| | Frequently Asked Questions is divided into the following sections:
I. How to
II. Technical
III. Problems in earlier versions
I. How To:
How do DOS users update to Windows COWBYTES?
The Windows COWBYTES requires Windows 95 or later. Before loading your new version of COWBYTES, make sure your data is filed in a separate directory so it is not lost when you delete the old program. To delete your previous version, either:
- Go to Windows Explorer, highlight COWBYTES DOS directory, press delete, and confirm deletion, or
- Go to the MS DOS prompt and type c:\>deltree Cowbytes. Install new version.
How to save a ration
- Select Ration from menu bar in upper left corner of page.
- Select Save, select directory to save file, i.e., ration files
- Enter new ration file name in File name box and select Save
- A start-up file is saved by selecting Save as Startup rather than Save.
How to access help
COWBYTES help messages display program procedures, nutrition information and practical guidelines. The messages should answer most of your questions. Access the help messages as follows:
- Select Help from the menu bar in upper middle of the page.
- Select Help Contents.
- You have a choice of finding information by either selecting Contents, Index or Find. You will find similar information using either choice. Your choice is dependent upon how you wish to find the information. Contents provides a listing by subject groups which you must open individually. Contents is helpful when going through a full topic listing. Index is a search of titles by alphabetical order. Find is the most thorough method of searching the messages since it goes within the help messages to find key words.
- Follow the directions on each page.
Note: The first time you use Help, the program initiates the Help by searching the program Help messages for key words. Select Next and Finish to complete this task. This is a one-time only routine. Once complete, the Help is ready to use.
How to access the diagnostic tab
The Diagnostic tab can be activated by going to the Config tab and highlighting the Show Diagnostics box. To have the Diagnostic tab appear each time COWBYTES is loaded, save it in your start-up file. The Diagnostic page provides intermediate formula values. It may be helpful in troubleshooting or answering specific problems related to animal requirements.
Are feeds entered on a dry matter (DM) or as-fed basis? If entering silage, what DM% figure is entered in New Feeds? 100 or the actual dry matter?
The Feed Table stores all nutrient levels on a dry matter basis. Therefore, you must enter dry matter values. The exception is if you are using the New Feed option. On the New Feed page of the Edit Current Feed overlay, you have a choice and can enter a feed on either a dry matter or an as-fed basis. If you select DM, enter all nutrients on a dry matter basis. If you select As-Fed, enter nutrients on an as-fed basis. The program will calculate the dry matter values and transfer the dry matter values to the table. When you enter the DM%, enter the dry matter not as 100 but the actual dry matter %. Dry matter can be calculated by 100 minus % moisture.
How to use the "Other" column
The Other column can be activated by going to the Input page. Select Input from the menu bar in the upper left corner of the page, select Other Definition, check Use Other Information box, enter Input and Output units, Required Amount (% ) and No. of decimals in output.
The Other column can be used for items of your choice. For example:
- Nitrate NO3. It is generally considered that levels above 0.5% are dangerous and those above 1% are toxic.
- Vitamin D. Animal requirements for vitamin D are 275 IU/kg of diet dry matter. However, cattle exposed to sunlight or fed sun-cured forages can synthesize vitamin D and may not need supplementation.
- Feed additives such as antibiotics. Cattle started on feed are sometimes fed antibiotics for control of disease or stress or growth enhancement and feed efficiency.
Is there a COWBYTES Windows demo available on the web?
If you have been satisfied with the COWBYTES program, please encourage others to get a free trial copy from the Web. The Demo version is restricted to two feeds and cannot print or save rations; otherwise it does all other functions.
II. Technical
Is there data comparing COWBYTES to actual feedlot performance?
The value of COWBYTES as a feedlot management tool for predicting dry matter intake and average daily gain of background and finish steer calves was assessed by Tennis Marx, Feedlot Specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in Camrose. These trials were conducted at the University of Saskatchewan. This represents one set of trials for two specific animal groups under a specific environment. Therefore, interpret this information based on your past experience and expertise.
Backgrounding Trials. In two trials, 740 steers were monitored from weaning at 560 to 620 lb. for 140+ days. Predicted and actual dry matter intake was 19.0 and 16.1 lb./day, indicating that COWBYTES over predicted intake by 15%. Predicted and actual daily gain was 1.76 and 2.31 lb./day, indicating a 24% under prediction of gain.
Finishing Trials. In two trials, 232 steers were monitored from approximately 1050 lb. on a free choice diet of barley grain, barley silage, canola meal and straw. COWBYTES under predicted dry matter intake by 1.3% and 0.5% in the two trials. In both trials combined, actual and predicted gain was 4.08 and 3.84 lb./day, equivalent to a 6% under prediction of gain from actual.
The trials indicate that the COWBYTES program was close when predicting gain and intake for finish animals but not for background calves. Remember that it is only two trials. Animals and conditions vary. To ensure the best results possible, consider the following:
- Describe animal and environment accurately. The program may over predict the effects of cold for background cattle.
- Use feed tests.
- Formulate the diet and monitor intake. Follow this with re-formulation adjustments. Use historical intake numbers. Change Modification page dry matter intake (DMI) index value if you are confident that a change is warranted.
- If possible, weigh sample groups of cattle and re-adjust diets.
Why would predicted average daily gain be too high for ration fed?
There could be a number of reasons for the discrepancy. Check that the animal can consume the dry matter fed. Check how the animal has been described on Animal Type page including environment. Check feed nutrient energy levels.
What is an effective wind speed? The wind speed will adjust net energy requirements of the animals. A higher wind speed reduces hair coat insulation and increases maintenance requirements when the animal is cold stressed. Note that net energy for maintenance is very sensitive to wind speed for cold stressed animals. The wind speed entered should be an average wind speed for the period of time that the ration will be fed. Wind speed should account for shelter provided by brush, hills or constructed windbreaks. Wind speed at animal height may be lower than that reported on weather forecasts.
How crucial is the DIP balance?
DIP is degradable intake protein and is the rumen microbes' requirement for nitrogen. DIP should not be more than 30 to 40 grams below the requirement level given. There are some qualifiers:
- The DIP % given in the feed table is from NRC and as such is at best an average value. The actual value could be quite different than the table value.
- The rumen nitrogen requirement for low quality feeds such as straw is controversial. COWBYTES assumes either an 8, 11 or 13% of kg TDN requirement depending on diet energy level.
- There is some recycling of nitrogen through saliva that enters the rumen. As a guideline, on moderate to high energy diets, strive to be not less than 40 grams below the DIP recommended level. On low energy diets, you may wish to view the DIP/TDN % to see that it is at least 8% of TDN.
Can I use COWBYTES to assess what season is best for calving?
The general answer is yes, COWBYTES should be able to give you a picture of animal requirements over a production cycle so that, for example, you can estimate a spring versus winter calving program's feed requirement. Divide the year into 12 months. For each period, specify animal type, environment and feed available. Create diets for each of the 12 periods. Save the diets individually and then use the Feeding Info, Save to Summary and Go to Summary Report to accumulate results.
Does selection of Ionophore in Animal Type mean that ionophore will be fed? Selection of ionophore on the Animal Type page will increase the calculated net energy for maintenance (NEm) value of the diet by 12%. But, a feed containing an ionophore such as Rumensin, Bovatec or Posistac must be fed at the proper levels to achieve this NEm increase. For example, Rumensin is fed at levels between 11 to 33 mg/kg dry matter; Bovatec at 36 mg/kg dry matter and Posistac at 100 mg/head/day for feed efficiency. The ionophore level of the diet is calculated in the Ionophore column of the Input page. See manufacturer's directions for the product fed.
Is excess protein available as an energy source?
COWBYTES does not calculate the energy equivalent of excess protein after deamination and its entry into the Krebs cycle. We do know that excess protein can be deaminated and used for energy, but it is a very inefficient use of protein.
Similarly, COWBYTES does not penalize energy utilization when protein is low or deficient. Cattle will normally eat 10 to 20% LESS dry matter if protein is low or deficient compared to cattle with the correct levels of protein. So if protein is low, you can reduce DMI by 10 to 20% to account for less efficient use of energy. The reduction in intake associated with low protein diets can be related to a longer retention time due to a slower rate of digestion in the rumen. Note that animals on low protein diets tend to have large guts.
COWBYTES assumes that the dry matter intake and gain will be met ONLY if ALL other nutrients are met.
Why are replacement heifers lumped with feeders?
Replacement heifers or bulls and feeders have similar nutrient requirements.
Why does predicted dry matter intake bounce around?
Both the maximum and predicted dry matter intake are formula based and include variables such as animal weight, temperature and NEm concentration of the diet. As the diet energy concentration changes, there will be small differences in the predicted dry matter intake value. To see the difference that net energy for maintenance of the diet can have on the prediction of dry matter intake, select and feed either a low energy straw or a high energy alfalfa hay. Note the dry matter difference.
Why does the feed analysis not contain NDF, eNDF or DIP values?
Not all feed analysis reports contain a complete analysis of all nutrient densities. The Copy Feed function of the Edit Current Feed overlay in the Feed Table can be used to estimate those densities that have not been analyzed. When you enter your feedstuff, simply copy a feed already in the Feed Table, make the necessary changes and move the copied feed to the Input page for balancing. Remember to save the Feed Table if you wish this feed to be available next time. What is KIU?
The "K" is an abbreviation for one thousand. Therefore, a 10 million IU Vitamin A supplement is 10,000,000 IU/kg or 10,000 KIU/kg. Where do you put the protein from NPS (non protein source), for example, 32% supplement?
Within the Feed Table page we list several 32% supplements with different levels of urea. A 32% dairy supplement has 0% urea, 32% liquid is all urea, a 32-11 has 11% of its protein equivalent from urea and a 32-20 has 20% of its equivalent protein from urea. The difference due to the urea can be seen in the DIP (degradable intake protein) value. Note the increase in DIP% as urea content increases. There is a Help message related to urea.
Why is there no difference between selection of implant and not?
Selection of an implant increases dry matter intake (DMI) by 6%. The resulting effect for implanted cattle is an increase in energy intake above maintenance giving higher average daily gain and better feed conversions. When an ionophore and implant are used together, DMI is not adjusted, but NEm of the diet is increased by 12%. There appears to be a difference between estrogen and trenbolone acetate plus estrogen implants. A summary of six trials by Duckett and coworkers, 1997, showed a 2.5% increase in dry matter intake of TBA+E over strong estrogen implants. For those that want to make an adjustment for different implants, the simplest method would be to change recommended DMI. The above information suggests that TBA+E implants would be set at perhaps a 2% higher DMI than estrogen implants. An accurate prediction of gain is also needed so that protein requirements can be calculated correctly.
III. Problems in Earlier Versions
Problems in Version 3.01:
The following problems with Version 3.01 have been identified and fixed in Version 3.03.
#1. The shifting grid. Users with high resolution monitors may have seen their feeds shift to the right within the feed table. The problem is specific to a high resolution monitor.
#2 Unable to print ration and summary report files. This problem is related to the long pathway used in the installation program. It only occurs for those users that did not change the pathway at installation. The installation program default has been changed to install in the directory c:\Program Files\AAFRD\Cowbytes 3.0\ and the program has been changed to accept a longer pathway directory.
For current users, the problem can be fixed by:
- Within COWBYTES, reset the start-up file and feed table to "system" files by double clicking within the input boxes on the Startup Files section of the Config Tab, Save Configuration, exit COWBYTES.
- Go to your Windows Explorer to c:\Program Files\Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development\Cowbytes 3\. Double click on the subdirectory to get into edit mode. Using the File menu, rename the subdirectory to AAFRD and enter. Naming it AAFRD will allow future updates to find the current installation properly. Exit Windows Explorer.
- Change the shortcut icon pathway by right clicking COWBYTES icon, go to Properties, ShortCut and enter new pathway.
- Restart COWBYTES and reset the configuration to use your startup ration and feed table.
#3 New feeds result in incorrect energy level when mixed. The problem occurs for new feeds entered in the Input or Feed Table pages. It occurs only when an animal is pregnant and/or cold stressed.
#4 Change of feed name on Input page results in incorrect dry matter intake and DM Fed %. The problem is specific to diets imported from earlier DOS versions and where the Edit Current Feed overlay has not been used. You are encouraged to use the Edit Current Feed overlay (access by double clicking on any feed row on the Input or Feed Table pages). Alternatively, avoid loading old DOS ration files.
Saved ration files do not load or load only partially.
This problem occurred with users saving to 3.5 inch floppy disks. COWBYTES Versions 3.01 to 3.03 did not prompt the user when the disk was full. Therefore, files were not saved properly and could not be retrieved. This problem was fixed in Version 3.04 with COWBYTES prompting the user when insufficient disk space is available for the file to be saved.
Feeds Available and Feedstuffs Used Reports show edited nutrient values.
The trace mineral or Rumensin columns within the printed reports appear to have numbers dropped on the left and right of the value, i.e., 200,000 appears as 0000 where the 2 on the left and 0 on the right have been dropped. This problem appears most severe on reports from Lexmark printers. In addition there are numerous overlaps in printing on the report. Version 3.04 has corrected most of these print problems.
Program will not go back and get saved Summary files.
Users saving several summary files could not go back and retrieve a ration. The user was restricted to manual re-entry. Version 3.04 has been enhanced and now the user can go back to previously saved temporary files created during that program session.
Ration file name displayed in lower left corner is not current.
Version 3.04 has been changed so that current ration is displayed in lower left corner of page.
A change of the Modification tab does not result in changes on the Input page.
When files were saved after changing the values on the Modification tab, there was a change in the order of the animal descriptions which resulted in a loss of the link between the Modification table and the Input page. The problem has been corrected in Version 3.04.
Unable to uncreate or show a mix on the Input page.
The problem occurs due to the feedstuff name being a different allowable length between Mix and the Input pages. Shortening the name on the Mix page will allow for the uncreate and show functions to operate. This problem has been corrected in Version 3.04. |
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