|
WinFeed 2.8 Help Documentation
Contents
- WinFeed Formulation Modes
- Important Note about Supplied
Examples
- Opening Window
- Main Window
- Feed Store Window
- Standard Deviation Window
- Nutrient Ratio Window
- Shadow Price Window
- Batch Sheet Window
WinFeed Formulation Modes
WinFeed prepares least cost formula diets for ruminants and non-ruminants
by using following two methods.
To learn more about Linear or Stochastic
feed formulation click on the respective link.
WinFeed is very simple and straightforward software.
Most of the controls are self explanatory. Anybody familiar with
Microsoft Windows and basic terminologies of Animal Nutrition can
learn it in few minutes. However, few things are explained here.
If you need further help, please visit our web site or send us an
email for support and the latest documentation.
Important Note about
Supplied Examples
WinFeed comes with few examples of Feed Store and
readymade formulae. Please note that these examples are just for
understanding of the programme. They should not be used for real
life feeding practice. The nutrient composition has been selected
to be reasonable but there is no guarantee for their accuracy. It
is recommended to prepare your own nutrient composition database
and formulas for real life feed formulation.
Opening Window
This window provides the following options.
Open an already saved formula
This option will let you open a previously saved formula. Few example
formulas have been provided with WinFeed. These formulas can be
open through this option.
Select Animal Requirement Set and an appropriate Feed Store
This is one of the most important functions of this software. WinFeed
allows you to save animal's nutrient requirement in one file and
the Feed Store (Ingredient Composition Database) in another file.
For example, you can have various requirement files like "Nutrient
Requirement for Broiler", "Nutrient Requirement for Layer
Finisher", Nutrient Requirement for Lamb", Nutrient Requirement
for Dairy Cow" etc. in separate files. Similarly you can save
various Feed Stores such as "Feed Store for Summer Season",
"Feed Store for Poultry", "Feed Store for Region
1", "Feed Store for Cattle Region 2", etc. Once you
have these files ready, you can use this option to select one requirement
set such as "Nutrient Requirement for Broiler" and an
appropriate Feed Store such as "Feed Store for Summer Season",
and then start formulation. Few example requirement sets and Feed
Store have been provided with WinFeed. Please try them to understand
this function.
Start a new formula using an existing Feed Store
By selecting this option you can start a new formula with a selected
Feed Store. When you click on this option, you will be asked to
select a Feed Store file. After selecting Feed Store, you will be
taken to the Main Window where you can select ingredients to be
used in formulation. You will also be required to enter nutrient
requirements manually in the Main Window.
Start a brand new formula with a new Feed Store
Probably this is the option you will be using very first time.
When you select this option a blank Feed Store and a blank formula
will be opened. You will have to enter Ingredients and their price
and nutrient composition in the Feed Store Window. The Feed Store
Window can be accessed from the Main Window. You will also be required
to enter nutrient requirement values in the Main Window.
Import Animal Nutrient Requirements from MS Excel file
This function lets you import Animal Requirements
from an Excel file into WinFeed. Many organisations publish Feeding
Standards in MS Excel format. After changing data order in these
files according to WinFeed required pattern, these files can be
directly import into WinFeed. Thus this function not only saves
your time but also prevents data entry typo errors.
This function is very sensitive. It will not work
if any of the instructions given below is not followed. The data
must be exactly in a specific order. An example Excel files "Example
28 Requirements.xls" has been provided with WinFeed. This file
should be examined thoroughly to understand required format. This
example Excel file can be found in "Animal Requirements"
folder. Carefully examine this file to understand required format.
The first three rows are for any reference and column
heading. The file contains names of nutrients in the first column,
nutrients requirements or minimum limits in the second column and
maximum limits in the third column. The following instructions must
be followed when preparing Excel file.
- Only first three columns A, B and C of the Excel
worksheet should be used for data entry. All the cells under column
D and onward must be deleted. If there is any data under these
columns, the file will not be imported into WinFeed. Sometime
there are blank spaces under column D or next. These spaces are
also interpreted as data and such files are failed when using
import function. If this happens, select whole column D and onward
and press Delete key. Once everything has been deleted from this
area, the file will become importable.
- The first two rows under column A, B and C are
just for any reference or column headings. The third row is for
column headings. These three rows can also be left blank. Please
note any reference entered in these cells should be just for the
Excel file itself because nothing is imported from these cells.
- Nutrient names should be entered in column A starting
from the cell A4. Nutrient names should not exceed 25 characters
in length including spaces and should not be duplicate. Do not
use special characters like [ , ' or " ] in names.
- The first nutrient must always be "Dry Matter
%age". This is because WinFeed uses values of the first nutrient
to convert other As-Fed basis values into dry matter basis values
or vice versa.
- Column B is reserved for animal's nutrient requirements
or lower limits of nutrient requirements. Start entering values
from the cell B4.
- If there are any maximum limits, enter them in
Column C starting from the cell C4.
- If any value is not available, leave the respective
cell blank.
- The file import function is very sensitive.
It will not work if any of the above instructions is ignored.
Import Feed Store from MS Excel file
This function lets you convert data from an Excel
file into WinFeed Feed Store. This function is very sensitive and
it will not work if any of the instructions given below is not followed.
If you are importing data for Stochastic Formulation
then two Excel files are required to perform this task. If you are
importing data for Linear Formulation then only one file containing
Mean values is required. These Excel files must be is a specific
format. Two example Excel files are provided with WinFeed. These
files should be examined thoroughly to understand the required format.
The names of these files are
- Example 28 for Means.xls
- Example 28 for SD.xls
The first file contains names of ingredients, names
of nutrients, ingredients' batch number, ingredients' description
and mean values of ingredients' nutrient composition. The second
Excel file contains similar information except instead of nutrient
composition mean values it contains Standard Deviation values corresponding
to mean values in the first file. The following instructions must
be followed when preparing Excel files to be imported as WinFeed
Feed Store.
- The first two rows are for any reference or short
notes. Nothing is imported from these two rows.
- The cell A3 indicates basis for the nutrient composition
values. Enter 1 in this cell if values are on As-Fed basis and
enter 2 if values are on dry matter basis.
- Ingredient names must be entered in column A starting
from the cell A4. The ingredient names should not exceed 25 characters
in length including spaces.
- If there are ingredients' batch numbers, they must
be entered in column B starting from the cell B4. The batch numbers
should not exceed 50 characters including spaces.
- Column C is reserved for ingredients' description.
The description should not exceed 50 characters in length including
spaces.
- Column D is reserved for ingredients' price. The
data in this column must be in numeric form. No units should be
mentioned along with price values.
- Column E is reserved for ingredients' Dry Matter
in percentage. The values should be in numeric form without %
sign.
- Nutrients names must be entered in the third row
starting from column F to onward. It means the name of first nutrient
should be entered in cell F3, the second in G3, the third in H3
and so on. The nutrient names should not exceed 25 characters
in length including spaces.
- Obviously, nutrient composition data should be
entered starting from the cell F4.
- The second Excel file should have exactly similar
structure except nutrient composition data which is started from
cell F4 should be replaced with Standard Deviation (SD) values
corresponding to mean values in the first file. SD values are
required only if Stochastic Formulation is intended. Linear Formulation
does not use SD values.
- Any column or rows that are not being used must
be blank. If they contain any values or even spaces, the file
will not work in the import function. If that happens, select
all unused columns and press Delete key. Similarly, select all
unused rows and press Delete key. Then save the file and it will
become importable.
- The file import function is very sensitive.
It will not work if any of the above instructions is ignored.
Registering WinFeed as a Full Version
An "Unblocking Key" is required to register
and convert the demo version as a full version. This key can be
found on the Licence Certificate. If it has been lost a duplicate
key can be obtained from WinFeed Sales Department. A proof of purchase
will be required.
Main Window
This is the main window which contains all the controls
for feed formulation. All selected ingredients, their minimum and
maximum limits and calculated formula appear on left side. All nutrients,
their minimum and maximum limits and nutrient analysis of the calculated
formula appear on the right side.
Formulation Method
The formulation method can be selected as "Linear"
or "Stochastic". The probability box will be automatically
enabled if formulation method is selected as "Stochastic".
The valid value of probability of success ranges from 50 to 99.99
%. Do not put "%" with the value. 80% will be written
as 80. Please note that Stochastic Formulation at 50% probability
of success is exactly same as Linear Formulation. It is because
the standard normal deviate of 0.5 is zero.
Formulation Basis
The formulation Basis radio buttons provide options
for "As-Fed Basis" or "Dry Matter Basis". These
options indicate basis for nutrient requirements. When entering
nutrient requirements, you must tell WinFeed the basis for these
requirements. This is a very critical point. An improper selection
of basis will result in an incorrect formula. In monogastric animals,
e.g. poultry, usually nutrient requirements are reported on "As-Fed
Basis". However, in ruminants requirements are expressed on
"Dry Matter Basis". But this is not always the case. You
must always look for basis when collecting nutrient requirement
from any source.
The resultant formula will be on same basis as that
of nutrient requirements. For example, if nutrient requirements
are entered on "As-Fed Basis", the formula will be on
"As-Fed Basis" too. The mixing sheet will automatically
calculate final formulas on both basis. To prepare a mixing sheet
click on the button labeled as "Make Batch".
Formula Price
The price per unit of the calculated formula appears
under the Formula Price box. No units for weight or currency are
mentioned here. The weight and currency units are same which are
used in Feed Store database. For example if ingredient price in
the Feed Store is entered in £ /kg, the price of the formula
will also be in £ /kg. If ingredient price in the Feed Store
is entered in $ /ton, the price of the formula will also be in $
/ton. Because WinFeed does not take currency units in consideration
while making formula, it is important that all price values should
be entered in the same units throughout the programme
Date and Time
This box shows date and time when actual formulation
was done.
Ingredients' Min Max Limits
Feed formulation is done on percentage bases. Therefore,
ingredients' minimum and maximum limits should be in percentage
but without mentioning any symbol or unit. For example "5.8%"
should be entered as "5.8".
If an ingredient has to be set at a fixed level then
both minimum and maximum values should be entered as same. For example
if you want to keep Mineral Mixture fixed at "1%" then
its both min and max values should be "1". See example
formulae for further understanding.
Nutrients' Min Max Limits
Nutrient limits are not in any specific units. Any
units could used to describe nutrient levels. However, these units
should remain same through out the programme. To fix nutrient at
a specific level use same values for minimum and maximum limits.
Previous Formula / Recent Formula
This function let you see the last formula. Once this
button is clicked the last formula is displayed and the label of
the button is changed to "Recent Formula". Again clicking
on this button will display the recent formula. WinFeed remembers
the last formula temporarily. This information will be lost if any
major function such as Feed Store, Formulation Method, Ingredient
Selection etc. are used. Once this information is lost, the button
will be greyed out.
Nutrient Ratio List Box
This list box shows all the nutrient ratios that have
been set in "Nutrient Ratio Window". It also shows calculated
values of the respective ratios.
Bag Size and Cost per Bag
These fields show feed bag size and the price of one
bag. These values are useful for commercial feed millers. They can
have a quick look that if current formula is used, what will be
the cost of a bag. Usually feed bags are of 50 Kg, therefore default
bag size is 50. If you are using a different size bag or you want
to see the price of whole batch, this default value can be changed
according to the requirement.
Save Animal's Nutrient Requirements
This function lets you save Animal's Nutrient Requirement
Set in a separate file. These files can be used in future for formulation.
To find out how to use them please see help section of Opening Window.
Save Formula as a Text File
By selecting this command under File menu you can
save a formula and its nutrient analysis in a text file. This text
file can be opened in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel for further
processing.
Save Formula as CSV file
A CSV file is a "Comma Separated Values"
text file. Such files are also known as "Comma Delimited"
files. This is a common format to exchange data between different
worksheet and database applications. If you intend to transfer your
final formula into MS Excel or any other database, you can save
your formula as CSV file. In these files each value is separated
by a comma. MS Excel puts every value separated by a comma into
a separate cell. Once you have opened a CSV file in MS Excel, save
it as Excel file (.xls) for further use.
Save Animal Requirements as CSV file
As described above CSV files are special text files
in which each value is separated by a comma. Using this function
you can save Animal Nutrient Requirements into a CSV file and then
that file can be opened in MS Excel or any other database for further
manipulation. Once you have opened a CSV file in MS Excel, save
it in Excel format (.xls) if you intend to import that file back
into WinFeed.
Feed Store Window
This window manages a database of all available ingredients
and their nutrient composition. Ingredient names are listed on the
left side and nutrient details appear on the right side. There is
no limit for maximum number of ingredients or nutrients in the database.
Ingredient List
A list of all ingredient in the Feed Store database
is displayed on left side of the Feed Store window.
In Stock
WinFeed does not use any ingredient unless it is available
or declared as In Stock. Left to Ingredient list in the Feed Store
is a series of check boxes. If a box is checked, it shows that ingredient
is available and could be used for formulation. If an ingredient
is not available or you do not want to include that ingredient in
formulation, just un-check its corresponding box by clicking on
it. Once the check box is clear, that ingredient will not be used
in formulation.
Whenever a new ingredient is added, it corresponding
check box will be clear and that ingredient will not be used in
formulation until it corresponding check box is crossed by clicking
on it.
Search Ingredient
This utility is helpful when looking for a specific
ingredient in a large feed Store. "Show All" option shows
all the ingredients and the other option shows only those ingredient
that match the given criteria entered in the search filed.
Nutrient List
A list of nutrients in the Feed Store is displayed
right next to ingredient list. In this list first column shows nutrient
names, the second column shows nutrient values and the third column
is for SD (Standard Deviation) values. The first nutrient in the
nutrient list is always "Dry Matter in percentage".
Dry Matter
The first box in the nutrient list is reserved for
Ingredients' Dry Matter. This place cannot be changed or deleted.
Standard Deviation (SD) Column
This column contains standard deviation values of
the respective nutrients. These values are required only in Stochastic
Feed Formulation. For Linear Feed Formulation these can be left
as zeros. A small utility to calculate Mean and SD is provided with
WinFeed. This utility can be started by clicking "Calculate
Mean and SD" under Tools Menu.
Ingredient Price
This filed is reserved for Ingredient price. You
must enter values in this field or otherwise formulation will not
work. It is important that units for weight and currency should
remain same throughout the database. Also the basis of price should
be same as of nutrient composition. For example, if nutrient composition
is entered on "Dry Matter Basis", the ingredient price
should also be entered on "Dry Matter Basis".
Ingredient Reference and Description
As indicated by names, these fields are reserved for
ingredient reference and description. These are optional fields
and can be left blank.
Many laboratories and institutes use specific sample
numbers or reference numbers to identify various samples of an ingredient.
These reference numbers can be entered in the "Reference Field"
to quickly identify the source of nutrient analysis entered in the
Feed Store. Similarly, the "Description" field is a short
description of the corresponding ingredient. For example a description
for Soybean could be something like "Dehulled and Solvent Extracted,
48% CP grade" or it could be simply an indication of the source
of analytical values like "Analysis taken from NRC FeedStuff
Composition Tables 1994".
Sync and Update
This is one of the most important and charismatic
feature of WinFeed. This function updates current Feed Store database
by synchronizing it with another Feed Store file. For example, you
have prepared ten different Feed Store files. Later on you find
out that new batch of one ingredient has different nutrient composition
than before and this ingredient is present in all previous Feed
Store files. Now you will have to open each Feed Store to manually
change nutrient composition of this ingredient. If you use Sync
and Update function then this task will be accomplished in seconds.
To do this open one Feed Store file and enter ingredient's composition
manually. Now save and close this Feed Store. Once this has been
done, you can synchronize other Feed Store files with this Feed
Store by using Sync and Update function. Simply, open other Feed
Store files one by one and click Sync and Update button to synchronize
them with the manually updated Feed Store file. Do not forget to
save changes after using synchronization function.
If you have already prepared formulas and their ingredient
composition has been changed since when they were prepared, you
can use Sync and Update function to update integrated Feed Store
of these formulas in the same way as mentioned above. Do not forget
to re-formulate after making any change in the integrated Feed Store
of existing formulation.
Nutrient Composition Basis
The Nutrient Composition Basis radio buttons provide
options for "As-Fed Basis" or "Dry Matter Basis".
It indicates basis for nutrient composition. This is a very critical
option. An improper selection of basis will result in incorrect
formulation.
As soon as the basis is changed by radio button the
composition data is also recalculated on new basis. Basis should
not be changed very often because the data is rounded after every
recalculation. Changing basis multiple times will accumulate rounding
error in the original values. In cases where data values are very
small, the values could become inaccurate due to the accumulated
rounding error.
Add, Delete, Rename buttons
Either ingredient or nutrient can be added, deleted
or renamed. New ingredient or nutrient will be added at current
curser position. To add a new ingredient at the end of the list,
click just after the last ingredient and then click Add button.
To rename an ingredient or nutrient click on their name and then
click the respective Rename button.
To delete an ingredient or a nutrient use respective
delete function from ingredient or nutrient menu.
Save Feed Store as a Text File
By selecting this command under File menu you can
save a Feed Store in a text file. This text file can be opened in
Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel for further processing.
Save Feed Store as a CSV file
A CSV file is a "Comma Separated Values"
text file. These files are also known as "Comma Delimited"
files. This is a common format to exchange data between different
worksheet and database applications. If you intend to transfer your
Feed Store into MS Excel or any other database, you can save your
Feed Store as CSV file. In these files each value is separated by
a comma. MS Excel puts every value separated by a comma into a separate
cell. Once you have opened a CSV file in MS Excel, save it as an
Excel file (.xls) for further use or to import back into WinFeed.
Mean and SD Calculation Utility
Mean and corresponding SD (Standard Deviation) values
are required for Stochastic Formulation. A small utility is provided
in WinFeed to calculate these values. For detail see under Mean
and SD Window.
Mean and Standard
Deviation (SD) Calculation Window
This window contains a small utility to calculate
mean and standard deviation (SD). Enter data values in the middle
box separated by space or commas or one value in one row by pressing
enter. For example, suppose there are six different values of corn
protein as 8.8, 8.6, 8.3, 8.1, 8.4, 8.9. To calculate mean and standard
deviation (SD) of this data set, these values can be entered in
the data box either in the form
8.8, 8.6, 8.3, 8.1, 8.4, 8.9
or
8.8 8.6 8.3 8.1 8.4 8.9
or
8.8
8.6
8.3
8.1
8.4
8.9
Select Ingredient
Window
All ingredients entered in the Feed Store do not appear
in the main window unless they have been selected through the Select
Ingredient Window. This utility helps to keep the main window tidy.
It is important to remember that when a new ingredient is added
in the Feed Store, it will not appear in the main window automatically
unless it has been added to the list of selected ingredients from
the Select Ingredient Window.
Nutrient Ratio Window
This window contains controls to set a ratio between
nutrients. For example, to maintain a constant ratio of Calcium
to Phosphorus as 1.5, select Calcium as first nutrient, Phosphorus
as second (bottom) nutrient, an equal sign "=" from pop
down list and enter 1.5 in the last box. Following it, click on
Add button to add this instruction in the programme algorithm. Once
entered these ratios can be edited or deleted by clicking on the
respective button.
This utility can also be used to maintain a ratio
between forage and concentrate for ruminant diets. For this purpose
enter two special nutrients named "Forage" and "Concentrate"
in the Feed Store. Enter Forage value as 100 and Concentrate value
as 0 for all forages. Similarly, enter Forage value as 0 and Concentrate
value as 100 for all concentrates. Then in nutrient ratio window
add Forage to Concentrate ratio according to your requirement. Please
see built in example formulae for Cattle and Sheep for details.
Shadow Price Window
Shadow Prices indicate that how much a formula price
could potentially be reduced if a particular limit is relaxed up
to one unit. It is an over all analysis of the formula. For example,
consider a formulation problem in which minimum limit for protein
is set at 23%. When this problem is solved the formula price comes
as 160 dollars and the shadow price of minimum limit of protein
is appears as 5.0. It means if minimum limit of protein is set at
22% and the problem is solved again the formula price will be reduced
to 155 dollars. Similarly consider another situation in which maximum
limit of inclusion of soybean is set at 40%. When the problem is
solved, the formula price comes as 80 dollars and the shadow price
of maximum limit of soybean appears as 1.75. It shows that if maximum
limit of inclusion of soybean is set at 41% and the problem is solved
again the formula price will be reduced to 78.25 dollars.
Remember that shadow price indicates only potential
reduction in the formula price. This reduction will only happen
if the relaxed unit is actually utilised. For example, in the above
situation the formula price will be reduced to 78.25, only if 41%
soybean is used in the formula. If for some reason soybean is still
being used only 40%, the formula price will not be reduced.
Shadow Price Window also shows competitive
prices for those ingredients that have not been included
in the formula. A competitive price shows at what price that ingredient
could be used in the formula.
Batch Sheet Window
This window helps in preparation of different batchs
from a calculated formula. You can prepare any batch size. This
window also shows formula on Dry matter basis and As-Fed basis separately.
Quantity Required
Enter amount of total batch size here. By default
it calculates for 1000 Kg. TO make a batch of different size, change
this value to required value and press "Enter" key. A
batch for new value will be calculated and displayed immediately.
Rounded Total
This shows the total size of the batch after rounding
"As Fed" batch quantities.
Digit
This is the number of decimal digit for rounding.
By default all values are rounded up to two decimal digits. The
default value can be changed under Digit column. An individual value
can be selected for each ingredient.
Date and Time
This box shows date and time when actual batch was
prepared.
Cost per Bag
This filed shows price of one feed bag if current
formula is used. The bag size is same as selected in Main Window.
Save Batch as a Text File
By selecting this command under File menu you can
save a Batch in a text file. This text file can be opened in Microsoft
Word or Microsoft Excel for further processing.
Save Batch as a CSV file
A CSV file is a "Comma Separated Values"
text file. These files are also known as "Comma Delimited"
files. This is a common format to exchange data between different
worksheet and database applications. If you intend to transfer your
Batch into MS Excel or any other database, you can save your Batch
as a CSV file. In these files each value is separated by a comma.
MS Excel puts every value separated by a comma into a separate cell.
Once you have opened a CSV file in MS Excel, save it as an Excel
file (.xls) for further use.
Print Batch
Print function lets you to print final batch on a
paper.
Print Batch Only
This function lets you print only ingredient names
and rounded batch values. This function is useful if you give batch
sheet to feed mill operator and wish to keep formula analysis and
formula price secret.
|
