A simple way to balance a ration

If you are a goat producer, there is a simple way to balance a ration for your goats. The E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research at Langston University in Oklahoma has developed an online ration balancer and nutrient requirement calculator for goats.

The program calculates energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus requirements and predicts intake of goats. It uses English units of lbs. and TDN. The calculator has default values when inputs are not known.

Sheep (and meat goat) producers can evaluate their feed rations using an Excel spreadsheet developed by Susan Schoenian. Like Langston's online calculator, the spreadsheet calculates energy, protein, calcium, and phosphorus requirements and compares them to what your ration is providing.

You will balance better rations, if you how much your animals weigh, and you have your hay tested to determine its nutritive content. Forages are the most variable aspect of a small ruminant feeding program. At the same time, they should provide the majority of nutrients required by sheep and goats.

Producer version of nutrient calculator
Sheep and Meat Goat Ration Evaluator