Abstract

CERDAS-RAMIREZ, Roberto. Formulating rations for dairy and beef cattle.: Development of a practical module for technician and livestock students of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. InterSedes [online]. 2013, vol.14, n.29, pp.133-158. ISSN 2215-2458.

This model for formulating rations was developed through the investigation project: "Forage Germplasm for Guanacaste."It is a practical tool for elaborating beef and dairy cattle feed ration programs for technicians and university students in the animal production course at the University of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste,. In Guanacaste, most farms produce livestock on open rangeland. Although some farmers supplement animal feed throughout specific times of the year to compensate, this is done without regard for ration balance. In searching for intensive production, several strict constraints arise, such as the amount of production and growth required which increase the amount of feed used and demand for greater efficiency in the process. Another important objective in the formulation of total balanced rations is to reduce the amount of environmental contamination caused by effluents of intensive animal production systems. More important than the nutrient content is to estimate, as precisely as possible, the maximum amount of feed and nutrients the cattle can intake considering their physiological condition, quality of feed and environmental effects. There are several methods to formulate total balanced rations for animals including manual calculations, algebraic equations, Pearson square, Excel spreadsheets, specific application software, and least-cost solutions applying Excel's Solver module.

Keywords : balanced rations; nutrient requirements; feed composition; least-cost.

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