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Feedlot managers and consultants across the country are utilizing a feedyard analysis computer program introduced last fall by Intervet. The program, which provides a "high-tech handle" on feedlot performance analysis, is being used by more than 500 producers, veterinarians and nutritionists. "There is nothing like PRISIM in the feedlot today," says Paul Koffman, Intervet's market manager of performance enhancers. "Response from customers and beef industry leaders has been excellent because of the value and assistance PRISIM brings to their operations." PRISIM stands for Performance Reports for Integrated Solutions in Management. PRISIM is a collection of 20 computer programs that allows you to determine various parameters useful in formulating and assessing feedlot diets and performance. The programs use accepted formulas based on data from an extensive database. There are a number of the tools in the toolbox that are interrelated or can be used to determine information to be used in another tool. The calculations are based on the type of cattle (large framed, medium framed) , the sex of cattle (heifers, bulls, steers, and mature thin cows), the age of animals (calves and yearlings), and the breed. Prisim Tools 1. Analysis of Variance - Observed Vs Expected. There is no standard that exists for Average Daily Gain and Feed Efficiency, but energy intake/energy gain is a reliable standard. Feed intake and average daily gain are a predictable function of energy intake for different classes of cattle. This tool calculates Expected Feed Intake and Expected Feed/Gain based on the NEm value of the diet and the Observed Average Daily Gain. 2. Break-even Generator. This program calculates break-even prices for cattle based on: expected performance; break-even calculated at expected performance and at an ADG 0.1 lbs./day less than and greater than expected; growth performance where cost of gain exceeds break-even; relation between purchase price and breakeven; and projected break-evens for various slaughter weights 3. Generalized Dry Matter Intake Generator for Feedlot Cattle. This program uses a "stretch equation" to predict Dry Matter Intake, Average Daily Gain and Nutrient Requirements during any portion of the feeding period. The equation predicts gain, intake, and feed cost of gain at weekly intervals during the selected feeding period. The Nutrient Requirement are predicted for the average weight of the cattle during the selected period. 4. Generalized Gain Simulation for Feedlot Cattle predicts current (performance at "Peak Intake") and overall performance based on observed maximal intake. If you can increase "Peak Intake" of cattle you can increase overall performance of the cattle. Once cattle reach "Peak Intake" you can predict overall performance of the cattle. 5. Nutrient Requirements. This tool can be used to calculate the nutrient requirements of feedlot cattle during any portion of the feeding period. 6. Analysis of Intake - Predict Gain. The program is used to predict Average Daily Gain at any point in the feeding period based on Dry Matter Intake. 7. Analysis of Gain - Predicts Intake. This tool is used to predict Feed Intake based on predicted or measures of Average Daily Gain 8. Program Growth - Feed Allowance Generator. This tool calculates the daily dry matter intake required to achieve a desired rate of gain. 9. Limited Maximum Intake. This is a feeding strategy used during the transition period when putting cattle on feed. Only two diets are used, a starter diet and the finisher diet. Cattle are switched from the starter diet to ad libitum finisher diet over a four-week period by limit feeding the finisher during the four-week transition period. The nutrient requirements are also calculated for the finisher diet. 10. Program Plateau Intake Generator for Feedlot Cattle. This is a feeding program that is being used for feeding calves. Only two rations are used, a starter ration and a finishing ration. Calves are grown out by limit feeding the finishing diet. 11. Energy Transformations. If you know one of the following: NEm, NEg, ME, DE, or TDN, you can determine any of the other energy measurements. 12. Estimated Energy Values Based on Growth Performance. This program calculates the NEm and NEg values of a diet based on the Average Daily Gain and Feed Intake of a pen of cattle. 13. Estimated Energy Values Based on Diet Composition. Energy values, NEm and NEg, of a diet are calculated based on the chemical composition of the diet, ie. percent ash, percent acid detergent fiber, percent crude protein, and percent lipid. 14. Estimated Starch Digestion Based on Fecal Starch for High Grain Finishing Rations.. The feed formulation will give you the overall starch digestibility based on the diet formulation (click on Digestive Function Tab in the Feed Formulator Program). 15. Estimate Flake Density Based on Flake Thickness. The feeding value of flaked grain is related to the bushel weight of the flaked grain. 16. Feeding Value of Supplemental Fat. This tool shows the influence of feeding supplemental fat on the feeding value of the fat. 17. Estimated Ruminal Ammonia. The ruminal ammonia level can be predicted from the % crude protein and NEm of the diet. 18. Influence of Diet on Dressing Percentage. This program calculates expected decrease in dressing percentage as the NEm of the diet decreases. 19. Water Intake. Water intake varies by breed type, average and maximum temperature, salt content of the diet and average precipitation (inches/day). Three estimates of daily water intake are calculated; Zinn (1990), Winchester & Morris (1956) and Hicks et al. (1988). Estimates are for warm climates. 20. Feed Formulator. Used to formulate diets, ingredient composition, diet composition, metabolizable protein and amino acids, and digestive function of a diet. The relative value of different sources of energy is automatically calculated. Novel feed ingredients can be added to the ingredient list. Prisim was originally developed by Dr. Richard Zinn from the University of California at El Centro. Dr. Zinn developed this program to assist cattle producers in making sound management and economic decisions. By using these tools in a variety of different ways the producer can determine what impact a specific decision may have on performance and profitability. These tools are especially useful in predicting animal performance, analysis of that performance, breakevens at different days or weights, breakevens for feeder cattle and live cattle, and predicting gain, intake, and weights for cattle on feed at various days and/or weights. "What If" Program Compares Management Decisions Prisim can be used very effectively as a stand-alone tool or can be used with the Intervet "What-If" program. The "What-If" program is an Excel based program developed by Dr. Wade T. Nichols which allows a producer to compare two different management decisions simultaneously and the inherent effects that decision will have on performance and profitability. The feedlot "What-If" program allows the producer to see the results of the decision in either live based selling or grade and yield based selling. Through some manipulation it can also do grid based selling. These programs are available to Intervet customers through their sales representative. For more information on Prisim or "What If," call Paul Koffman at 800-992-8051. |
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