| Formulate2 Users Say ... |
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Formulate2 at Kansas State University ... In general, I found Formulate2 to be an extremely powerful, adaptable, and well-designed tool for formulating dairy rations of all types. With a short introduction to the program, students were able to navigate effectively and focus on the nutrition concepts rather than the program. Just as importantly, whenever I ran into any difficulties, I was able to get support and trouble-shooting advice very quickly. In combination with the 2001 NRC and the help menu included with the program, this may be the best supported program available to dairy nutritionists. It is exceedingly rare to be able to find a single individual capable of trouble-shooting both technical problems and ration formulation issues! I highly recommend Formulate2 for use in the classroom, and with the tools included for managing multiple herds, I suspect that it would be even more valuable for consultants in the field. Barry Bradford, PhD Click here for full testimonial Using Formulate2 for Windows I ... used "F2" (Formulate2) for optimizing an example ration that included distiller's grain when no lysine restraint was used. But, of course with the lysine restraint in place and high enough, distiller's grain left the ration. Several people asked about F2. Thank you for F2, it helped put the talk together. "Distillers is a relatively good buy of metabolizable protein in the current market. However, if we want to improve the quality of metabolizable protein in the ration by setting a minimum metabolizable lysine, DG is not a good choice of ingredients. The reason for wanting to improve the quality of metabolizable protein in the ration is to produce more milk protein. Schwab et al. (2003) demonstrated that we can produce more milk protein by increasing the quality of metabolizable protein. By using Formulate2 Dairy Ration Optimizer (Central Valley Nutritional Associates, Visalia Ca; www.formulate2.com version 5.0 based on the NRC 2001), we can demonstrate decreased utilization of DG by increasing the minimum level of metabolizable lysine. In this exercise, metabolizable protein, rumen degradable protein and net energy for milk is set according to NRC (2001) requirements. The DM intake is the NRC estimate. Table 3 shows the specifications used for these optimizations." (Proceedings Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference; April 24 and 25, 2007 pg 107) Follow up email from Dr. Epley: "There is an error in Table 4 in the paper. Under the column "No Minimum Lysine", the "Total feed cost, $/day" should be $4.91. And, the "Net after feed cost, $/day" should be $8.11. This gives us a 55 cent per cow advantage for the ration with the metabolizable lysine set at 6.3.% (of MP). Also, it may be interesting to note that we actually do feed the ration with the metabolizable lysine set at 6.3% (of MP) to a herd of real live cows. And, we do get close to 100 lbs of milk with a 3.75% milk fat and 3.05% milk protein." Roger Epley, Ph.D. office 920-722-1850 Using Formulate2 for Windows ... Formulate2 and I are getting along pretty well. I'm playing with the customized reports to consolidate the information I want to use when doing a diet. I really appreciate its flexibility...I'll be glad to give the program and your support a ringing endorsement if anyone contacts me...Thanks again for all your help! Using Formulate2 for Windows In an industry that is constantly changing, Formulate2 has saved me time and made managing multiple dairies with varying concerns much easier. I'm able to use NRC, 1989 or 2001 as the basis for formulation, including the latest advances for addressing metabolizable AA requirements. It allows me to least cost any ingredient in the diet and will even generate a ration based on cost and/or nutrient constraints. Load sheets, ration analyses and production targeting are a few of the features that I now lean on. This is any busy nutritionist's dream! Using DOS Version and Windows Version Gary: Congratulations on an excellent - professional program and I look forward to start working with it. I will keep you informed on progress. Gary Boyett, PAS Follow up comments on Windows version: "...it's fast, quick, efficient, dynamic - I love it!" Used DOS Version - currently using Windows Version We've used Formulate 2 for several years and have enjoyed great success with the program. At times it has saved our sanity. We've balanced rations long hand and with other ration programs, but they haven't worked nearly as well. Formulate2 thinks like we do. The cows can eat the ration and milk on the ration formulated, unlike other programs that we've tried. It always drove us crazy to have a ration balanced that our cows were physically unable to eat. We like that this program can be used on large and small breeds and treats them individually. Currently our herd of Jersey cows are milking at 17,676 actual pounds of milk with 4.5% fat and 3.4% protein on 2 times a day milking. We'd like to thank CVNA for putting out such a high quality and usable program. It is truly effective! Sincerely, |
Reviewers Say ... |
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I have had the opportunity of reviewing Formulate2. It is an excellent program that has expanded capabilities for formulation of dairy rations. In addition to assessing the various energy, protein and fiber contents of a ration, it also allows for the assessment of individual amino acids and has many features that should make it a popular program with nutritionists and management experts in the feed industry. Dr. Richard O. Kellems Ph.D. |