Problem

Response

RUMNUT requires about 60 analayses for a full defintion of a silage. No commercially available silage analysis will contain all the required information. Rather than leaving a lot of blanks in the analysis it is better to modify an existing analysis. Using the Feedman module identify a silage analysis with a similar ME and CP to your own analysis; this will be average for a large number of feed samples. Copy this feed to a blank slot in the feed database and then edit the full analysis. The units and analyte names may differ between the RUMNUT screen and your supplied analysis; in particular DM should be in % but all the other analyses in g/kg DM. Fat is the same as EE and TA the same as Ash. The Nitrogen degradability figures in the third column should be on all good silage analyses but may be in other units. PDI figures are rarely given. pH and fermentation acid concentrations are not entered into RUMNUT. Enter the figures you have and leave others as the 'text book' values. In some modern silage analyses that are produced for the FiM system the FME value is not given. If this is the case set FME as U for blank. When you click on OK you will be asked for the volatile fatty acid composition and then the FME will be calculated.

When you have finished the entry click on OK; RUMNUT will carry out various checks for consistency and entry errors. Finally you must confirm that you want to add the feed to the feed database. The feed can then be used in any module in the same way as any other raw material.

A wide range of organisations can carry out silage analyses including SAC, ADAS and the commercial compound feed manufacturers. A standard silage analysis should give you information about the dry matter, energy and protein contents of the feed. Good analyses will give you figures for nitrogen degradability in the form of N a, b and c or equivelent terms. Mineral and trace element analysis is a separate and specialist type of analysis.

If none of these ways work you may need to contact me further assistance by email.