Educational Materials & Marketing Services
Extension 4-H Youth Bldg.
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Educational Materials & Marketing Services |
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1/21/04
Contact: Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
Iowa Beef Center Introduces New Ration Software
AMES, Iowa -- Beef producers can improve their ration knowledge, feed efficiency and the bottom line through the Iowa Beef Center's latest software package, new for 2004. BRANDS (Beef Ration and Nutrition Decisions Software), an interactive spreadsheet for Microsoft(R) Excel, assists producers in balancing rations for their various classes of cattle, and helps producers optimize the use of on-farm resources such as corn and forages.
" We're very excited about this software package, as it is one of the first in the United States to use the metabolizable protein system from the National Research Council," states Dr. Daryl Strohbehn from the Iowa Beef Center, and professor of Animal Science at Iowa State University. "This departure from the old crude protein system allows for more precision in balancing rations for protein in all types of beef cattle."
BRANDS consists of five modules specific to the producer's operation, including three standard edition modules:
1. Beef Cow and Heifer - using several criteria (for cows) and a calendarized approach (for heifers) to determine if nutritional demands of the herd are met, including a modifiable feed library.
2. Growing and Breeding Bulls - ideally suited for bull test rations for the growing bull, and assists in optimizing the use of feedstuffs for breeding bulls.
3. Feedlot - takes into account all factors to calculate whether daily gain goals are met.
The remaining two modules include a BRANDS set, which includes all three standard edition modules, and BRANDS Professional Edition. Dr. Garland Dahlke, Iowa Beef Center program specialist, explains that the Professional Edition has many special features. "For instance, we've included the ability to evaluate an entire group rather than the average of the group, the capability of multiple feed library storages, and all modules incorporated into one version with a sharing feed library." The Professional Edition requires Excel 2000 or newer.
Producers and herd managers can purchase the software by contacting the Iowa State University Extension Distribution Center at (515) 294-5247 or pubdist@iastate.edu. For more program features, prices, and a printable order form, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.
The Iowa Beef Center began operation in 1996 with a legislative mandate to support the growth and vitality of the beef cattle industry of the state. A part of Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa Beef Center is the central access point for Iowa State University programs related to the beef industry. For more information, visit the website at www.iowabeefcenter.org or call (515) 294-BEEF.
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