Exercise 5
Ration Formulation I – Balance for Energy and Protein
20 Points
To begin actual ration formulation we will balance for two nutrients (energy and
protein) using three ingredients. The logical scenario for this basic formulation is for
ruminant (or horse) rations where a combination of forage and grain is used to balance
for energy, and a protein ingredient, such as soybean meal, is used to bring the ration to
the correct protein level. For example, growing cattle rations are formulated to achieve a
desired rate of gain. Because the level of energy in the ration is a major factor
influencing gain, by using various ratios of roughage and concentrate, the producer can
create rations that will provide the correct amount of energy for the desired rate of gain.
The appropriate amounts of required protein, phosphorus and calcium can then be
provided in a supplement.
In the example provided we will use a commercially prepared protein/mineral
supplement to provide the protein, Ca and P needs of the calves. Also, we will assume
that this supplement is equal to the grain in energy content.
Steps for Formulating Ruminant/Horse Rations
1. Look up requirements for energy, protein, P and Ca.
2. Look up the nutrient composition of available feeds in the book.
3. Balance for energy __ always use roughage and the energy feed. It is important
to remember to always balance for energy first!
4. Balance for crude protein -- use the amount of roughage estimated in step 3 as a
fixed ingredient and let the amount of protein supplement replace the energy
feed. Never replace the roughage feed with the protein supplement.
5. Determine the amount of calcium contained in the ration.
6. Determine the amount of phosphorus contained in the ration.
EXAMPLE:
Balance a growing ration for medium frame steers averaging 600 lb, gaining 2.5 lb/day.
Use corn silage, corn and a 44% crude protein supplement.
Step 1. Determine the requirements:
ME, Mcal/lb CP,% Ca,% P,%
1.21 11.8 .51 .31
Step 2. Feedstuff composition:
Ingredient DM,% ME, CP,% Ca,% P,%
Mcal/kg
Corn 88 3.16 10.4 .05 .31
Corn Silage 36.9 2.48 8.3 .22 .24
Commercial 90 3.16 44.0
Supplement 4.0 1.0
Step 3. Balance for energy (let x = amount of corn, therefore 100 - x = amount of corn
silage).
Convert ME requirement from Mcal/lb to Mcal/kg:
1.21 Mcal/lb * 2.2 lb/kg = 2.66 Mcal/kg
If need 2.66 Mcal/kg, then need 266 Mcal/100 kg
corn corn silage
266 = 3.16 (x) + 2.48 (100 - x)
x = corn = 26.47 corn silage = 73.53
Step 4. Balance crude protein (let x - amount of supplement)
corn silage corn suppl.
11.8 = .083(73.53) + .104 (26.47 - x)* + .44 x
*NOTE: Supplement replaces corn because of their similar energy content.
x = 8.76 = % protein supplement
26.47 - x = 17.71 = % corn
Step 5. Determine the amount of calcium contained in the ration
Amount of Ca = .0005(17.71) + .0022(73.53) + .04(8.76)
= .52% Ca (This just meets the steers’ requirement for Ca of .51)
Step 6. Determine the amount of phosphorus contained in the ration
Amount of P = .0031(17.71) + .0024(73.53) + .01(8.76)
= .32% P (This just meets the steers’ requirement for P of .31)
Final Ration
Ingredient % Dry Matter Basis
Corn 17.71%
Corn Silage 73.53%
44% Supplement 8.76%
The first three homework problems that follow involve balancing rations for energy and
protein for the same beef heifer with the same ingredients with the exception that three
different forages are used are used for Problems I to III. This give you practice at
balancing diets and will give you a chance to observe how forages of different quality
require different amounts of concentrate ingredients in order to balance a diet.
Problem IV is different in that you will balance a ration for horse using her daily
requirements rather than balancing on a concentration of the diet basis.
Problem I
Balance a ration for ME and protein for pregnant yearling heifers averaging 770 lb and
gaining 1.75 lb/day. Use Table 12 (old) or 46 (new). Feed ingredients available are:
bromegrass hay, early bloom (listed below); barley grain, pacific coast (#10); and
soybean meal, solvent extracted (#98). Note: regardless of requirements stated in the
tables, I feel growing heifers should be fed rations having at least 11.3% protein.
A. Requirements of the animal:
ME, Mcal/kg CP,% Ca,% P,%
11.3
B. Feedstuffs:
Ingredient DM,% ME, Mcal/kg CP,% Ca,% P,%
Bromegrass
84 2.28 10.2 .35 .26
hay
Barley
SBM
C. Balance for ME (use bromegrass and barley).
Hint: Don’t forget to adjust Mcal/kg to Mcal/100kg
D. Balance for crude protein (use SBM).
E. Does the ration satisfy the Ca and P requirements?
F. What is the ration on an as-fed basis?
Problem II.
Balance a ration for ME and protein for the same heifers using forage of a lower quality
than the brome hay that was used in Problem 1. Feed ingredients available are:
bromegrass hay, mature (listed below); barley grain, pacific coast (#10); and soybean
meal, solvent extracted (#98).
A. Requirements of the animal:
ME, Mcal/kg CP,% Ca,% P,%
11.3
B. Feedstuffs:
Ingredient DM,% ME, Mcal/kg CP,% Ca,% P,%
Bromegrass
84 1.83 6.3 .3 .23
hay
Barley
SBM
C. Balance for ME (use bromegrass and barley).
Hint: Don’t forget to adjust Mcal/kg to Mcal/100kg
D. Balance for crude protein (use SBM).
E. Does the ration satisfy the Ca and P requirements?
F. What is the ration on an as-fed basis?
Problem III
Repeat this exercise using alfalfa hay, mature (#4) as the forage source. Balance for
energy and protein.
Discuss the value of early bloom bromegrass vs. mature bromegrass vs. mature alfalfa
as forage ingredients in rations for developing heifers. Hint: consider that concentrates
(barley and SBM) are more expensive than forages.
Problem IV
Rations can be formulated on a daily amount of nutrient needed basis as well as a
nutrient concentration basis as in the Problems 1-3. Balance a ration for an 1100 lb
mare in lactation. The mare’s DMI is 23 lbs (therefore X + Y = 23), and her requirements
are for 28 Mcal of DE/day and 3.1 lbs of protein/day. Use brome hay, late bloom (#20);
barley grain, pacific coast (#10); and a 44% commercial protein supplement to meet her
requirements. The supplement is 44% crude protein (DMB), has equal energy as the
barley, and is 92% DM. Use table values for the brome hay and the barley. First
balance the ration on a DMB (determine the amounts of DM of each ingredient to feed
daily) and then provide the as-fed amounts of each ingredient that you will feed the mare
daily.