.
The first and most important ingredient to look at is energy or calories. If the horse is
maintaining its weight, the calorie needs are met. If a horse is thin or loosing weight the calories
are too low or if a horse is overweight the calories are too high. Then other nutrients such as
protein, minerals and vitamins should be evaluated to see if they may be too high or
inadequate resulting in an unbalanced diet. The program is set up to determine if any nutrient
is needed or is too high. It can be used for calories (digestible energy), protein, amino acids, fat,
fiber, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. One can look at the ration to see if it contains
appropriate proportions of the principle nutritional components for a specific class of horse.
The classes of horses include maintenance, senior, growing, gestating, lactating, stallions and
performance horses.
Roughages are very important for the horse as they decrease the risk of metabolic disorders
such as colic and laminitis. As a rule of thumb at least 1 pound of hay per day for every 100
pounds body weight of the horse should be fed. This means that a 1,000-pound horse would be
fed about 10 pounds of hay per day. A horse at maintenance (mature, idle and in good
condition) can be fed excellent hay at around 2 pounds per 100 pounds of body weight and may
be fine without adding grain. Growing, performance horses, gestating mares during late
pregnancy and mares during lactation need grain and other concentrates in addition to the
roughage
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Reasons for Developing Complete Rations
•
•
•
•
Rations can be precisely balanced so that each bite is nutritionally adequate for a particular
class of horse.
The roughage-to-grain ratio can be varied to regulate nutrient intake. For example as a
horse declines in milk production during lactation, the roughage level can be increased to
avoid excessive intake resulting in a fat mare.
The frequent consumption of small amounts of ration helps maintain a more stable hind-gut
environment, including pH, thus decreasing metabolic disorders. This is especially helpful
when high starch (grain) rations are fed. When the hind-gut receives the common grain
rations in only two large meals daily, the hind-gut pH drops, fiber digestibility is reduced,
and the horses may go off feed and suffer other adverse effects.
Complete ration preparations permit use of certain ingredients and higher levels of
ingredients that may otherwise have undesirable qualities related to physical form or
palatability.
Horse feeding management recommendations
• Feed a balanced ration. Don’t supplement balanced rations or dilute balanced rations:
Many commercial feeds are formulated to meet the requirements of specific classes of
horses. Many horse owners top dress their feed with vitamins, minerals, etc or cut their
commercial feed with corn or oats. This practice can cause serious nutrient imbalances
and toxicity problems
• Feed good quality feeds.
• Growing horses and lactating mares should be fed higher protein and mineral rations
• Regulate hay-to-grain ratio to control condition in adult horses.
• Minimize fines in a prepared ration.
• Provide feed on a regular basis
• Feed confined horses at least twice daily. If horses are working hard and consuming a lot
of grain, feed three times per day.
• Feed half the hay allowance at night when horses have more time to eat and digest it.
• Keep fresh water and salt always available. Feed salt separately, free-choice.
• Never feed moldy or dusty hay or feed.
• Allow horses one hour to digest meal before exercise.
• Do not give grain or a lot of water to a hot horse. However, sips of water are good after
exercise.
• Encourage aggressive horses to eat slowly.
• Feed at least 1 pound of hay per day for every 100 pounds body weight of the horse
should be fed
• Feed by weight, not volume. Standard volumes of feedstuffs do not weigh the same. A
3 lb coffee can of 32 lb/bu of oats weighs 2.5 lbs, of 38 lb/bu oats weighs 4.0 lbs, and
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corn or pellets weighs 5 lbs. The average flake of hay weighs between 4-6 lbs. However,
a flake of grass hay may appear twice as large as a flake of alfalfa hay, but the grass hay
may weight the same or less.
•
•
•
•
Keep teeth functional.
Feed according to the individuality of horse. Some horses are hard keepers and need
more feed per-unit of body weight.
Avoid sudden changes in rations. When changing from a low-grain, high-fiber ration to a
high-grain, low fiber diet change gradually over a period of a week or more.
Horses on pasture should be started on dry feed gradually. Increase the feed to the
desired amount in a week to 10 days.
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User’s Guide
Operation
The first run •
Be sure that all steps indicated on the computer setup page of this document were followed
as mentioned. The program will not work if these steps are ignored.
•
Start the Program from the REINS selection from your “All Programs” program list.
•
When the program is started, the REINS Program Screen should appear (see following
example).
•
Notice the tabs along the bottom. Use these tabs to navigate through the program.
Program Screen
Navigation Tabs
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Settings Page - Use each time you formulate –
Select the “Settings” page (tab) – whenever you sit down to formulate rations – go to the
Settings Page and select the stable that you will be working with as your first step.
Settings Page
The Settings Page (shown above) allows the software user to:
1. Provide contact information in the case where the user is a consultant developing
rations for other individuals.
2. Set up a master file that will hold contact, weather and other noted information
concerning the various stables which are consulted.
3. Run file utilities which allow for backing and restoring the ration information
concerning the stable along with the option of importing the feed library from the
Horse – BRaNDS program, the predecessor of REINS.
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Contact Information
Provide your contact information in the Consultant input boxes in the upper left corner
of the Settings Page. Once provided, select the “SAVE” button above this consultant
information input to retain. This information should only need to be provided one time.
If you make a mistake, retype the information and save again.
Stable Information
There is no practical limit to the number of stables that can be set up in the REINS
program. The stable likewise does not have any specific requirement in terms of
number of animals or definition. This is merely the way by which the REINS program
designates/partitions individual horse owners or operations which maintain animals and
allows the software’s user to manage the files (rations) created for these different
entities. If no stable is established or if no established stable is selected before
formulating a ration, the ration files will be placed in the general REINS directory rather
than into the specific Stable’s folder.
When installing the REINS program initially, a default directory called REINS is made.
This is the general REINS directory. As stables are added, for instance when I add the
Iowa State Stable, a subdirectory will appear in the REINS general directory called Iowa
State Stable. Each time I then formulate a ration for the Iowa State Stable or wish to
view one that I already formulated for this stable I will come to the Settings Page, select
the Iowa State Stable from the drop-down list and then go about my work concerning
this stable. ONE THING YOU NEED TO KEEP IN MIND – is that when formulating a ration
for another stable, return to the Settings Page and selects this different stable from the
drop list if the stable information was already provided or adds this different stable as
“new” if the information concerning it is not already listed.
C:\REINS (general directory)
To add a new
Iowastable:
State Stable
Other sub directories
Other subdirectories
1. Select the “NEW STABLE” button.
2. Type in the list input box the name of the stable and then the address information
3. Update the weather data concerning the stable in the weather data boxes below as
well as any notes on the stable that you wish to maintain.
4. Select the “SAVE” button in the bank of command buttons next to the stable name
to save. If you have followed these steps successfully you should see the name of
the stable on the drop-down list when opened by selecting the list.
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To edit information on a stable:
1. From the stable drop-down list, select the name of the stable you wish to view.
2. When the stable is selected, the information concerning the stable will appear on
the Settings Page. Edit the information and select the “SAVE” button in the bank of
command buttons next to the stable name.
To delete a stable:
1. From the stable drop-down list, select the name of the stable you wish to delete.
2. Select the “DELETE” button in the bank of command buttons next to the stable
name.
Stable drop-down list
Open by clicking arrow
To backup information:
1. Select the Stable from the Stable list, (If no stable is selected the files not attributed
to any particular stable are backed up).
2. In the Backup input box, indicate the path to the backup drive you wish to use. For
instance, if you plan on sending the files to your flash drive that you have in your “F”
drive enter “F:\” into the Back up Files input box.
3. Select the “OK” button to finish the job.
To restore files that you have backed:
1. Indicate the drive containing the backed data. If this data is on a flash drive that
you placed into your “F” drive, indicate this location as “F:\” in the Restore Data
Files input box.
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2. Select the Stable from the Drop-down list that you wish to restore.
3. Select the “OK” button to finish the job.
Note that this will overwrite the current files with the backed files.
To Import Data files from the earlier horse nutrition program:
1. In the Import input box select the file name. For instance, “C:\BRaNDS\feedmill”.
Note this only works if you have the original BRaNDS Professional edition software
on your computer.
2. Be sure to have the Stable selected from the drop-down stable list above to place
this file into an existing stable’s file.
3. Select the “OK” button to finish the job. Note that this can be repeated for other
stables in which you wish to import the selected feed library.
Note that you can manually back up files as well without using the program. To do this,
go directly to your hard drive, find the REINS folder and copy the contents to your
backup disk. Likewise, you can restore items directly using this same methodology.
Weather Data on the Settings Page refers to outside air temperature. This data used as
a reference when balancing rations. The user ultimately inputs the average air
temperature that the animal is exposed to since animals in a barn would be different
than those outdoors.
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Feeds Page
-Each time you begin –
When you leave the Settings Page a pop-up box will appear to remind you what Stable Account
(file) that you are now working in along with what the current feed library that is open on the
Feeds Page. Note that the Feed Library that will appear is the last Feed Library which was open.
This can be confusing since this library may be from another stable’s file. Therefore, the NEXT
STEP IS TO GO TO THE FEEDS PAGE AND SELECT THE FEED LIBRARY THAT YOU WANT TO USE.
Pop-Up Account Box
The Feeds Page displays the feed library ingredients. Each library can hold 220 feedstuffs and
each Stable can have one or more libraries associated with it. When a new stable is entered on
the Settings Page the default feed library, “horsefeed” is copied into the stable’s file. This
default directory can be modified as needed for the given stable or renamed and saved.
The major feed ingredients should be indicated in rows 1 through 159. These would be your
forages and grains. Commercial grain mixes, supplemental vitamins and mineral sources should
be indicated in rows 161 through 220.
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Feed Library Screen
Feed Price Information
Feed price information is broke down as an “In Value” and an “Out Value”. This entry was
primarily designed for stables that board horses and submit a feed bill to clients, but can be
used in other ways as well. This entry’s original design however, allows the stable to account
for storage shrink and bill out going feed appropriately to cover this shrink loss financially as
well as handling, delivery and mark up fees when necessary. For instance if oats is purchased
by the stable for $3.00 per bushel delivered and a 2% storage loss is realized between delivery
and feeding a minimum “out price” would be 3.00 x 1.02 or $3.06 per bushel.
On this same note, the unit dealt with is the bushel. It could be tons, pounds, et cetera. The
item to remember here is to define how many pounds are present in the unit being priced.
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Feed Nutrient Information
All feedstuff nutrient entries should be indicated on a 100% dry matter basis.
If you are missing nutrient values for a feed that you are entering, for instance a hay sample
from your farm, refer to a similar feedstuff on the default list to provide an estimate. In some
cases, you may be able to leave the entry blank if the quantity of the nutrient is near zero or
lost over time when the feed is stored as would be the case with vitamins.
Nutrient columns marked as “open” are available for user defined nutrient specifications. For
instance you may have a feed additive that you wish to monitor in a supplement and with this
option you can indicate the level of this item in the feed library. A word of caution, be sure to
use the appropriate “open” column for the nutrient that you will be monitoring since some of
these “open” columns are designed for percentages, others parts per million or parts per
billion, et cetera.
When providing mineral nutrient contents it is advised, when possible, to provide this nutrient
in the concentration that is available. For instance, some trace mineral when provided in
chelated forms are possibly 20% more available than in “rock” forms (oxides, sulfates,
carbonates). If you have some idea of this relative greater or lesser availability, provide the
concentration as such.
The water in the animal’s diet can also be factored into the formulation. The mineral content
of this water can be indicated in the feed library. Minerals dissolved into drinking water are
generally more available, for instance salt in salt water is approximately 5x more available to
the animal. Therefore when minerals are present in water they should be factored into the
formulation in order that the animal is not “over supplemented” with a given nutrient.
Tip: Feeds can be selected by double clicking the feed number column. A ‘right’ click will clear
the number from this column.
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To Establish a Feed Library:
1. A default library, “HorseFeed” is established each time a new stable is entered. This
library can be used for the stable or customized for the selected stable. If a new library
is to be made for the stable, rename and save this default library to maintain some or all
of the default feeds or simply indicate the name of the new feed library and enter
information concerning the feeds you have.
2. Indicate the name of the feed library in the “LIBRARY” list box at the top of the screen.
3. Provide the feedstuff information on the screen.
4. Select the square “SAVE” button located under the Library list to save the information.
If things worked as they were intended, you should see the name of the library just
named in the drop-down list when opened.
*Limit the name of a feed library to 15 spaces.
*Limit the name of a feedstuff in the Library to 20 spaces.
To Edit/Update a Feed Library:
1. From the “LIBRARY” list box, select the feed library that you wish to edit.
2. Select the “RESTORE” button located under the list to pull up the feeds associate with
the library.
3. Enter new feedstuffs or update the feeds that are already listed.
4. Select the “SAVE” button under the Library list to save the updated library.
Note that if you change the name of a feed library or a feedstuff in the library, existing rations
which you have developed may not be able to find the library or the feedstuff. Therefore if you
change the name, be sure to update the rations.
To Delete a Feed Library:
1. From the “LIBRARY” list box, select the feed library that you wish to delete.
2. Select the “RESTORE” button located under the list to pull up the feeds associate with
the library.
3. Select the” DELETE” button located under the “LIBRARY” list box. The “LIBRARY” list box
will clear. The screen itself will not refresh until a different library is restored.
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To Enter a New Feedstuff in a Feed Library:
1. From the “LIBRARY” list box, select the feed library that you wish to edit/ add the
feedstuff.
2. Select the “RESTORE” button located under the list to pull up the feeds associate with
the library (if the feed library is not already restored and visible on the screen).
3. The new feed can be typed into a blank row or it may be entered over the top of a
feedstuff currently in the library that is not used in your rations.
4. Provide the pounds per unit, the in and out cost information, the dry matter percent of
the feedstuff and the rest of the nutrient information on a 100% dry matter basis.
5. Select the “SAVE” button under the “LIBRARY” list box to save the updated library.
Limit the name of a feedstuff to 20 spaces.
To Edit a Feedstuff in a Feed Library:
1. From the “LIBRARY” list box, select the feed library that you wish to edit.
2. Select the “RESTORE” button located under the list to pull up the feeds associate with
the library (if the feed library is not already restored and visible on the screen).
3. Find the feedstuff which needs to be edited and provide the corrected information.
4. Select the “SAVE” button to save the information.
Note that if you change the name or nutrient content of a feedstuff in the library, existing
rations which you have developed using that feedstuff will need to be updated as well. This
update does not occur automatically.
To Delete a Feedstuff in a Feed Library:
1. From the “LIBRARY” list box, select the feed library that you wish to edit.
2. Select the “RESTORE” button located under the list to pull up the feeds associate with
the library (if the feed library is not already restored and visible on the screen).
3. Find the feedstuff which needs to be deleted and simply high-light the name and
information concerning that particular feedstuff and hit the delete button on your
computer’s keyboard to remove.
4. Select the “SAVE” button to save the Feed Library information.
Be sure that you do not delete a feed or feed library that you are using in a ration.
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To Print the Nutrient Analysis of Selected Feedstuffs:
1. If you wish to print out the nutrient analysis of selected feedstuffs from the library, in
the far left column of the Feeds Page indicate the feeds to printout by numbering them
in the order you wish to display them. For instance, on the Feed Library Figure shown at
the beginning of this section (page 11) a number “1” is place in front of beet pulp and a
number “2” is placed in front of barley. ( 5 feedstuffs can be printed out at once on this
summary report)
2. Select the “PRINT” button located under the Library list to print out the report.
To Transfer Feedstuffs to a Ration:
1. Feeds can be transferred to the Formulate Page in one of 2 ways: The first way they
can be transferred is by numbering them 1, 2, 3, …(up to 30) in the far left column of the
Feeds Page in the order you wish to display them. For instance, on the Feed Library
Figure shown at the beginning of this section (page 11) a number “1” is place in front of
beet pulp and a number “2” is placed in front of barley.
2. After numbering the feedstuffs, select the “TRANSFER” button. This will save the feed
library, move the feedstuff information to the Formulate Page and change the screen to
the Formulate Page.
The other way to transfer feeds is to note the row number that the feed is located on and then
on the Formulate screen in “Step 3” type in the feedstuff reference number.
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Formulate Page
- Each time you begin –
Ration formulation and evaluation is done on the Formulate Page. The Formulate Page is
divided into 5 Steps for operation. –
Step 1 involves providing the inputs on the animal involved.
Step 2 involves specifying the nutrient parameters you wish to balance.
Step 3 involves indicating the possible feedstuffs that can be considered for balancing
the ration as well as the minimum or maximum levels of these feeds provided to the
animal as a percent of the animals ration.
Step 4 then is the formulation step. A “Least Cost” formulation routine is provided in
the software which will try to satisfy the constraints. Adjustments can then be made
manually after this preliminary estimate is given.
Step 5 is to evaluate and generate the reports associated with the ration.
Steps – Breakdown of Formulation Steps
Step 1 – Indicate Animal Details
The top of the Formulate Page is the area we begin. Provide a ration name in the “File Name”
list box and then provide the appropriate text in the input boxes that follow which describe the
time frame the ration is to be fed and the details concerning the animal(s) the ration is
formulated. Note that each input has a comment box that can be opened by placing the mouse
pointer on top of the input. The comment box will provide further details describing an
appropriate input.
• Feeding Period – this is the time frame the ration is to be fed over. Generally
a production phase such as lactation should correspond with these dates.
• Animal type – indicate if the animal is a horse, mule, donkey or pony.
• Gender – select mare, stallion or gelding.
• Age – Nursing, 4 months, 6 months, yearling, long yearling, 2 yr. old, 3 year
old, Mature, Senior.
• Body Condition Score – click on caption for examples – 9 point system where
1 is extremely thin, 9 is extremely fat and 5 is a good condition to be in.
• Desired Body Condition Score Change – this input is used to indicate a
desired change in fleshiness of the horse on a monthly basis. This would be
weight gain beyond the normal lean growth in the young horse. For
instance, if your horse is currently a score of “4” and you want to add “1/4”
point it will take 4 months to add one body condition score. A full score is
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•
•
•
•
•
•
about 80 pounds for a 1200 pound horse (about 6 to 7% of
mature body weight).
Exercise –
o None
o Light - Recreational riding, beginning stages of training, show horses
(occasional)
o Moderate - School horses, recreational riding, show horses
(frequent), light farm & ranch work, polo.
o Heavy - Normal/heavy ranch and farm work, show horses (strenuous
frequent), low-medium eventing, race training (middle stages).
o Very Heavy - Hard racing, elite 3-day event.
Reproductive Activity – the list will allow for different options based on age
and gender of horse.
o None
o Gestation – 1st trimester
o Gestation – 2nd trimester
o Gestation – 3rd trimester
o Gestation – Late 3rd trimester
o Early Lactation (1st-2nd month)
o Mid Lactation (3rd – 4th month)
o Late Lactation (5th month and later)
Current Body Weight – refer to Appendix 1 for estimating horse body weight.
Growth – refer to Appendix 3 for minimum guidelines in terms of lean weight
gain per day.
Average Temperature - this would be the effective temperature the animal is
exposed to for prolonged durations. It could be outdoor temperature if the
animal does not have access to a stable or it would be normal stable
temperature. For animals turned out for exercise but brought back into the
stable at night – use the stable’s average temperature. To find normal
outdoor temperatures for your area go to: http://www.weather.com
Maintenance Adjustment – this can be used to adjust maintenance
requirements from the calculated value by some percentage. An input of
“5”, for instance, would increase the maintenance requirements by 5 % for
the animal the diet is formulated for while no value or a “0” entered would
indicate business as usual and not extraordinary requirement. This input is a
clearing house of sorts in which the previous inputs could not describe an
energy demanding situation the horse is experiencing such as hyperactivity,
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•
parasite load, co-mingling/fighting with other horses or health
issues. Use of this input is somewhat subjective and to be refined with
experience.
Feed Intake –
o Indicate an estimate of daily feed intake on a 100% dry matter basis.
Refer to the suggested value below for assistance if you are not sure.
Step 2 – Indicate Nutrients to Balance
The program will calculate the suggested nutrient level for many of the nutrients based on the
inputs above. These suggested values appear in an italic, blue color. As a user you then can
use this suggested value in the formulation by typing in the suggested value as a minimum
target value. You may over-ride the suggested value at your own risk by providing a different
minimum level if you desire. In some cases you may also wish to indicate a maximum level of a
nutrient. It is not necessary however in many cases to provide this maximum level since a least
cost formulator generally does not allow excesses of normally priced feed ingredients.
Formulate Page – Step 1
Ration Name
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Formulate Page – Step 2
Step 3 – Indicate Possible Ingredients for Ration
Step 3 of the Formulate Page shows the feed reference numbers of the feedstuffs that were
chosen from the Feeds Page, the name of the feedstuff, and the Feed Library name. The
feedstuffs can be transferred from the Feeds Page using the “TRANSFER” button on the Feeds
Page or the feed reference number can be typed into this page directly.
A minimum and a maximum inclusion rate of each feedstuff as a percent of ration as-fed
weight can be indicated on this sheet. These minimum and maximum level indicators are
optional.
The check box labeled “Reserve Space for Supplement” when checked allows a ration to be
formulated with the specifications above from Step 2, but reserves 2% in the final ration mix for
the mineral and vitamin supplement in order that the later addition of this supplement to the
ration does not dilute the ration and make it out of spec. This item would be used in the case
where you have forage and grain available, but will need to develop a supplement that has not
yet been defined.
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If you wish to include water into the formulation (the mineral content of the water is the
source of the impact here), check the water button and provide an estimate of water intake in
gallons.
The concentration conversion box is for your own use in the case you need to specify an
additive inclusion rate in terms of a concentration. If you do need to specify a specific
concentration, indicate this concentration in the minimum / maximum boxes.
Feed Reference
Number
Feed name
Minimum levels
Maximum levels
Feed Library
Water Intake Box
Concentration
conversions
Supplement Reserve
spacer
Step 4 – Ration Formulation
Ration formulation is completed in this step.
Least Cost Formulation - is accomplished by selecting the “FORMULATE” button. The program
will attempt to satisfy all your conditions specified in Steps 2 and 3. After the computer
provides your formulated ration you may then manually adjust feed levels where necessary. In
some cases you may wish to generate your own ration or evaluate an existing ration. To do
this, ignore the “FORMULATE” button and simply type in the quantities of each feedstuff.
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SAVE – the “SAVE” button next to the “FORMULATE” button allows the user to save the ration.
This “SAVE” button is the same as the “SAVE” button under the “FILE NAME” list box at the top
in Step 1.
Intake – The intake listed from Step 1 is listed as probable dry matter intake. Above is dry
matter intake provided in the ration.
Ration Cost is provided on a $ per ton basis and a $ per head per day basis.
Lbs as fed – Insert the lbs being fed in this column. After providing the lbs of each ingredient,
select the buttons on top of the column labeled as “V” and “^”. These buttons will adjust the
ration quantities up or down 2% for each “click”.
If you are provided a diet on a weight bases, see example below, the program will evaluate
nutrient composition of the ration. Place the lbs of the ration in the feed quantities column. The
nutrient composition will be listed. If you want to adjust this to lbs being fed use the “V” and
“^” function.
Example – One ton of a Mix
Oats
Corn
Soybean meal, 48%
Molasses
Trace mineralized salt
1,000 lbs
800 lbs
60 lbs
130 lbs
10 lb
Pounds verses percent - The ration feed amounts are converted to a percentage in the next
column. Therefore you may indicate an existing ration in terms of pounds fed and the program
will convert these quantities to a percent. You may want to enter the entire ration into the
computer on a percent basis as well. After providing the percent of each ingredient, for
instance, 80% hay and 20% grain supplement, select the buttons on top of the column labeled
as “V” and “^”. Move these quantities toward the point where the dry matter provided equals
the estimated dry matter intake. By doing this you can accurately evaluate the ration in terms
of what it will provide the animal at the level of feed intake appropriate to the animal.
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Utilization Price $/Unit- is an output which indicates the maximum price of an ingredient in
which it can be used in the ration in a least cost formulation. The unit is how the feed was
described in the feed library – for instance, 2000 lbs/unit means the unit is on a ton basis, 50
lbs/unit would indicate the unit is a bag, etc. If the feedstuff is not needed because other
ingredients provide adequate levels of the nutrient, for instance if the primary energy or
protein source also provides adequate calcium, and limestone is one of the possible feedstuffs
to consider, the program will not provide a utilization price because there is no use for this
extra calcium. However if the calcium is needed and there are a number of calcium sources to
pick from a utilization price will be given and the outgoing price in the feed library must be less
than this given value in order for the program to use it.
Create Mix ‘X’ – is a column in which you may check (x) which feeds in the ration you would like
to put into a feed mix. For instance, you may wish to mix the grain with the vitamin and protein
supplements while feeding the hay separate. In this situation you would place an “X” in the
row containing the grain and an “X” in the row containing the mineral supplement and an “X” in
the row containing the vitamin supplement. Then moving down to Step 5, which is the report
section of the program you could then print out the batch sheet giving the mixing recipe for
these ingredients.
Est. Feed Waste % - is an area where you may indicate estimated feed waste between feed
delivery and consumption. An example of when you would use this would be in the case where
you provide free choice hay in a hay feeder and grain in a feed bunk. The hay will have a
tendency of being wasted as the animal pulls out the hay while the grain will probably be
“licked” up in short order with nothing lost. In this case you may want to give a hay waste
estimate of 20% and no waste with the grain. By doing this, the program can give you a more
realistic estimation of feed cost per day and feed requirements for longer term planning.
Feed nutrients are given then as concentration desired and concentration present. The trace
minerals and vitamins are presented a little differently. They are given as total concentration in
ration, concentration desired in the supplement, and concentration present in a supplement.
These nutrients are presented in this way since the trace mineral and vitamin levels specified in
Step 2 are levels added above what the base feedstuffs in the ration provide. Thus the
concentrations present and desired in the supplement are those added levels above the base
ration provisions and the total would be the base ration provisions plus the amount present
from extra supplementation.
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Price – note that the ration price will be given in the context as to whether the supplement is
included or not in the formulation.
Notes - the notes placed in this area will be saved when the ration is saved. These notes will
also appear on the BATCH and BLEND reports. These notes would be for the user’s information
only.
Formulate Page – Step 4
Quantity adjustment
buttons (2% per click)
Ration dry matter
intake information
Ration price
information
Feed quantities
provided (pounds)
with percent in next
column followed by
utility price column
Create Mix ‘X’ column
Estimated Feed Waste
% column
Statistics
*DCAD = dietary cation – anion difference. Considers sodium, potassium, sulfur, and chlorine
intake.
*Ca:P = ratio of calcium to phosphorus
*Intake Ratio = dry matter intake divided by book estimated dry matter intake. Used as a
reference to determine how well an animal is eating as well as a reference in establishing future
rations in terms of feed intake on a dry matter basis.
*Intake:BW = dry matter intake divided by current body weight. Used as a reference
concerning appetite relative to current body weight.
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*AA:Cr Protein = essential amino acids divided by crude protein content of ration. Relevant
only if the amino acid content of the feeds is recorded in the feed library. A high quality protein
would have a large fraction of amino acids relative to the crude protein content.
*ADF:NDF = rough estimate of fiber digestibility. Generally a smaller fraction indicates higher
digestible fiber source.
Step 5 - Reports
Reports regarding the rations or feed mixes developed using the program can be obtained by
scrolling to the bottom of the Formulate page. Referring to the following figure notice that
there is an area to indicate notes on the ration which is formulated, a designated area labeled
“Ration Charges”, and an area labeled “Blend Charges and finally an area labeled “Reports”
Screen shot of the Report area in REINS
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Ration Charges
The Ration Charges area indicates the cost of the whole complete ration before any storage or
markup dollars are determined, the feed charge coming out of inventory after shrink factors are
taken into account along with any service charges that may also be added on to the feed. The
cost information will also factor in feeding waste amounts specified in Step 4.
a. Indicate the number of horses in your herd to be fed.
b. Batch size = amount of feed to be prepared in pounds.
c. Feed Cost = cost of feedstuffs to the stable (from feed library)
d. Feed Charge = the price put on feeds when delivered to animals (from feed library)
e. Formulation = area to build in consultant fee into feed
f.
Mixing = area to build in feed mixing and processing fees into feed.
g. Delivery = area to build in feed delivery charges of feed.
h. Adjustments = area to credit an individual or apply other charges into feed.
i.
Total charge = total of charges on feed.
j.
Batch size = batch size converted to tons
k. Charge per ton = feed + other charges to be billed.
l.
Cost per ton = feed cost to mill or stable.
m. Feed Markup = Charge divided by cost. Given as percent the feed that has been marked up.
(Includes the other charges.)
n. Initial total feed use per day = quantity of the given feed batch the specified number of horses
will consume in a day.
o. Feed Use per head per day = the quantity of this feed that a single horse will go through in a
day.
p. Batch duration = the number of days this batch of feed will last.
q. Charge per day = total feed charge for the group of animals receiving this feed.
r.
Charge per head per day = the total feed charge on a per head basis.
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Blend Charges
The Blend Charges area is similar to the Ration Charges area, however instead of providing
summary information on the entire ration to be provided, it provides information on those
feedstuffs specified in Step 4 that are to be put into a blend (the grain mix for instance). In
most situations a forage such as hay or pasture comprises the majority of the ration and to this
forage a concentrate or supplement is provided. This concentrate or supplement can be
formulated with the entire ration and then specified as a blend.
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Refer to the Batch Charges area (just explained previously) for an explanation of these
input/output items since they have the same meaning. The difference would be that the
blended items would involve only those items ‘x’ in Step 4. This would pertain to grain mixes,
supplements or combinations of ingredients.
Reports
The Reports area is where the numerous printouts can be generated concerning the ration that
was formulated. The actual Reports are shown in the Appendix to this document with a
description given below.
Batch Sheet & Batch Sheet + $ Blend Sheet & Blend Sheet + $
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These represent 4 different reports that can be generated in standard or metric measurements.
The Batch Sheet would provide the entire ration recipe while the Blend Sheet would provide
the ration recipe for those items selected in Step 4 to be blended. The reports indicate the
feedstuffs involved, the percent of the total recipe before and after feeding waste is accounted
for, the quantity to be added, the total batch weight after the ingredient has been added and if
the reports which include the dollars/cents are selected (+$) the ingredient cost per unit as well
as the batch charge will be displayed. The Batch Sheet +$ is included in the appendix of this
document for reference.
Price Analysis
The Price Analysis report provides information on ingredient inventory costs and out-charges
along with displaying the percent markup for the feeds used in a specified ration. This report
also indicates a utilization price which is the price a given feed needs to be before it is
considered in the least cost solution of the ration.
Ration Summary
The Ration Summary report provides a summary of the feedstuffs used, the quantities of these
feeds, on both a percentage as-fed before feeding waste, after feeding waste and in pounds
after feeding waste. The report then indicates the desired concentrations of nutrients as
specified by the user along with the concentration present. If the present level is below a
warning label appears indicating a low level. If the concentration provided is higher than the
maximum level specified in Step 3 of the program, a warning indicating a high level is present.
The right side of the report then indicates the inputs used describing the animal and some
calculated ration data such as:
Dietary cation – anion balance (DCAB)
Calcium to phosphorus ratio (Ca:P)
Intake Ratio (the dry matter intake / estimated dry matter intake ) – unless you do know actual
feed dry matter intake, use this ratio in balancing the ration trying not to exceed 1 in most
situations
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Intake : Body Wt. ratio which indicates the dry matter intake divided by animal’s current body
weight given as a percent. This value is typically 2% or greater
Amino Acids to Crude Protein ratio (AA:Cr Protein) indicates the percent of the crude protein
that is composed of essential amino acids. This measure is only useful if amino acid information
is recorded in the feed library.
Acid Detergent Fiber to Neutral Detergent Fiber ratio (ADF:NDF) is the percent of the NDF that
is composed of ADF. This provides a crude evaluation of fiber digestibility (the lower the
percentage, the more digestible the fiber source)
.
Adequacy Graphs 1 & 2
These two pages indicate how well the ration satisfies the specified requirements indicated in
the “minimum” inputs of Step 2 of the formulator. Items are only graphed if a minimum level is
indicated.
Specifications
This report indicates the specifications of the user in terms of what feedstuffs are to be used,
the minimum and maximum levels of inclusion of these feedstuffs and the nutrient constraints.
Supplement
The supplement report indicates the nutrients that are still required in this ration, the level that
needs to be provided on a per animal per day basis, and as a concentration in the supplement.
The input in the Reports area of the program under the “SUPPLEMENT” button allows the user
to indicate the amount of space the supplement is allowed in the ration to allow the program to
calculate the needed concentration of the nutrients in the supplement. Generally if only
minerals and vitamins are to be included, reserve a volume of ½ to 1 percent.
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Feed Utilization
The Feed Utilization Report allows the user to estimate feed needs for a given ration for a
specified number of horses over the specified time period. Two scenarios can be printed out
per printout. Select the ration from the drop down list (these rations would be rations that you
have previously calculated and saved), indicate the dates over which the ration will be fed and
the number of animals to which it will be delivered. A two percent feed storage waste will be
factored into this estimate on top of the ration provisions. In the illustration above the ration
selected was called “may14”. It was to be fed to 5 yearlings from May 1 through July. This
report will indicate how much of each ingredient will be needed for this group to make it
though this time frame. The program will make adjustments for increased intake as the animals
grow and builds in 2% feed storage shrink loss.
Intake Summary
The Intake Summary Report shows the actual concentration of nutrients in the ration, the
desired concentration, the actual intake of nutrients (dry matter intake x concentration), the
target nutrient intake (book estimated dry matter intake x desired concentration), the
maximum allowable nutrient intake and the status of the nutrient in the ration.
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Appendix 1 – Conversions
Appendix 1 contains a formula for estimating the current body weight of horses and a number
of quick unit conversion and mixing formulas that can be used at the leisure of the program’s
user.
* Weight Estimation uses the formula (heart girth x heart girth x length)/330 = lbs P.G. Gibbs
and D.D. Householder. Estimating Horse Body Weight with a Simple Formula. Texas A&M
Extension Circula.
* Unit Conversions
* Test Weights
* Concentration to lbs/batch-with carrier
* Blending & dilution – dry ingredients
* Blending & dilution – wet ingredients
* Blending & dilution – considering moisture and nutrient content
* AS-fed to 100% dry matter
* % Shrink
* Concentrations as percent
* Percent to pounds – no carrier
* Concentration in grams per ton
* Parts per million (ppm) to pounds per batch – no carrier
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Appendix 2 – Feed Evaluation
Appendix 2 contains formulas for determining Relative Forage Quality, Relative Feed Value and
a number of equations that can be used to determine digestible energy of a feedstuff.
*Relative feed and forage quality
*Relative feed and forage value
* Digestible energy calculations and conversions
* Elemental conversions
Appendix 3 – Growth and Development
Use Appendix 3 when formulating rations to determine minimum growth requirements for
young animals. A note on the energy implications of body condition score is also included.
Appendix 4 – Starting Line
Appendix 4 gives some rules of thumb used for feeding horses to account for environment,
exercise and weight gain.
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Example Problems
There are three general types of problems the REINS program can be used for with equine
nutritional programming: Ration Formulation, Ration Evaluation and Supplement Formulation.
Example 1: Ration Formulation
For creating an appropriate ration from selected feeds for an animal or group of animals under
similar conditions.
A. Start with the Settings page and pick the stable involved or set up a new stable if
necessary.
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B. Move to the Feeds page –
a. Pick the appropriate feed library from the drop-down list.
b. Add to the feedstuffs listed with the new feeds you intend to use. Remember
that feedstuffs which you use to provide supplemental vitamins and minerals
need to be listed at line “161” or below.
c. Update the existing feedstuffs that you will use with the correct nutrient analysis
values.
d. Select the feedstuff that you wish to use in ration formulation. Do this by
numbering the feeds, in the “Select Feeds” column, in the order that you wish
them to appear on the Formulate page.
e. Select the “Transfer” button.
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C. Formulate page –
a. give the ration a name (on top – “File Name” list box).
b. Step 1 – provide the inputs that describe the animal.
c.
Step 2 – review the suggested nutrient concentrations that the ration should be
formulated to contain. If these values are the concentrations that you wish to
use, indicate these concentrations in the “minimum” and “maximum” columns
where appropriate. The program does not force you to use these values. You
are allowed to use these or your own values. You may also set your own
maximum and minimum limit on any given nutrient.
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d. Step 3 – select the feedstuffs to be used. Note that if the “Transfer” button was used
on the Feeds screen the feeds will already be listed here. Other feeds may be added by
typing in the corresponding feedstuff number here. You may also indicate minimum
and maximum inclusion rates of the given feedstuff in the ration in this area.
*the “reserve space for supplement” box has been check for the ration below in order
to reserve some space in the formulation for a vitamin and mineral supplement since
the feeds selected from the Feed Library at this point will probably be deficient in some
critical minerals and vitamins since I did not include any mineral or vitamin supplements
at this time. Note that with this box checked, a minimum of 2% inclusion for the
supplement appears. This value can be over written by the user. Generally a mineral
and vitamin supplement alone without any energy, protein or fiber involved would be
about 1%.
e. Mineral from water can also be included into the formulation if the water check box
is checked and a water analysis is included in the feed library.
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f. Step 4 – selecting the “Formulate” button will allow for a “least cost” formulation
routine to generate a ration. If the computer can not get a perfect solution, the
program will indicate this with a message box and provide the best answer it can. You
may then use this solution or reformulate.
g. A “Utilization Price” will appear for feeds that were not included because a more
economical alternative is available. A “Feed Waste” estimate can also be factored in as
well to account for different probabilities of feed wasted by the animal in the delivered
ration.
h. When the ration that is formulated does not meet the nutrient constraints the user
will be flagged that the given nutrient is “low” or “high”. Nutrient that you do not
balance for will be excluded at this point.
i. The pounds as-fed values can also be adjusted manually.
j. When the ration is balanced go back to the top of the screen and select the “Save”
button below the ration file name box.
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k. Step 5 – report generation. Select the report that suits your purpose. Be sure that
the ration charges and blend charge information is provided if you want to generate any
blend or batch reports.
*Regarding the example that we just went through, a handy report would be the “Supplement
Report” since this report would indicate the proper mineral and vitamin concentrations in the
supplement that should be fed with the ration. This report provides a shopping guide of what is
needed or directions regarding how a custom mix should be formulated.
*Another report that you may want to use is the “Ration Summary” report that provides
feeding instructions and a summary of nutrient concentrations.
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Example 2: Ration Evaluation
Used for troubleshooting or to evaluate how adequate a given diet is for a given animal. In
many ways these steps are similar to what was described in Example 1- Ration Formulation.
A. Collect details regarding the current ration and current environmental influences
surrounding the animal.
B. Information regarding the Settings page may or may not be accessed, but it is probably
a good idea to use this page to maintain order in the computer’s database.
C. Move to the Feeds screen. You may want to set up a specific feed library for the
problem at hand or access an existing library on the stable involved.
a. In the feed library – provide the nutrient analysis of the different ingredients or
feeds used in the ration being evaluated. For blended feeds or commercial
products, provide the analysis of the blend
b. Be sure to add feeds used as mineral and vitamin supplements below line 160 in
the library.
c. Select the feeds that were fed in the “Select Feeds” column and then select
“Transfer”.
D. Formulate pagea. Go to Step 1 – provide the inputs that describe the animal receiving the ration
that you wish to evaluate.
b. Go to Step 2 – review the suggested nutrient concentrations that the ration
should be formulated to contain.
c. Go to Step 3 – be sure that the feeds that are being used in the ration are listed.
d. Go to Step 4 – type in the pounds of each feedstuff provided on a per head per
day basis.
e. Now look and see if the resulting concentrations that are present are able to
match what is desired. At this same time compare the quantity of dry matter fed
to the probable quantity of dry matter the animal will consume. With this
information a reasonable assessment of the ration can be made.
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Example 3: Supplement Formulation
In most cases the base feeds in the ration may not supply everything that you will need to fulfill
all of the requirements to the preferred levels. To address this situation a supplement is
formulated and provided. The quantity of supplement needed is a function of what needs to be
supplied. Generally if the supplement is to balance a mineral and vitamin requirement, an
inclusion rate of 1 to 2 percent of the entire ration will suffice. If the supplement is to supply
some protein and/or energy as well, the inclusion rate becomes quite variable and may go as
high as 50%, but usually will be closer to the 5 or 10 percent range. The following example will
use the problem from Example 1 as the reference ration which requires a supplement.
Referring to this ration, note that the base ration is composed of corn, distillers grain and hay
some minerals and vitamins are short as well as a bit of energy.
A. Print out the Supplement Report in Step 5 on the Formulate screen once the base ration
is entered and saved. This report indicates where further supplementation is needed in
terms of quantity per head per day and concentration of the nutrient in the supplement.
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B. Notice what nutrients are needed and the concentrations in which they are needed. If
the concentrations are higher than what is probably available from an ingredient source
you may need to return to Step 5 of the Formulate screen and allow for a greater
inclusion rate, for instance change the 2% inclusion rate to 5 %. Then print this report
again.
C. With this information you may shop around for a commercial supplement that is
already packaged and available that would be a good match to what is required or if
there is not anything that is available you may use this report as the guideline for
formulating a “custom” supplement.
Note that it is very difficult to find the perfect supplement or blend the perfect custom
mix since the ingredients which are available contain many other substances other than
the exact nutrient that you need. The main concept to keep in mind in this process is to
supply nutrients in a manner that takes care of the minimum levels without exceeding
the maximums in the “window” of tolerance.
D. To make the “custom” mix, if this is what is required, print off the Supplement report
and return to Step 2 of the Formulate screen.
E. Clear out all of the previous inputs and now with the Supplement sheet values indicate
the minimum concentrations in Step 2 as equal to the supplement concentrations from
the Supplement report.
F. Move to Step 3 and indicate the ingredients that you will use. You may use a different
Feed Library from what was used in developing the base ration.
G. Move to Step 4 and formulate the supplement. You may do this manually or allow the
Formulate button to calculate this supplement.
H. With the supplement that is created finished, go to the top of the Formulate screen and
provide a name for this supplement in the File Name list box and then select “Save”.
I. A batch report which provides mixing instructions can be printed out in the reports area
of Step 5.
J. The name and nutrient analysis of this custom supplement can be transferred to a feed
library for use in later rations.
K. Now you may wish to restore your previously created base ration and include the
supplement as part of this ration. Return to the top of the Formulate screen and select
the ration (assuming you saved it already) from the drop down list and then select
“Restore”.
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L. Go to the Feeds screen and notice that the feed in the ration are already numbered.
Now also number the supplement and select the Transfer button to include this
supplement in the ration.
M. On the Formulate screen in Step 4 indicate the quantity of this supplement that you
need to feed, resave the ration, print out the appropriate reports and the job is done.
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Example 4 - Additional Ration Formulation Example Problem
A horse owner has asked you to evaluate the current ration he is feeding his horses. He owns
five mature horses that are lightly exercised. The concentrate mix he is feeding is listed below.
The hay he is feeding is mixed grass-legume hay priced at $200/ton.
Corn-cracked
780 lbs
$148/ton
Oats
1030 lbs
$276/ton
Molasses sugarcane
130 lbs
$520/ton
Soybean Meal, 48%
60 lbs
$540/ton
First go to – Feeds Page
On the feeds page insert the price for each ingredient. Double click on each of the feed
ingredients above. Click transfer which will transfer the feeds to the formulate page.
Formulate Page
Step One
The inputs for the horse are Animal Type = Horse, Gender = Mare, Age = Mature, Body
Condition Score = 6, Desired BCS change/month = Maintain, Exercise = Light, Reproductive
Activity = None, Current Body Weight = 1100, Growth = 0, Average temperature = 33,
Maintenance Adjustment = 0. The program recommends feeding 19.3 lbs so round the value
and place 19 for intake.
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Step 2
Click “Use suggestions” and the minimum requirements will be filled in for each nutrient.
Step 3 – Since we are analyzing a diet and not designing one, we can move to Step 4, the
Output.
Step 4 - Output
• List the following weights under lbs as fed. The mix consists of 780 lbs corn-cracked,
130 lbs molasses, 1030 lbs oats and 60 lbs soybean meal, 48%.
• Click the box next to the weight telling the program these feeds will be used in a mix.
• Use the “V” and decrease the intake of this mix to 6 lbs. Look next to intake – dry
matter intake provided in lbs.
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User’s Guide
Then add 15 lbs under lbs as fed to the hay being fed.
Evaluating the Ration
a) Evaluate the statistics.
b) Click View next to DE to evaluate the intake summary of energy and fiber. The output is shown
below. If you wanted to evaluate the intake summary of other nutrients click view next to amino
acids, minerals and vitamins.
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Reports
Ration Summary
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Adequacy Graph – Click to view. An example of the Energy and Protein graph is shown below. Click close
and the subsequent graphs will appear.
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Supplement
Since the ration is low in nutrients especially Na and Cl it is best to feed a supplement that complements
the current ration. Place 1% in supplement being fed at following rate of diet. Click supplement. The
supplement sheet is shown below. The supplement sheet informs you that at a feeding rate of 1% you
will need the items listed at the quantities listed to meet the horse’s requirement. You could take this to
a feed mill to mix with your ration so that the ration is balanced. Or you could use this to design your
own supplement.
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Ration and Blend Charges
You own five horses and have one ton of the grain mix made at a time. Under batch place 5 horses and
2000 lbs in the boxes. There are no other charges. Under blend mix place 5 horses and 2000 lbs. There is
a $5 charge for mixing and a $15 trip charge.
Reports
Ration Charges + $
To view the blend charges click on blend or blend + $.
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References
Equi-analytical laboratories, 730 Warren Road, Ithaca, New York 14850.
Gibbs, P. G. and D.D. Householder. Estimating Horse Body Weight with a Simple Formula. Texas A&M
Extension Circular.
NRC. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Horses. 6th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press. Washington, D.C.
NRC.
Nutrient Requirements of Swine.
Natl. Acad. Press. Washington, D.C.
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