YielixFeed Ration Builder — Livestock Ration Calculator with Dry Matter & Nutrient Breakdown
Build feed rations with multiple ingredients and see nutrient totals on a dry matter basis. The calculator converts as-fed quantities to dry matter, then calculates crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contributions from each ingredient. Compare feeds fairly regardless of moisture content and get a clear nutrient profile for your ration.
Inputs Explained
- Feed Ingredient
- Select from a list of common feed ingredients (corn silage, alfalfa hay, soybean meal, etc.) with NRC standard nutrient values pre-loaded.
- As-Fed Quantity
- The amount of feed as you weigh it — including moisture. Enter in kg or lb. The calculator converts this to dry matter using the ingredient's DM percentage.
- Dry Matter %
- The percentage of the feed that is actual nutritive material (not water). Hay is typically 88-90% DM; corn silage is about 35% DM. Pre-filled from NRC tables but editable.
- CP, TDN, NDF %
- Nutrient concentrations on a dry matter basis. Pre-filled from NRC reference values. Override with your own forage test results for greater accuracy.
How This Calculator Works
Worked Example
Building a ration with 10 kg corn silage (35% DM, 8% CP, 70% TDN) and 5 kg alfalfa hay (90% DM, 18% CP, 58% TDN)
- 1. Convert corn silage to DM
10 kg x 0.35 = 3.5 kg DM. CP contribution = 3.5 x 0.08 = 0.28 kg. TDN contribution = 3.5 x 0.70 = 2.45 kg.
- 2. Convert alfalfa hay to DM
5 kg x 0.90 = 4.5 kg DM. CP contribution = 4.5 x 0.18 = 0.81 kg. TDN contribution = 4.5 x 0.58 = 2.61 kg.
- 3. Sum totals
Total DM = 8.0 kg. Total CP = 1.09 kg. Total TDN = 5.06 kg.
- 4. Calculate ration percentages
CP% = 1.09 / 8.0 x 100 = 13.6%. TDN% = 5.06 / 8.0 x 100 = 63.3%.
Ration provides 8.0 kg DM with 13.6% CP and 63.3% TDN on a dry matter basis.
How to Interpret Your Results
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| CP% below target for production level | The ration may not meet protein requirements. Consider adding a protein supplement like soybean meal or increasing the proportion of legume hay. |
| TDN% below 55% on DM basis | Energy is low. The ration is heavy on mature forage. Add grain or higher-quality forage to increase energy density. |
| NDF% above 65% on DM basis | The ration is very fibrous and may limit intake. High-NDF rations fill the rumen before the animal meets its energy needs, reducing production. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Comparing feeds on an as-fed basis instead of dry matter
A kg of silage (35% DM) contains far less nutrition than a kg of hay (90% DM). Always compare on a DM basis for meaningful nutrient comparisons.
Using book values instead of forage test results
NRC values are averages. Actual nutrient content varies with harvest maturity, growing conditions, and storage. Lab-tested values improve ration accuracy significantly.
Forgetting that this calculator totals nutrients but does not balance the diet
Balancing requires specific targets for species, weight, and production stage plus minerals and vitamins. Use these totals as a starting point and consult a nutritionist.
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Related Guides
Understanding Dry Matter and Feed Rations
Learn why dry matter basis matters for comparing feeds, how to read feed test results, and how to build a basic ration for your livestock.
Feed Conversion Efficiency: Measuring and Improving FCR
Understand feed conversion ratio, what affects it, how to track it, and species benchmarks for evaluating your herd performance.