HIND
HIND LIVE WEIGHT (kg)
LIVE WEIGHT CHANGE (g/d)
CALF WEANING WEIGHT (kg)
WEANING MONTH *
CURRENT MONTH

* Includes requirements to end of selected month

RESULTS

Feed Requirements (MJME/d)

??

Feed Requirements (kg DM/d)

??
??
??
LOW
(9 MJME/kg)
MED
(10 MJME/kg)
HIGH
(11 MJME/kg)

WEANER
WEANER LIVE WEIGHT (kg)
GENDER
MONTH
GROWTH RATE (g/d)

RESULTS

Feed Requirements (MJME/d)

??

Feed Requirements (kg DM/d)

??
??
??
LOW
(9 MJME/kg)
MED
(10 MJME/kg)
HIGH
(11 MJME/kg)


INFORMATION

What Is This?

DEERFeed is a simple calculator that uses the hind weight and the calf weaning weight and days to weaning to calculate total feed requirements of the hind or hind/calf pair to meet the liveweight targets set.

DEERFeed also calculates the requirements of growing weaners. Weaner feed requirements are calculated based on size and gender.

How is It Calculated?

The model assumes that calves are born in November and are 10 kg at birth. It makes no differentiation between hind and stag calves, apart from the user defined weaning weight. The calculated feed requirements for the hind calf pair include the weaning month chosen. This means that if calves are weaned, for example, in early March then February should be chosen as the weaning month.

Weaner feed requirements are calculated for hinds and stags. Recommended upper limits to potential growth are displayed if the target live weight gain is potentially too high. These limits depend on the month chosen and the current liveweight of the weaner, and are based on the seasonal intake variations that have been recorded in research.

The model uses estimates documented by Nicol and Brookes (The metabolisable energy requirements of grazing livestock, In Pasture and Supplements for Grazing Animals, Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 2007) for hinds and growth requirements for lactating calves.

Glossary

MJME/d
Megajoules of Metabolisable Energy (MJME) per day.

DM/d
Dry Matter (DM) per day.