Agriculture and Natural Resources

FSA3080

Beef Cattle Nutrition Series

Part 4: Formulating Rations

Shane Gadberry The final step of beef cattle Pearson Square
Associate Professor ­ nutrition is correcting nutrient defi­
Animal Science ciencies. The first approach to correct The following example will help in
nutrient deficiencies is to establish an understanding the first method used.
accurate description of the cattle The method illustrated is called a
being fed. This topic was discussed Pearson Square. A ration will be
in Establishing Nutritional balanced for a 500-pound steer calf
Requirements (FSA3079). Once an with a desired gain of two pounds per
accurate description of the cattle is day. The calf is expected to weigh
established, their nutrient require­ 1,200 pounds at finishing. The
ments can then be determined from requirements are shown in Table 1
nutrient requirement tables. and also in Nutrient Requirement
Tables (MP391), which is available at
The next step is to determine the county Extension offices.
feeds available for use. List their
composition on a dry matter basis Feeds available and their
from a composition table or a chemical composition are shown in Table 2.
analysis. Now the amounts of the Energy or TDN will be the first nutrient
feeds necessary to balance the ration balanced for, as the greatest amount of
can be determined. feed goes to satisfy energy needs.

Three common methods to The animal requires a 68 percent

ration balancing include the Pearson TDN ration. To use the Pearson
Square, substitution formulation and Square method, place the value 68 in
computer-assisted formulation based the center of the square. Place the
on substitution or linear programming TDN values of fescue and shelled corn
for least-cost formulation. on the left diagonals of the square and

Table 1. Nutrient Requirements for a 500-lb Steer (1,200 lb. at Finishing, ADG = 2.0) 1, 2

Dry Matter Protein TDN Calcium Phosphorus

lb lb % lb % lb % lb %
12.6 1.63 12.9 8.6 68 0.067 0.53 0.033 0.26
1 Percentage of nutrient is based on percent of diet, dry matter basis.
2 1996 Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle

Arkansas Is Table 2. Nutrient Composition of Various Feedstuffs, Dry Matter Basis

Our Campus Feed % Dry Matter % TDN % Protein % Ca %P
Fescue Hay 90 52 10.0 0.30 0.26
Shelled Corn 90 90 9.8 0.03 0.32
Visit our web site at: Soybean Meal 89 84 49.9 0.40 0.71
[Link]

University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating
subtract across the diagonal, smallest number from parts of the ration (40). Divide each number on the
largest. Now, add the two numbers on the right-hand right diagonal (37 and 3) by the total parts in the
side of the square. These numbers mean that 22 parts ration (40) to determine the percentage of the
of fescue and 16 parts of corn will give a 68 percent mixture composed of fescue and shelled corn (92.5%)
TDN mixture. and soybean meal (7.5%).

Fescue/Shelled Corn Mix

There are 38 total parts in the ration. Divide the

two numbers on the right side of the square by the
total to determine the preliminary percentage of Now, determine the pounds of dry matter each
fescue and corn in the ration. feed ingredient contributes to the total. This is done
by multiplying the pounds of daily dry matter
Fescue 22 ÷ 38 = 0.58 (58%)
consumed (12.6 from Table 1) by the percentage each
Corn 16 ÷ 38 = 0.42 (42%)
ingredient contributes to the total. The protein
The next step is to calculate the percentage of supplement, in this case soybean meal, must be
crude protein in the fescue/shelled corn mixture and calculated first.
compare with the animal’s requirement. If the require­
ment is met or exceeded, the ration is balanced. If the Daily dry x % Soybean = Soybean meal
requirement is not met, protein supplementation and matter intake meal dry matter
additional balancing are needed. 12.6 pounds x 0.075 = 0.95 pound
Determine the percentage of crude protein in
the fescue/shelled corn mixture by multiplying the Next, determine the pounds of daily dry matter
percentage of each ingredient in the mix by its available for fescue and shelled corn by subtracting
percentage of crude protein. Add the two resulting the pounds of protein supplement dry matter from
values for the percentage of crude protein in the total the daily dry matter.
mixture. For example, fescue is 58 percent of the mix
Daily dry Soybean Pounds of fescue/
and contains 10 percent crude protein. Shelled corn x =
matter intake meal dry matter corn dry matter
is 42 percent of the mix and contains 9.8 percent
crude protein. 12.6 pounds x 0.95 = 11.65 pounds
There are 11.65 pounds of dry matter composed of the
Fescue 0.58 x 10.0 = 5.8%
fescue/shelled corn mixture.
Corn 0.42 x 9.8 = 4.1%
9.9%
To determine the individual pounds of fescue and
The crude protein content of the total mix is shelled corn, multiply the pounds of dry matter
9.9 percent (5.8 + 4.1 = 9.9%). The animal requires composed of the fescue/shelled corn mixture by the
12.9 percent crude protein in the ration. A deficiency percentage of fescue or shelled corn determined in the
of 3 percent (12.9 - 9.9 = 3%) exists, therefore protein first square. Subtract this value from the total
supplementation is needed. pounds of fescue/shelled corn dry matter to obtain the
pounds of dry matter of the second ingredient.
Use the square method to balance the
fescue/shelled corn mix and soybean meal for a Pounds of fescue dry matter:
12.9 percent crude protein mixture. Place 12.9 in the 11.65 x 0.58 = 6.76 pounds of fescue dry matter
center and 9.9 and 49.9 on the left diagonals and
subtract as before. Add the two figures on the right Pounds of shelled corn dry matter:
side of the square (37 + 3) to determine the total 11.65 - 6.76 = 4.89 pounds of shelled corn dry matter
 Each dry matter quantity must be converted to Substitution Method
as-fed quantity to supply the correct amount of feed.
This is done by dividing the pounds of dry matter by A second method of ration balancing may simply
the percent dry matter of the feed ingredient as be termed substitution method. In this method, a
shown in Table 2. ration is estimated, and the nutrient content calcu­
lated. These results are then compared to the
Fescue = 6.76 ÷ 0.90 = 7.51 pounds as fed nutrient needs of the animal for which the ration is
Shelled Corn = 4.89 ÷ 0.90 = 5.43 pounds as fed being balanced. Deficiencies are corrected by
Soybean Meal = 0.95 ÷ 0.89 = 1.07 pounds as fed changing proportions of feeds in the rations or by
substituting or adding ingredients.
Thus, the daily ration for this steer becomes Knowledge of animal nutrient requirements,
7.51 pounds of fescue, 5.43 pounds of shelled corn feeds available and their nutrient composition are
and 1.07 pounds of soybean meal. still necessary. For this example, a 1,100-pound
lactating cow (2 months since calving, 10 lb peak
Determine the calcium and phosphorus supplied milk) will be used. Her nutrient requirements are
by each ingredient and compare to the daily require­ shown in Table 3. The same feeds as in the previous
ments to decide if a mineral supplement is needed. example will be used. See their nutrient composition
This is done by multiplying the dry matter pounds of in Table 2.
each feed in the ration by its calcium and phosphorus
content (Table 2) and adding the results. The results Since hay is the main source of nutrients for most
are compared to the animal’s needs; then an excess or cows, this example will assume that all of the dry
deficiency can be determined. matter being consumed is coming from fescue hay.
This means the cow is eating 26 pounds of actual
Pounds of feed fescue hay daily (lb of dry matter 23.5 divided by the
dry matter x % Ca = lb Ca percentage of dry matter 0.90 equals 26 pounds).

Fescue 6.76 x 0.003 = 0.020 Next, calculate the nutrients supplied by fescue
Shelled Corn 4.89 x 0.0003 = 0.001 and compare them to the cow’s need. The nutrients
Soybean Meal 0.95 x 0.0040 = 0.004 supplied are determined by multiplying the pounds
Total 0.025 of dry matter of the feed consumed by the feed’s
nutrient content on a dry matter basis. In this
Pounds of feed example, fescue supplies 12.2 pounds of TDN,
dry matter x%P = lb P 2.35 pounds of crude protein, 0.071 pound of calcium
and 0.061 pound of phosphorus. A comparison with
Fescue 6.76 x 0.0026 = 0.018 nutrient needs shown in Table 3 reveals an energy
Shelled Corn 4.89 x 0.0032 = 0.016 deficiency of 1 pound of TDN.
Soybean Meal 0.95 x 0.0071 = 0.007
Total 0.041 Adding corn grain is necessary for extra energy.
We cannot simply add corn because the daily dry
Calcium need - intake = excess or deficiency matter intake could be exceeded and cattle might not
0.067 - 0.025 = 0.042 deficiency be able to consume this amount. Corn must be substi­
tuted for fescue. This means we will gain nutrients
Phosphorus need - intake = excess or deficiency from corn, but we will also lose nutrients from the
0.033 - 0.041 = 0.008 excess fescue. The net effect of substituting corn for fescue
must be determined.
Phosphorus level of the ration is adequate, but a One pound of fescue dry matter contains
deficiency of calcium exists. Minerals are generally 0.52 pound of TDN while one pound of corn dry
supplied by free-choice supplementation with matter contains 0.90 pound of TDN. The net effect of
commercial mineral supplements or home mixtures. replacing 1 pound of fescue dry matter with 1 pound

Table 3. Nutrient Requirements for a 1,100-lb Mature Lactating Cow (2 months since calving, 10 lbs Peak Milk)1, 2

Dry
Matter Protein TDN Calcium Phosphorus
lb lb % lb % lb % lb %

23.5 2.10 8.9 13.2 56.3 0.060 0.25 0.040 0.17

1 Percentage of nutrients is based on percent of diet, dry matter basis.
2 1996 Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle.
of corn dry matter is a gain of 0.38 pound of TDN Computer Assisted Formulation
(0.90 - 0.52 = 0.38).
A deficiency of 1 pound of TDN exists. Dividing Most spreadsheet based computer programs
the pounds of nutrient deficiency by the pounds of that are used to formulate rations use the substitu­
nutrient net gain by substituting corn for fescue tion methodology. There are several advantages to
will tell us the pounds of dry matter to substitute. utilizing a computer program for ration balancing.
For example: Some programs generate the nutrient require­
ments after entering the animal description;
1 pound TDN needed = 2.6 pounds of corn dry matter therefore, looking up nutrient requirements from a
0.38 pound TDN net gain substituted for 2.6 pounds
table is not required. Computer programs also
of fescue dry matter
provide a list of feed ingredients and their nutrient
Now the ration is 20.9 pounds of fescue dry composition to choose from. Computer programs
matter and 2.6 pounds of shelled corn dry matter. show the balance of all nutrients simultaneously.
This eliminates the additional time involved in
Calculate the nutrients supplied by the substi­ balancing and rechecking each individual nutrient,
tuted ration and compare to the cow’s nutrient need. and allows for easier balancing of rations
The comparison is shown in Table 4. As can be seen, containing several feed ingredients. Formulas are
all nutrient needs are met or exceeded. The ration is built into the program, so mathematical mistakes
adequate for the nutrients desired. are also eliminated.
Now, convert pounds of dry matter to pounds
as-fed as done for the previous ration. Divide pounds Animals will gain more efficiently and
of dry matter by percent dry matter. Thus the daily economically with a balanced ration. By using these
ration actually fed becomes 23.2 (20.9 ÷ 0.90) pounds guidelines, you should be able to balance rations
of fescue and 2.9 (2.6 ÷ 0.90) pounds of shelled corn. that will meet the needs of most farm animals.

Table 4. Nutrient Content of the Substituted Ration and Comparison with Requirements

Dry TDN Crude Protein Calcium Phosphorus

Feed Matter (lb) (lb) (lb) (lb) (lb)
Fescue Hay 20.9 10.87 2.09 0.063 0.054
Shelled Corn 2.6 2.34 0.25 --­ 0.008
Total 23.5 13.21 2.34 0.063 0.062
Animal Requirements 23.5 13.2 2.10 0.060 0.040

Complementary Publications
Composition of Some Beef Cattle Feeds (FSA3043)
Alternative Feeds for Beef Cattle (FSA3047)

Beef Cattle Nutrition Series Publications

Part 1. Nutrient Basics (FSA3078)
Part 2. Establishing Nutritional Requirements (FSA3079)
Part 3. Nutrient Requirement Tables (MP391)
Part 4. Formulating Rations (FSA3080)

Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.

SHANE GADBERRY, Ph.D., is associate professor - animal science, Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Department of Animal and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Science, Little Rock. Agriculture, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of
Arkansas. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its
programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin,
religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any
other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal
FSA3080-PD-3-11RV Opportunity Employer.