Online Training of Feed Formulation Using Software

Lecturers interested in Nutrition and Animal Feed Faculty of Animal Science Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB) held an online training on feed formulation using software, Saturday (6/11/2021). Participants in this activity, which is a form of community service, come from various circles, ranging from undergraduate, master, doctoral students to independent breeders.

The resource persons presented were Prof. M. Halim Natsir (expert lecturer in feed technology and poultry feed formulation) who conveyed the preparation of feed formulations using software and excel. And Dr. Osfar Sjofjan (an expert lecturer in animal feed biotechnology) shared the basic theoretical material for preparing the feed.

According to Dr. Osfar, feed is the most important factor in livestock production. Because good quality feed can increase livestock productivity. So it is necessary to prepare feed formulations to create the feed needed by livestock.

“There are four factors in the preparation of feed formulations, including the nutritional content of feed ingredients, the nutritional needs of livestock according to strain and age, the limits of each feed ingredient, and the price of feed ingredients,” said Osfar.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the development of national feed factories continues to increase. This is because to increase immunity in humans, it is necessary to have high-quality animal protein intake such as meat, milk, and eggs.

Meanwhile, Prof. Halim said software is a tool, but the success of formulating must be based on the basic theory of feed preparation. The software displayed in this training is Microsoft excel and UB feed poultry.

“In the Microsoft Excel software, there is no need to create formulas anymore, because there are clickable menus, such as the need for nutrients, the content of feed ingredients, and formulations. With these menus we can formulate feed according to the needs of the poultry.” explained Halim (team/dta)