ASPP300 Forage Planning Software

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ASPP-300 Forage Planning Software

• J. A. Jennings and M. S. Gadberry
• University of Arkansas

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How does the program work? Minimum requirements
for the Arkansas SPP-300 program are Windows
3.1/95 with a 486-66 MHz CPU. It was developed
with Visual Baler software so it is a
self-running program. To load the program,
select the CD drive icon from the My computer
group. Double-click the ASSP300CD folder.
Double-click the Setup.exe icon. Follow the
instructions. Click Ok when it asks for Disk 2.
When the program has loaded double-click the
ASSP300 icon to start. Arkansas SPP-300
calculates forage production and animal
requirements for 100 day periods during spring,
summer, fall, and 65 days during winter. Seasonal
dry matter yield is calculated for each forage
and for the farm. Daily dry matter intake of the
cattle herd is calculated based on class of
animal, stage of production, and average daily
gain. Seasonal forage requirement is based on
grazing system efficiency. Data are entered for
each pasture based on forage type and estimated
annual yield. The program calculates dry matter
production in spring, summer, fall, and winter
for each pasture based on estimated percentage
seasonal production of each forage or forage
mixture. Data are entered for cattle based on
spring or fall calving season, level of milk
production, stocker calf grazing season, and
average daily gain expected. Gains are based on
NRC values for intake. Quality of the forage is
assumed adequate for the expected gain. A basic
level of knowledge of forage quality and animal
nutrition is necessary to determine realistic
cattle gains.
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Example Scenario The following scenario is
depicted in this presentation. Screens for data
entry, data summary, and results are shown. A
beef producer has 100 acres of available pasture.
His forage program includes 25 acres of
orchardgrass / clover mix 25 acres of fescue that
is stockpiled in the fall for winter use 25 acres
of bermudagrass 25 acres of bermudagrass / fescue
mix. He has 40 spring-calving cows with an
average weight of 1100 lbs. each. Milk production
is average.Two bulls of 1800 lbs. each are in the
herd. Continuous grazing management is currently
used. Hay feeding begins in early November most
years and continues until early April. His
question is what changes are needed to reduce
the length of the hay feeding period?.
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Start by entering data for each pasture and for
each livestock herd.
The program can be navigated by windows or by
tabs.
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Forage type or mixture can be selected from a
list found in the drop boxes shown. Scrolling
down the list shows the available forages. Enter
acreage and estimated annual yield for each
forage.
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Enter data for spring calving cows, bulls, and
replacement animals. Fall calving herds can be
entered on a separate screen for that herd.
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Data entered can be viewed and updated if
necessary. Summaries of pasture production are
shown as well as daily forage requirements for
the herd.
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Enter data for stocker calves under the option
that fits the grazing period.
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Seasonal tonnage is shown for each pasture as
well as total yield for the farm.
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Forage inventories show the percentage
distribution of seasonal yield for each pasture.
Forage input data in blue can be changed on this
screen.
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Daily forage intake requirements are shown for
each production class along with the total herd
daily requirement.
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Summaries of the livestock herd can be viewed and
updated here. Data in blue can be changed on this
screen. Forage dry matter intake levels as a of
body weight are shown. Defaults for intake can be
changed in another section of the program.
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Percentage utilization for each grazing system
can be changed to match local conditions
Results show total seasonal forage production and
seasonal herd requirement based on grazing system
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Results show how well forage production matches
livestock requirements.
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Default values for livestock and forage can be
updated to match local conditions.
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The answer to our producers question may be to
use a rotational grazing system since forage is
adequate through the fall season. The winter
period is set at 65 days from late December
until March 1. Other options can be explored to
match specific farm conditions.
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Default forage requirements are shown as percent
of body weight and are based on NRC values.
Values in blue can be changed.
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Forage yield distribution can be changed to match
local conditions. Values are included for 33
forages and forage mixtures. Spaces are available
to add 15 other forages where blank is listed
under each section.