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Instant Ration Replication

Dairy Ration Software and Instant Record Replication

The basis of instant record replication is intrinsic to the method which Formulate2 utilizes to stores its data. Because Formulate2 ration software is a relational database system, data is stored as records in tables. This method of storage enables instant record replication by simply creating a new table record from an existing one.

In addition, since ration records and feed libraries are linked by data contained in the ration record - including imported feed items - that link and the imported data are also inherited by the replicated record.

This means that creating multiple rations for a complete feeding program is essentially no more involved than creating a single ration record then replicating it.

Instant Record Replication

Each ration or feed record you create is identified by a unique record number distinguishing it from all other records. Replicating a ration record requires no more than entering a new record number and clicking on the toolbar Add button.

The scenario below illustrates how simple it is to create multiple rations.

Here's What You Do ...

Below is a screen image of an existing ration record that is fully functional. It already contains feed items imported from the linked library and nutrient and feed constraints have been set. The information on the right hand side of the record shows that an optimization of the ration has already been run.

RationRecord

When creating a new set of ration records the following method is recommended.

  1. Assign a base ID number to the producer such as 100. Each ration you create for the producer will have its own unique
    identifier to the right of the decimal point.
2. Create the ration for the top producing animals first identifying it with the number 100.01.
3. Link it to the desired ration library and from the linked library, import the feeds and other items you will require.
4. Enter the animal and production inputs
5. Set the feed and nutrient constraints.
6. Formulate the ration as needed to get the desired result.

(Using the numbering scenario described above will cause all records for a given producer to be store contiguously in the table indexes making future retrieval of the records extremely quick.)

Here's How It Works ...

Once this ration is completed, simply click on the record number field, change the record number and click on the toolbar Add button.

AddingRecord

When the Add button is clicked, the new record is created and the table index is updated (don't blink when you click the Add button or you'll completely miss the "Updating Indexes" message).

As soon as the record is created, it is fully functional.

In this illustration we started with a "top cow" ration with the record number 100.01 and from it created a duplicate record with the number 100.02. Continuing the process to create additional records is just a matter of repeating the steps until you've created the number of records you require.

Essentially, the first record will act as a "template" for the remaining rations in the feeding program. Instant replication allows you to "clone" this record to create as many rations as needed. All you will need to do with each new record is adjust the required inputs and identifying information and reset feed and nutrient constraints in a manner appropriate to the given feeding group.

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