F E E D I N G

M AY 2 0 1 7
All along this notice, you will find some golden rules (the ones from the poster) and
tips about feeding that can be applied directly in the field. They will be distinguishable
with icons:

GOLDEN RULES TIPS

2
 1 - Introduction and objectives 05

2 - Fundamentals 07
2.1 - Digestive physiology of cows 09
2.2 - General principles to feed a cow 14
2.3 - Lactation cycle and feed strategy 24
2.4 - Balanced feeding for improving animal health and milk production 28
2.5 - Traceability and FEED safety 33
2.6 - Key points to remember 41

3 - Ration and byproducts valorization as feed for cattle 43

3.1 - Byproducts valorization and circular economy: opportunities and challenges 46
3.2 – Ration formulation tools for dairy cows 52

3
 4 - Case studies: Concrete examples of products
valorization in different geographies 63
4.1 - Punjab 2020, India 65
4.2 - Milky Way, Tunisia 71

4.3 - Chance for All, Romania 77

4.4 - H’lib Dzair, Algeria 84
4.5 - KOSAM, Senegal 91
4.6 - Merapi, Indonesia 97

Acknowledgement 103
Appendix 105

4
5
 Feeding is the main expense on a dairy farm, and can
represent more than 80% of the farm’s costs. This
notice is intended for technicians to improve dairy
farms feeding management. It aims to present:

1.
Fundamentals about feeding management on a dairy
farm

2.
Methodologies to calculate competitive and balanced
rations valorizing local feeds

6
7
 2.1 – Digestive physiology of cows 09

2.2 – General principles to feed a cow 14

2.3 – Lactation cycle and feed strategy 24

2.4 – Balanced feeding for improving animal health and milk

production 28

2.5 – Traceability and FEED safety 33

2.6 - Key points to remember 41

8
 2.1

DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF COWS

9
 1
DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF COWS

Cows are ruminants, they need to eat grass or any other source of fiber
rich feed stuff. Cows have a complex digestive system. Indeed, they have a
stomach with a capacity of 200 liters, composed of 4 compartments
(rumen, omasum, reticulum and abomasum).

10
 DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF COWS

Digestive process has 3 steps: ingestion, digestion and absorption:

1- INGESTION
1 Rumen

Feed is chewed, mixed with saliva and swallowed. 2 Reticulum

Then feed is regurgitated, chewed and swallowed Esophagus
again: it is the process of rumination.
Regurgitating enlarges the surface area of the feed
which helps micro-organisms to digest it. A cow
produces between 40 to 180L of saliva per day,
depending on the feed she receives.
Intestine
Saliva has a buffer effect in the rumen meaning that 3 Omasum
it compensates acidifying agents such as 4 Abomasum
concentrated feed on the ruminal pH. It is important
because the ideal pH level for rumen is between 6
Feed intake
and 7 and micro-organisms which digest cellulose
cannot work at less than pH-6.

11
 DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF COWS

2- DIGESTION
1 Rumen
As the feed has been crushed by rumination,
rumen microbes can degrade feed. Then, the
2 Reticulum
Esophagus
ingesta moves to the abomasum. The main
function of the abomasum is to digest
proteins from both feed and ruminal
microbes.

Intestine
3 Omasum
4 Abomasum
3- ABSORPTION
Feed intake
The feed goes through the small intestine
where nutrients are absorbed by blood.

12
 DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF COWS

Feeding a cow means feeding billions of bacteria in the rumen which

degrade feed in nutrients usable by the cow.

• Cows’ needs depend on several factors such as their weight, dairy production, life stage
and activity level. Define the ration in order to have a balanced and competitive one.
• Do not change the diet of cows brutally. It is fundamental to keep the rumen microbiota
balanced.

• A good indicator to measure whether or not a ration is balanced (in terms of quantity and
quality) is the refusal rate. The refusal rate is the part of the ration that cows have not
consumed. A reasonable goal is to have around 5% of feed refused.
• Second indicator is the cow’s [Link] consistency should be solid porridge like,
without any non-digested feed particles.

13
 2.2

GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

14
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

 Cows have a limited intake capacity

Cows are limited on their ingestion because of the rumen size. Micro-organisms degrade feed in
the rumen. If feed particles are too big, they stay longer in the rumen. When the rumen is filled,
cows cannot eat more. This is part of what is called intake capacity. This feed intake capacity
depends on who is eating the feed and what feed is consumed. On the feed side, the main factors
are: dry matter content and the digestibility of the feed. On the cows side, intake
capacity differs per stage of lactation, parity, age and breed of the cow.

Select good quality feed components adapted to the cows’ [Link] ration quantity
(in KG or LBS) depends on the rumen size which is limited.

Cows are generally able to eat 3% of their body weight.

15
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

 Cows have needs to be covered

Providing cows with the right nutrients is key. Cows need water, energy, protein, minerals and
vitamins. Bring the needed nutrients daily splitting the distribution into at least 2
meals per day and homogenize the ration beforehand.

 Water needs
Water is the basic need of a cow. The body of a cow contains 70 to 75% of water and milk
contains 85% of water. 2 to 4 additional liters of water per cow can be available at a very low
cost and can make a real difference.

Provide cows with clean, fresh water (<25°C) permanently available. The must: to
provide the water in a covered water trough. Drinking water should be separated from any
concentrated slurry.

16
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

Water needs depends on climate, milk production and alimentation

(higher water needs with dry fodder). For example, during hot season, a
cow can drink up to 200 liters a day.

• Supply the cow with ad libitum access to clean water. Cows like to have a water depth of
around 7 centimeter. So they can drink without sucking air.
• Supply sufficient drinking points in the barn/field to ensure water is always within short reach.

17
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

 Nutrient needs
• Energy ensures body functions, dairy production and reproduction
• Proteins and nitrogen ensure growth, dairy production and reproduction
• Vitamins (A, B, C, E) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium) ensure body
functions and reproduction

Nutrients needs depend on several factors such as cow’s activity, cow’s weight, dairy production
and physiological stage (lactation stage, gestation stage, and number of gestations).

 Feeding a balanced ration to cover the cows’ needs

The aim is to feed a balanced ration in sufficient quantities and containing all essential nutrients.

A balanced ration is a ration with several types of components: energy, protein, fiber,
minerals and vitamins. The ration must contain at least 70% of fodder, or roughage
type of fibrous feed, essential for rumination and rumen activity. It should not contain more than
30% of leguminous plants.

18
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

 Fodder
Fodder or roughage is fresh plant material, fed directly or ensiled for later use. It is the aerial part
of the plant: the stem, the leaf and the seeds. Here are some examples of most common fodders:

Fodder Energy value Protein value Rumination capacity Ingestion

Oats hay Medium Weak Excellent Medium

Green
Medium Excellent Very good Very good
lucerne

Green
Medium Medium Very good Very good
sorghum

Corn silage Very good Weak Good Excellent

Ryegrass
Excellent Good Good Excellent
pastura

19
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

Cultivate fodders adapted to soil and climate (more economic, more resistant and
better environmental impact). The quality of the fodder depends on the plant stage and the
conservation method (dry or humid):

Method Details + -
Conservation by air-drying deshydratation. It
This method is ideal for farmers
requires several days of good weather after
with small surfaces or with a low Sensitive to climate and
Hay harvesting, and a plant picked at an optimal
level of mechanization on the dairy humidity (mould risks)
stage (beginning heading for grass and bud
farm
stage for legumes).

Conservation of humid fodder by lactic Best conservation method for

Requires technical skills and
Silage fermentation. The fodder stored into a silo nutrients. This method is also less
equipments on the farm
without air. dependent on climate

20
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

 Supplementing a ration
Fodder rarely brings all the nutrients to cover the cows’ [Link] ration can be supplemented
with concentrated feed. Agricultural and agro-industrial byproducts available locally are a
good alternative. However, the quality of concentrate feeds varies from region to region. In some
regions, protein meals are the major source of concentrate, whereas, in other locations it could be
cereal brans or other byproducts.

The quantity of feed provided to a cow depends on its body weight, milk production and life stage.

21
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

Classification
Poor in energy Moderate in energy Rich in energy
energy/protein

Rice straw Rice bran (poor) Cassava chips

Corn sterm Most of grass Paddy rice
Sugarcane straw Ears of sweet corn Molasses
Poor in protein
Manioc residues Banana stump Sweet potatoes
Rice straw treated with urea Pineapple residues
Corn silage
Brown rice Corn grain
Grass well managed Sorghum grain
Moderate in protein
Soya Rice bran (rich)
Humid herbs Wheat bran
Entire cottonseed Brewer grain
Fish waste Coconut meal
Rich in protein Urea Manioc hay Soybean curd
Most of legumes Industrial concentrated feed
Flours made of legumes

22
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO FEED A COW

• Supplement the ration with concentrated feed to bring energy and protein and
thus to cover the cows’ needs. Using local byproducts (agricultural or agro-
industrial) instead of industrial concentrated feed can reduce costs and have a positive impact
on the environment.
• Do not distribute concentrated feed when the rumen is empty, as it risks causing an
increase of gastric acidity. Always ensure to provide a balanced ration splitting the distribution
into at least 2 meals per day.
• Never distribute more than 3KG of concentrated feed per meal and split the
distribution into at least in 2 meals per day. Never provide more than 12KG of
concentrated feed per day: an excess could block the rumination and cause acidosis.

• Distribute maximum 30% of concentrated feed in the ration.

• Use mineral lick-block to avoid nutritional deficiencies (minerals and vitamins).

23
 2.3

LACTATION CYCLE AND FEED STRATEGY

24
 LACTATION CYCLE AND FEED STRATEGY

A good feeding management means to match cows’ needs and physiological stage. A cow which
produces 20 liters of milk a day has 4 times more requirements needs than a dry cow. There are 4
important steps during a lactation cycle: beginning of lactation, middle of lactation, end of lactation,
drying period.
Body reserves Dry period
Body reserves used Live weight
regained for rumen
For milk production constant
next lactation rehabilitation

Milk Dry matter

production intake

Body weight

Early lactation Mid-lactation Late lactation Dry period

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
25 Month of Lactation
 LACTATION CYCLE AND FEED STRATEGY

 Lactation is prepared during drying period

• Dry period (5 weeks) : rest time – a good quality fodder with a slight complementation. Still
high feed intake but with low energy content
• Preparation period (3 weeks) : a good quality fodder with a good density + mineral nutrients
(calcium, phosphore). Energy density needs to increase because of lower feed intake capacity.
The unborn calf inside the uterus will grow fast the last month of the pregnancy. So the physical
space inside the cow for feed is reduced, while energy needs grow.

 The beginning of lactation

• It is fundamental not to change the diet of cows brutally: thus, between the preparation period
and the beginning of lactation, it is important to ensure a smooth transition in feed change. For
instance, we should distribute 5 kg of concentrated feed in 5 days (1 kg per day) instead of
giving it all at one time.
• High needs versus still low feed intake capacity so cows generally loose weight (use of body
reserves to produce milk).
• Rations should be rich in energy to avoid deficits.

26
 LACTATION CYCLE AND FEED STRATEGY

 The middle of lactation

• This is the period where the cow is ready for another pregnancy. So a weight regain is
necessary to make the reproduction successful.

 The end of lactation

• At the end of the lactation the milk production is decreasing. So the needs for energy and
protein are reducing. Adapt the ration accordingly.
• Rations should be less rich in energy and protein to avoid an excessive fattening and a nutrient
waste.

27
 2.4

BALANCED FEEDING FOR IMPROVING

ANIMAL HEALTH AND MILK PRODUCTION

28
 BALANCED FEEDING FOR IMPROVING ANIMAL HEALTH AND MILK
PRODUCTION

 A bad feed management has effects on cows health and milk

production

Imbalanced feeding leads to excess feeding of some nutrients whilst others remain deficient. This
not only reduces milk production and increases costs per kg milk, but also affects various
physiological functions including long term animal health fertility and productivity. Some effects of
imbalanced feed:

• A deficit of fibers reduces rumination, essential for cows.

• An excess of concentrated feed causes acidosis.

29
 BALANCED FEEDING FOR IMPROVING ANIMAL HEALTH AND MILK
PRODUCTION

How to avoid and get over acidosis:

• Introduce slowly feed with high starch contents such as concentrated feed (+0,5KG per cow
per day).
• Distribute the concentrate as much as possible over the whole 24 hour of the day. The more
smaller meals the better.
• When introducing more concentrate in the ration make sure to provide also more fibrous
rich fodder, like any hay or straw type.
• Introduce buffer into the feed to maintain an ideal rumen pH level. (sodium bicarbonate ;
magnesium oxide ; sodium bentonite).

• A deficit of energy causes a loss of weight and a loss of fertility.

• An excess of energy causes an excessive fattening with risks for calving and lower milk
production next lactation.
• An excess of protein causes intoxications.
• A deficit of protein causes fattening of cows.
• Moldy or deteriorated feed with bad storage conditions causes serious intoxication with
mycotoxins.

30
 BALANCED FEEDING FOR IMPROVING ANIMAL HEALTH AND MILK
PRODUCTION

 A good observation allows to detect and to avoid feeding management

mistakes

• Rumination: from all 10 cows lying and resting -> at least 6 need to ruminate
• Cow dungs: should have a soft consistency, like porridge. To form a small circle on the ground.
• Cow feet: when walking cows should use all 4 feet in a balanced tred and a straight backbone.
• Skin/hair: cows need to be clean at the tail and back end. The hair needs to be shinny.
• Other observations which can be checked on the cows  see the appendix slide 105.

31
 BALANCED FEEDING FOR IMPROVING ANIMAL HEALTH AND MILK
PRODUCTION

 General benefits of balanced rations

Continues access to a palatable, well balanced ration and ad libitum clean water
improves the health of the cows and their milk production. Resulting in good technical
and economic benefits on farm.

Note:You could also notice lower veterinarian costs and more sustainable productivity (both on
fertility and production).

32
 2.5

TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

33
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

On top of all these advice, one must make sure that the fodders and the concentrate feed that are
used in the cow ration are traced and controlled for “FEED” safety to avoid impairing the cow’s
health on short or mid terms.

Some FEED safety risks are linked to FOOD safety risks.

Health/Production of cows
FEED Contaminants
can be may adversely
a source of affect Safety of the milk

Indeed, some contaminants of the feed can lead to food safety risks in the milk, such as the
presence of Aflatoxins M1. The AFM1 are excreted in the milk after metabolization of the Aflatoxin
B1 that can spoil fodder or grains.

34
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

Keeping the traceability of the origin of the Feed is of importance in case of incident or crisis in
the feed chain supply. It allows warning the farmers to withdraw the feed from the cows’ ration
when possible.

 Fodder
Concerning raw materials the main question is “what are the potential contaminants?” - chemical
or biological.

35
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

• Linked to farmer practices at field level

Contaminant family Example of contaminant Origin Example of material

Mycotoxins Aflatoxin B1 -> AFM1 Mold development: Peanuts (& other product like
(S. Risk +++) - Induced in field pistachio, cashew..) > soya +
- During storage of feed cotton meals > corn
DON* Cereals
Zearalenone Corn

Pesticides Many very different molecules - Treatments used at field - Depending of cultures: late
(S. Risk + to +++) DDT*, fipronyl… level: insecticides, anti-fungal, treatment on cotton…
Depending on type of culture herbicides… - To preserve : Cereals
and areas - Treatment in post-harvest (importance of local climatic
to preserve conditions)
- Accidental contamination:
animal access to treated
grains…

Natural toxic substances Gossypol (+) Cotton seeds

Other alkaloids Toxic plants in hay or silage

* DON: Deoxynivalenol (mycotoxin) /

DDT : Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (insecticide)
36
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

• Linked to pollution around the fields/farms fodder

storage
Contaminant Example of Origin Example of material
family contaminant
Dioxin + PCB* - Contamination at field level by external - Grass, corn…
(S. Risk +++) pollution (soil, water for irrigation) - Mixed Oil
- Use of “byproduct” or recycle - Kaolin, clays…
products (oil)
- “Original” contamination of some
substances
Drying methods

Heavy metal Lead, cadmium, External pollution / field: Grass, corn…

(S. Risk +++) Arsenic, aluminum… - Plant close to the field (incinerator…) Minerals
- Contaminated sludge, use of waste water
for irrigation
- Over-dosage or non decontaminated
minerals
Metallicolous flora

HAP* Field close to road, city… Grass…

* PCB: Polychlorinated biphenyl (toxic organic chlorine) /

HAP : Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (produced by combustion)
37
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

 Concentrate feed:
Concerning « complete feed or premix » the main questions are :

• What are the raw materials to authorize / to ban?

• What are the risks of contamination during the process (cross contamination, risk during
storage of raw materials…)? :

• Abnormal level of additives

• Residues of veterinary drugs
• Residues linked to a specific raw material
• Technical agents & Preservative
• Conditions of preparation or storage

38
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

• Linked to fraud or process

Contaminant family Example of Origin Example of material
contaminant
Fraud Melamine use to Abnormal adjunction to increase Nitrogen Soya
increase protein
content (++)
Chemicals used during Solvent residue Process to extract oil Soya meal…
the process

• Linked to biological contaminants

Contaminant family Example of Origin Example of material
contaminant
Prion (Non TSE* Use of sub-products of meat (cows, Bone and meat meal.
Conventional sheep…) / slaughter house Risk evaluate per country.
Transmissible Agents) Risk level depending on technology
(S. Risk +++) used
Animal fats
Botulism Feed storage Silage
(S. Risk +++)
Salmonella Feed storage Milk replacer
(S. Risk +++) Cereals on open storage

* TSE : Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

39
 TRACEABILITY AND FEED SAFETY

• Linked to “chemical” contaminants

Contaminant family Example of Origin Example of material
contaminant

Abnormal level of Grow factors Some additives may be authorized in Compound feed make in a non-
additives Anti coccidian some countries for “medicated specialized plant (cow, poultry..)
Minerals feed”.
Mistake concerning dosage

Residues of veterinary Hormones Cross contamination with Compound feed delivered by a truck
drugs Antibiotics medicated feed and/or feed for working for different species
(S. Risk + to +++) other species

Residues linked to a All Cross contamination Peanut cake and aflatoxin

specific raw material Use of unauthorized raw
material
Or a contaminated raw
material
Technical agents Lubricants Products used during the process

Preservative Insecticides, Products use to preserve the

(S. Risk + to +++) rodenticides compound feed

40
 2.6

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

41
42
43
 Many agricultural or agro-industrial wastes are unavoidable materials arising from food production
systems, typically described as byproducts or residues. More generally, a byproduct is an output,
resulting from a production process, the primary aim of which is not the production of that
item: thus, a byproduct is in minor quantity compared to the main product(s). Some examples of
byproducts :

• Agricultural byproducts: crop residues, leaves, peels

• Agro-industrial byproducts: brewer residues, cereals brans, soybean meal…

These byproducts are in fact ideal raw materials to create new products, providing a major
opportunity and transforming the “waste” into a valuable “resource” for the
agricultural system. A good valorization of these resources is the introduction of
byproducts within the feed rations of dairy farms.

44
 3.1 – Byproducts valorization and circular economy:
opportunities and challenges 46

3.2 – Ration formulation tools for dairy cows 52

45
 3.1

BYPRODUCTS VALORIZATION AND

CIRCULAR ECONOMY: OPPORTUNITIES
AND CHALLENGES

46
 BYPRODUCTS VALORIZATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The cost of feed is becoming more and more important for farmers.

“ Feed management is a key element for our small farmers: we are lacking of farmers and farmers cannot
“
earn their living with their work so they are really [Link] have to make local feeds available and
provide them a technical support in order to increase efficiency.
Billel, project manager of H’lib Dzair, Algeria
To know more about this project, read further!

“ With the fast shrinking of arable lands and natural resources, availability and quality of feed is increasingly
“
becoming a challenge. Feeding byproducts to the cows can be a way to enhance milk quantity and quality
and reduce feed costs.
Sambhaji, project manager of Punjab 2020, India
To know more about this project, read further!

47
 BYPRODUCTS VALORIZATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

In this context of environmental and economical pressures, we must increasingly consider

byproducts as an alternative for animal feeding. Industrial, agro-industrial or agricultural
byproducts can be processed to obtain new materials and high added value products. The
valorization of these byproducts is reached by their re-use in the feed ration following circular
economy concepts. Unlike the industrial concentrated feed, these byproducts are not always
balanced in proteins and energy.

Thus, when introducing these products in cattle feed, it is important to get information on their
nutritional value. However, they will certainly bring nutrients and also, by eliminating avoidable
wastes and minimizing demands on resources, farms’ efficiency will be increased and costs will be
reduced.

48
 BYPRODUCTS VALORIZATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

“ “
Concentrates can represent up to 50-60% of milk production costs so it’s very expensive. We try to reduce
the costs by using the byproducts [e.g. cocoa meal, cereal straw], reaching the lower costs but keeping good
nutritional value.

Arif, project manager of Merapi, Indonesia

To know more about this project, read further!

“ “
[About byproducts as feed for cattle] We have to take the opportunities from the market: the cheapest for
our farmers and the best for their cows. [e.g. beer drenches and wheat straw] (…) Little by little, the
results we can see it in milk quantity, milk quality, and farms in general.

Catalin, project manager of Chance For All, Romania

To know more about this project, read further!

49
 BYPRODUCTS VALORIZATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

This valorization within the animal feed must start from a sustainable partnership between
agribusiness and livestock sectors. This relation will have a positive economical and environmental
impact and ensure the traceability of production.

Each partnership need to be adapted to the local context: each region of a country has its
specificities in terms of byproducts and cows’ needs.

“ “
These byproducts are less expensive but they are not produced all year long [e.g. tomatoes pulp]: it’s one
of the difficulties to get through in order to implement this practice: we must build a sustainable
partnership.

Myriam, project manager of Milky Way, Tunisia

To know more about this project, read further!

50
 BYPRODUCTS VALORIZATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY:
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
More than all, the key point is to disseminate best practices among farmers in terms of feed and
particularly byproducts valorization:

“ “
Years after years, we have increased byproducts’ availability [e.g. rice bran, sugarcane straw] and we have
made technical recommendations to farmers about feed mixtures and the adaptation to the local breed
and the dairy production level.
Arona, project manager of KOSAM, Senegal
To know more about this project, read further!

51
 3.2

RATION FORMULATION TOOLS FOR DAIRY

COWS

52
 RATION FORMULATION TOOLS FOR DAIRY COWS

Meeting the nutrient requirements of dairy animals using a balanced diet is vital. Therefore we want
to share with you two ration formulation easy-to-use tools for your technicians to advice farmers:
one developed by the FAO in 2016 and one, work-in-progress, developed by the Ecosystem project
KOSAM, in Senegal in collaboration with the Centre de Coopération International en Recherche
Agronomique pour le développement (French Agricultural Research for International
Development, CIRAD) and the Institut Sénegal des Recherches Appliquées (Senegal institute of
applied research, ISRA).

53
  FAO RATION FORMULATION TOOL
The Food & Agriculture Organization released a Ration Formulation Tool for dairy cows. This tool,
available in French, English and Spanish, calculates least-cost rations for dairy cows using locally
available resources. It has been specifically designed for technicians looking for a simple and easy to
use formulation tool. In addition to the Excel software, the package contains user and
administrative manuals, a presentation that will take you through the software step-by-step, and a
training webinar.
Important: You should only work using the user form, not directly on the Excel file.

• Tool overview – Quick use

54 Source: Userguide FAO Ration tool

  FAO RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• 3 steps before formulating the ration

#1: Enter cow data #2: Select ingredients (dropdown list) #3: Milk Income less Feed Cost (MIFC)

Enter their prices on feed basis, and set the The tab allows user to calculate the incomes of the
maximum quantities the farmer can give to his/her farmer’s milk production per day. Only milk return
cow per day. per kg is required, the other values are calculated
automatically from inputs of tabs “Cow data” and
Note: Up to 10 ingredients can be selected to ration “Ration calculation”.
calculation. Prices are set per kg, in the currency of
your choice.

55 Source: Userguide FAO Ration tool

  FAO RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• The formulation of the ration

Two options are possible:

- Manual ration formulation. Manually enter the quantities of each ingredient based on
your experience. And read the nutritional values for the mix and compare with needs
- Use a least-cost function, done by the FAO Ration tool.
Source: FAO Ration tool,Training Course

To know more about this tool, check this link:

[Link]

56
  KOSAM PROJECT RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• Creation context:
Animal feed of traditional livestock’s system depend on the quality of rainy season. Over the 10
months of dry season, only 5 months are covered by a pasture but this pasture is dry and non-
nutritive. The team project realized the opportunity of valorizing byproducts and other local
supplies as animal feed.
Therefore, by involving the CIRAD and the ISRA, they decided to set up animal feed database, to
analyze their nutritive value and to create animal feed ration’s software to advise dairy breeders.

57
  KOSAM PROJECT RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• General presentation
A tool in 3 parts:
- Database of nutritive value of byproducts & local animal feed / to be completed, updated regularly
- Data to be filled in by the breeder: herd identification, weigh, byproducts and local animal feed
supplies available / quantity by animal… / to be corrected until that a balanced ration is achieved.
- Summary of balanced ration and cost to advise to breeder.
A tool used by livestock technicians
- Livestock technicians of KOSAM’s Project
- Technicians of Pilot Farm and other farms
A tool to advise breeders on animal feed ration, to be profitable

58
  KOSAM PROJECT RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• 4 Steps before formulating the ration

#1: Enter farm characterization #2: Select feed available into the farm

59
  KOSAM PROJECT RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• 4 Steps before formulating the ration

#3: Update cost/stock of each #4:Verify and correct to reach a balanced

selected feed ration

Note:The stock functionality is not yet operational.

60
  KOSAM PROJECT RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• The formulation of the ration

61
  KOSAM PROJECT RATION FORMULATION TOOL

• Next challenges
- To test the software in pilot farms and small-farms selected: on-going
- Validation of final version and transfer to KOSAM project
- Practical uses as tool to advise dairy breeders on animal feed for profitability
- Opportunity to migrate « JABNDE software» into a tablet application

To know more, contact the projects managers of KOSAM (details in

the acknowledgement)!

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63
 4.1 – Punjab 2020, India 65

4.2 – Milky Way, Tunisia 71

4.3 – Chance For All, Romania 77

4.4 – H’lib Dzair, Algeria 84

4.5 – KOSAM, Senegal 91

4.6 – Merapi, Indonesia 97

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 4.1

PUNJAB 2020, INDIA

65
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67
68
69
70
 4.2

MILKY WAY, TUNISIA

71
72
73
74
75
76
 4.3

CHANCE FOR ALL, ROMANIA

77
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79
80
81
82
83
 4.4

H’LIB DZAIR, ALGERIA

84
85
86
87
88
89
90
 4.5

KOSAM, SENEGAL

91
92
93
94
95
96
 4.6

MERAPI, INDONESIA

97
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99
100
101
102
Special thanks to Clémence Jouan who actively work on this challenge, to Michel Crouillère (Milk & Farming
Project Director, Danone), Olivier Darde (Milk & Milk Ingredients Quality Manager, Danone), and Cees Jan
Hollander (Farming Practices Manager, Danone) who shared their expertise and to all the Ecosystem projects
managers (both from Danone and NGO sides) who have shared their experience:

BILLEL HADJAL HELENE PICART

H’lib Dzair, Algeria H’lib Dzair, Algeria
(Danone) (GIZ)

CATALIN ANDREICA ALINA RUS

Chance For All, Romania Chance For All, Romania
(Danone) (Open Fields Foundation)

ARONA DIAW AMINATA NIANG

KOSAM, Senegal KOSAM, Senegal
(La Laiterie du Berger) (SOS SAHEL)

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 ABDERRAHMEN ESSAIED MYRIAM HIMSSI
Milky Way, Tunisia Milky Way, Tunisia
(Délice Danone) (Taysir Microfinance)

SAMBHAJI PALVE SIDDHARTH KASHYAP

Punjab 2020, India Punjab 2020, India
(Danone Nutricia) (Naandi)

ARIF WAHYUDIN, ROBITH SYA’BANI

Merapi, Indonesia Merapi, Indonesia
(Danone) (LPTP)

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 Checklist for health and welfare points:

(Source: Cow Signals, [Link]

 Feedipidia: Animal feed resources system

[Link]

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