Proximate values (DM and nutritive value i.e. It is a linear programme based model that includes the following stepwise approach: i e.Now, the computer will take the least cost feed ingredients for formulating least cost ration.Similarly, amount of certain feed ingredients in the ration can be fixed like fish meal (say 10 %) and mineral mixture (say 2 %). Give instructions to the computer regarding the amount of feed ingredients (for example say DM of 20 kg or DCP of 1.5 kg).Give instructions to the computer for the type of ration desired depending upon the requirements of animal (growth, maintenance, production, reproduction, work or starter, grower, layer etc high energy, high protein, low energy, low protein etc.).Feed the computer with the cost of all available feed ingredients.Enlist the components of each ingredient.List all the available feeds, fodders and other available ingredients.It is also user friendly as minimum computer skills are required. MS-Excel comes bundled with MS-Office and hence no extra cost is involved by the use of this method. In this paper we have presented a method for formulating least cost ration using Solver in MS-Excel. Many entrepreneurs have come out with different feed formulation software for commercial use often limited by high costs. Computers have provided affordable feed formulation solutions to the feed industry. Least cost ration formulation using linear programming (LP) is an ideal approach to optimize cost of feed without compromising on the quality of feed using local feeds.Īdvancements in computer technology, mathematical modeling and animal nutrition have resulted in vast improvements in the last 20-25 years. It is the ration containing all essential nutrients that are needed to meet the requirements of the animal (growth, maintenance, production, reproduction, work etc.) without affecting quality and with least cost. A least cost ration incorporates all the available feedstuffs having good nutritive value and being available at a reasonable low cost.It can also be defined as an economic ration for animal production (dairy, beef, sheep, goats, poultry etc.) that provides nutrients in balanced proportion with lowest possible cost per kg or 100 kg.It can be thus understood that decreasing the costs of feed and feeding is the most important factor in achieving quality as well as economical production. The costs of feed and feeding vary from 50 to 80% in the operating costs depending in the operating area in animal production (beef, dairy, egg). Obtaining animal products at desired quality and amounts from farm animals is only possible with a balanced and sufficient diet. Former Assistant Research Scientist at Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd ( AMUL )
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March 2023
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