Example one: Feed-on steers 480 to 580kg
Copy the example scenario (Example one: Feed-one steers 480 to 580kg) from the examples list and open the scenario, this will illustrate how the program may be used in the following example.
Note: Data can be entered or changed in the cells with a yellow background, while the results are displayed in the locked blue cells.
Example one describes taking feed-on steers through from 480 to 580kg live weight on a grain ration. The diet is fed on a ratio of 80:20 grain (80%) to roughage/grass (20%) after a ramp up time of 14 days to avoid acidosis.
In this example there are two different feeds, the grain ration and the roughage/grass portion.
There are two correct ways to approach this scenario.
- The first way, which will be used in this example, involves the user entering the information for each feed separately and save each scenario in the LWG calculator summary section, then use the Feed cost calculator to calculate the combined diet LWG and feed consumed.
- The second way is to enter the information of the combined diet as one scenario by using weighted averages of the information about each feed.
Begin the scenario by typing in the description box an identifiable title i.e. steers 480-580kg (Diet 80:20 grain and roughage) GRAIN portion
Then start entering the data starting with the Primary inputs.
- Metabolisable energy (ME): The grain ration in this example has a ME of 11.32MJ/kg of dry matter. Enter 11.32 in the cell.
- Animal live weight (W): The starting weight is 480kg and target weight is 580kg so enter the mid point of 530kg to reflect an average weight over the time.
- Dry matter digestibility (DMD): The grain portion of the ration has a DMD of 89%
- Animal age in years: In the example the animal is approximately 3 years old.
The next step is the Secondary inputs. Most of these will not be changed from the blank example.
Follow these links for more examples of using this calculator:
Introduction to the LWG Calculator: the functionality, assumptions & definitions