Computer Applications in Beef
Nutrition
Dan Loy
Iowa State University
An Sc 519

Why computer formulation?
 Allow simultaneous diet formulation using complex nutrient models
– Metabolizable protein systems
– Net energy
– Dry matter intake predictions
– Factorial requirements of nutrients requiring production estimates

Types of beef nutrition computer programs
 Ration balancing
– automates hand calculation
 Ration analysis
– evaluates ration for nutritional adequacy
 Least cost formulation
– linear programming to minimize costs within nutritional constraints

Linear Programming --
Minimization
Unit Nutrient/Unit Feed
Nutrient Ingred X1 Ingred X2 Requiremt
Calcium 1 1 10
Protein 3
Calories 1
1
Cost per Unit of Feed
$1
6
$2
15
15

Minimization Model
 Minimize cost = $1X
1
+ $2X
2
 Subject to:
 1X
1
 3X
1
 1X
1
+ 1X
+1X
2
2
>=10 (Calcium)
>=15 (Protein)
+6X
2
>=15 (Calories)
 And
 X
1
>=0, X
2
>=0

15
10
X
2
(0,15)
3X
1
+ 1X
2
= 15
Feasible
Region
(2.5,7.5)
1X
1
+ 1X
2
= 10
5
5
(9,1)
10
1X
1
+ 6X
2
= 15
(15,0)
X
1
15

15
X
2
(0,15)
10
5
(2.5,7.5)
5
Feasible
Region
Cost =$1X
1
+ $2X
2
=$1(9) + $2(1) = $11
SOLUTION
(9,1)
10
(15,0)
X
1
15

ISU Beef Management Software
 MCS Spreadsheet Series
– A series of six worksheet templates to aid in beef management decisions
 Beef Feedlot Monitoring Program
– computerized feedlot management and closeout analysis

Beef Feedlot Ration Analysis
(MCS-7)
 Evaluates rations and projects performance for growing cattle
 Calculates ADG, cost of gain, ration adequacy
 Rations adjusted by trial and error

Beef Cow Ration Analysis
(MCS-13)
 Evaluates ration for beef cow herds
 Corrects for cow size, milk production, environment and condition

Cowculator
 OSU Beef Cow Ration Balancer
 Similar to MCS-13

Costs and Returns to Beef Cattle
Feeding (MCS-14)
 Evaluates feeding and purchase decisions in a budget format
 Evaluates alternative feed prices, cattle types and weights, market price and risk, market timeliness and other factors on profitability

Beef Feedlot Monitoring
Program
 Tracks performance and cost of individual pens of cattle
 Aides in making mid-course corrections in feeding and management
 Develops close-out analysis for comparison
 Tracks feed inventory
 Develops billings for custom-fed cattle

Beef Management Software with
Nutritional Components
 Simulation Software
– MCS-14
– Oklahoma State BEEFGAIN
 Monitoring of performance
– ISU Beef Feedlot Performance and Cost
Monitoring

TAURUS
 Least cost ration formulation for beef cattle
 Developed at University of California -
Davis
 Version 2.0 is latest version
– Version 1.1 is on disk