PRINCIPLES OF FODDER BALANCE FACTOR EVALUATION

Among existing animal feed balance assessment systems the method of evaluation of fodder balance factor is the most objective and scientifically proven. This method is based on geometric interpretation of balance factor values symmetrical transfer which allows obtaining comparable values that are easily applicable practically. The fodder balance factor can be applied for assessing a complete feed variety as a whole or by constituent elements, for quality assessment of the supplied fodder, etc. Farms or territorial units, etc. may establish a feed factor gradation system which would allow the application of a 5 grade scale (for example, perfectly balanced feed) or design any other system. For farming husbandries and agricultural districts a special gradation system may be designed which will allow applying a five-point grading scale or any other grading scale for evaluation of the feed balance index. This will promote a better performance analysis for crop farms in providing animal farms with feed materials. When an animal farm signs a contract with a producer of animal feed, it will be the feed balance index that will determine the terms of delivery of feed materials and the order of payments for the delivered production. The division of a year into two parts is recommended, because in summers and winters animals are not fed the same ration. However, a well-balanced feed ration may be secured also in these periods, even when cows are kept in a barn throughout the year. Short periods in autumn should also be taken into account, when the cattle is moved from pastures to barns, and especially in spring, when the cattle is moved from the holding barns to grazing pastures. However, these two periods have little impact on the average balance factor of a ration, and attention should be paid generally to major feed elements, macro and micro nutrients. Spring and autumn transition periods should be taken into account when very precise calculations are required. The feed balance index may be applied also to the analysis of livestock productivity, e.g. dairy cow milk yield.