Difference between revisions of "Breedcow+ Breedcow"
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The AECalc worksheet is used to define the average grazing pressure exerted by the herd being modelled. The worksheet requires users to: | The AECalc worksheet is used to define the average grazing pressure exerted by the herd being modelled. The worksheet requires users to: | ||
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| − | + | *identify the starting weight and annual weight gain for all classes of livestock in the herd, except for mature cows and bulls which require just an average weight for the class for the year entered as the same opening and closing weight | |
| − | + | *specify the month of peak calving and the month of sale of each livestock class | |
| + | *specify the ages of sale cattle in months and their weights at sale | ||
The calving peak month in AECalc is used to match the various classes of cattle to their birthdays. In this way, deaths, weaning rates and variable costs can be applied from birthday to birthday for livestock classes, i.e. from 12-24 months, 24-36 months etc. Weaners are an exception, since they are rated from 5 months (when they cease to be rated as calves) until 12 months. The other exception is sale cattle, which are included in the model from their “birthday” until the expected average sale month and given a rating in adult equivalents representing only that part of the year. | The calving peak month in AECalc is used to match the various classes of cattle to their birthdays. In this way, deaths, weaning rates and variable costs can be applied from birthday to birthday for livestock classes, i.e. from 12-24 months, 24-36 months etc. Weaners are an exception, since they are rated from 5 months (when they cease to be rated as calves) until 12 months. The other exception is sale cattle, which are included in the model from their “birthday” until the expected average sale month and given a rating in adult equivalents representing only that part of the year. | ||
Revision as of 22:25, 10 August 2020
Entering data in the Breedcow+ Breedcow worksheet
The AECalc worksheet is used to define the average grazing pressure exerted by the herd being modelled. The worksheet requires users to:
- identify the starting weight and annual weight gain for all classes of livestock in the herd, except for mature cows and bulls which require just an average weight for the class for the year entered as the same opening and closing weight
- specify the month of peak calving and the month of sale of each livestock class
- specify the ages of sale cattle in months and their weights at sale
The calving peak month in AECalc is used to match the various classes of cattle to their birthdays. In this way, deaths, weaning rates and variable costs can be applied from birthday to birthday for livestock classes, i.e. from 12-24 months, 24-36 months etc. Weaners are an exception, since they are rated from 5 months (when they cease to be rated as calves) until 12 months. The other exception is sale cattle, which are included in the model from their “birthday” until the expected average sale month and given a rating in adult equivalents representing only that part of the year.
Ensure that weights on growing cattle correspond to the ages at the start and end of the period selected. Mature cows and bulls held within the herd are mostly at a mature body size and weight and can use the same weight for the "lowest" and "highest" value in the AECalc table, with this weight representing an average across the group throughout the year.
It is recommended that the "weight at sale" used in AECalc is the weight of sale cattle in the paddock. The expected weight at sale or curfew weights can be entered later in the Prices worksheet by reducing the paddock sale weights transferred in from the AECalc sheet by an estimated percentage weight loss.