Web Summary In the not so distant past, feed manufacturers used to balance their feeds using hand calculations and often relied on tedious trial and error methods. The availability of commercial computers by the end of the 1960s meant that complex mathematical models could be solved much more easily and within a short duration of time. Twenty years later, the arrival of the personal computer provided affordable feed formulation solutions to the feed industry. Advancements in computer technology, mathematical modeling and animal nutrition have resulted in vast improvements in the last 20-25 years in the way feeds are formulated. Least-cost feed formulation is combining many feed ingredients in a certain proportion to provide the target animal with a balanced nutritional feed at the least possible cost. Though least-cost formulation is a mathematical solution based on linear programming, it requires the professional knowledge of animal nutritionists who take into consideration the nutrient requirements of the target animal and its capability to digest and assimilate nutrients from various available ingredients. There is a broad choice of feed formulation software packages in the market. The software range from simple, spreadsheet-based solutions to sophisticated and complex packages designed for large feed manufacturers that require multi-site, multi-server, and multi-blending capabilities. New and innovative add-on applications are being developed and introduced into the market every year. The software packages may also provide modules for inventory control, production, and interfaces to accounting systems among other features. Some feed formulation software are specifically designed for a certain species and they may provide tables of nutrient requirements or models of growth for those specific animals. Further, improvements in the look and feel of the software and seamless integration with other functionalities related to formulation also occur routinely. These applications and improvements enable feed formulators to perform their jobs much more efficiently. This article is meant to be a primer on least-cost formulation sofware and their applications. While explaining the fundamentals of least-cost formulation, the author also goes over more advanced features such as shadow prices, price maps and nutrient factoring. A must-read for those who want a concise introduction to least-cost formulation. Full Paper
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