FEED FORMULATION SOFTWARE SPESFEED supply and support two different feed formulation systems, each with their own advantages. We offer SPESFEED EXPRESS which is a small but easy to use system. It was designed with technical advisory staff and small integrators in mind. It is limited in that it is a single user system, has a restricted number of nutrients and diets that can be considered and has no Multi-Mix facility.
Excel Base Poultry Feed Formulation Software. Least cost Feed Formulation software for the poultry farmer, nutritionist, feed manufacturers, etc. FEED FORMULATION SOFTWARE SPESFEED supply and support two different feed formulation systems, each with their own advantages. We offer SPESFEED EXPRESS which is a small but easy to use system.
We market Format International’s range of software. Format is focused at large, sophisticated users.
Format is a multi-user system which allows for the manipulation of large data bases. It also allows for Multi-Mix and Global-Mix formulation. TO FIND OUT WHICH ONE SUITS YOUR APPLICATION.
Summary The paper highlights the different feed formulation softwares for least cost formulation of livestock and animals, where the comparison of techniques is done based on different aspects like data collection, software used, price, scope and limitations. Feed formulation requires large amount of data about the composition of feeds, environment conditions, and availability of feeds. Development of Software’s for feed formulations is changing with change in computer. With advancement of technology, the feed formulation can be calculated for ‘n’ number of feedstuff but still Linear Programming is used as base for mathematical modelling, where uses of non- linear programming is very less. Maximum number of feed formulation software’s is developed to select the feeds for formulation within budget of the farmers or dairy industry.
Keywords: Feed Formulation Software; Linear Programming; Mathematical Modelling; Livestock and Animal. Introduction Livestock plays an important role in the Indian economy. Livestock sector recorded growth in value of output about 4.8% per annum. The eleventh five year plan expected higher growth in twelfth five year plan. The increased demand for protein foods in the country is the main driver for growth, which also includes small stakeholders and landless farmers, account for major share in ownership of livestock which has recorded 5%growth per annum previously, can grow up to 6% per annum (Annual Report 2015-2016). Feed formulation is one of the important aspects of animal feed industry.
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Balancing the feedstuffs is big challenge faced by the industries when the costumers and requirement increases. Development of animal feed industry depends upon the quality of feed and quality of feed is based upon the raw material used to formulate feed(ration). Ration is the total amount of feed given to the animal on a daily basis while, ration formulation can be defined as the process by which different ingredients are combined in a proportion necessary to provide the animal with proper amount of nutrients needed at a particular stage of production,(Afolayan and Afolayan 2008).
The first ever computer used for feed formulation was made in 1951 when F.V. Waugh published a paper titled “The Minimum-Cost Dairy Feed”. Dent & Casey (1967) authored the first published book on computer-based formulation entitled as “Linear Programming and Animal Nutrition.” Computers used by feed industry for practical feed formulation started in the year 1970s when computers were affordable for large industries. Later, use of computers increased for feed formulation in the 1980s when personal computers became commercially available (A. Victor Suresh, 2016). In the present age, feed formulation without the use of computers is very rare.
This paper gives the comparison of 6 different feed formulation software’s based on specific inputs. With the increase in capabilities of computers, the calculation time of feed formulation can be minimized.
There are many conventional and non-conventional methods of feed formulation. Conventional methods are: Simultaneous equation method, trial-and-error method, two by two matrix method and square method. After this, new methods like linear programming, stochastic programming, goal programming, least-cost formulation and non-linear programming came into effect (Pratiksha Saxena 2010). Selecting appropriate method depends upon the objective for which feed is formulated for example, minimising the cost or maximizing milk yield.
For feed formulation, various feed standard tables should be considered for different livestock. It was found that there are different categories of livestock.
In case of cattle or buffalo, it is categorized in three ways: Dry animals with pregnancy; Animals in milk and Milk animal with pregnancy. Similarly, other poultry and livestock animals are categorised. Depending upon the category of the animal, age and weight, the requirement of nutrients vary. One of the major problems while formulating any mathematical model or linear model is dealing with constraints. Slight variation in the constraint makes a lot of difference in the cost of the feedstuff.
Therefore, finding correct values of constraints are very important, which can be easily done by using nutrient requirement software’s developed by single click (Vishal Patil et. The major challenge faced by animal feed industry is the shortage of feed and fodder, breed improvement, animal disease, skill and quality service to the farmer in order to improve the productivity. Feed Formulation Software There are various software which are developed for feed formulation of cattle, buffalo, pig, poultry etc. Some of these are discussed below. 2.1 Kasturi Feed Formulation FEED FORMULATION (www.kasturi.info/ feed.htm) is simple and practical feed formulation software, is developed by K. Chandra Shekhar in the year 2002. It is meant for least cost feed formulation with user friendly interface.
A person with basic knowledge can easily use this software. It comes with two functions, Optimize: where it uses liner programming to optimize feed formulation at least cost and Analyse: If we don’t want least cost formulation but only want to know the nutrient values, this will calculate the Nutrients Values and the Formula Cost on entering the ingredients quantity and rate. It is suitable for Egg Producers, Broilers, Nutritionist, Hatcheries, Feed Manufacturers, etc. This software can easily be downloaded from the internet free of cost and without a validity period. It comes with a user manual by which the two functions can be performed without any confusion.