An Introduction to Least-Cost Feed Formulation Software
Published:October 25, 2006
Summary
Purpose The following article is a primer on least-cost formulation. While explaining the fundamentals of least-cost formulation, the author also goes over more advanced features such as shadow prices, price maps and nutrient factoring. This is a must-read for those who want a concise introduction to least-cost formulation. In the not so distant past, feed manufacturers used to balance ...
The problem at small and medium farmers are: 1. They have no access to facilities to analyze nutrient contain of any particular ingredient. 2. Usually the least cost feed formulation software are expensive and not affordable.
Author may endavour to customize for small and medium level farmers keeping in view their requirements and cost. Many features included in most soft wares are not required for them.
The price on their website is $1295.00 for the Proffesional version (which makes him not so cost efective for small farms) and $495.00 for Standard version.
There is an alternative software for small farmers, and is the cheapest least cost formulation software on the market, at the moment is in spanish but is easy o learn, there is a freeware version and a demo version (price 90 US), is based in excel with advance programming. It can be downloaded in our company´s web page. I'm the developer of the program, so if you need assistance or more information please let me know.
A very enlightening article about feed formulation software. The major challenges that limit profitability in the animal industry is the fluctuation in feed prices . This worsen more during adverse wether conditions noting that bothman and animals compete oftenly for the same ingredients. The least cost formulations come in hand in such time as alternatertives can be sought to bridge the gaps.
Hi Rossi, I have read your article and the feed formulation software will be a good tool for teaching feeds and feeding. If I may not be asking for too much from you, I will appreciate a free copy of the software on "An introduction to Least cost feed formulation” for teaching purposes. On the alternative, where can I get it to buy? Look forward to a reply
for least cost formulation, I would go for MS Excel. It works magic for me. All these programmes used are nice, but for Excel its simple and anyone can master it.
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