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Optimizing Cattle Feed with Science

2025-01-01

Feeding cattle is often the single largest expense for livestock operations. Balancing rations effectively isn't just about saving money—it's about ensuring your animals get exactly the nutrition they need to thrive.

The Challenge of Feed Costs

Grain and forage prices fluctuate wildly. Relying on a fixed ration ("the way we've always done it") usually means you are either:

  1. Under-feeding key nutrients (reduced growth/milk)
  2. Over-feeding expensive proteins (wasting money)

Enter the Pearson Square

The Pearson Square is a simplified method for solving a two-variable equation. It allows you to calculate the precise proportion of two feed sources needed to achieve a target nutrient percentage (usually crude protein).

Try the Ration Balancer

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How to use it manually

Traditionally, you would draw a square, write your target protein in the center, and your two feed protein percentages on the corners. Then you subtract diagonally...

Or, you can just use modern technology to do it for you instantly.

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