LWG Calculator
Summary
Please note that the information in this wiki page is a work in progress and is currently incomplete, your patience is appreciated. In the meantime do not hesitate to contact the team if you require assistance.
The LWG Calculator (online version 1.0) is used to estimate live weight gain (LWG) in dry cattle using the nutritional information of the feed base. The tool is based around the principle of every animal having a potential live weight gain equal to their total metabolisable energy (ME) intake minus their ME requirement for maintenance (MEm) multiplied by an efficiency factor that is measured through the culmination of variables (inputs and functions) described in this wiki.
- The results from the tool are often used in the Bullocks or Dry Cattle Trading tools where the scenario being tested involves ration feeding.
Important Note: Live weight gain calculations are based on the 'Nutrient Requirements of Domesticated Animals' (CSIRO, 2007) publication which represents a revision of the report ‘Feeding Standards for Australian Livestock. Ruminants’ that was issued in 1990 by CSIRO Publishing in conjunction with the Standing Committee on Agriculture. The calculator has been developed by Agricultural Economists D. Denny and T. Moravek of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (2019). This calculator is not for use in every situation. Please refer to either the information in this wiki, in the aforementioned publication, or by contacting Department of Agriculture and Fisheries staff to use it appropriately.
Using the LWG Calculator
The program is located with the Breedcow and Dynama Software, within the Tools tab, which can be accessed after registering or logging in to use the free software.
- A new scenario can be created by clicking the Save button beside a blank yellow name bar and can be named by typing in the yellow bar. This scenario or previously created scenarios can be edited by clicking the Open button.
- To open an example scenario click the Copy button beside the example scenario and it will be copied into your scenario list where it can be opened as your own scenario.
- A scenario can be shared with another user by clicking the Share button then entering in the email address for the user you wish to share it with. Note that this must be the email they have used to register their account with at https://breedcowdynama.com.au the shared scenario will appear in their scenarios list for the relevant program.
Click on one of the following links to go through information or an example of using the LWG Calculator.