Feed Efficiency Trial Guidelines

Technical Services - Technical Guide

This document sets out the parameters, requirements, and step-by-step procedures for running feed efficiency trials on your Vytelle SENSE™ system.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Trial Types and Result Categories 2

1.2 Trial Types 2

1.3 Trial Result Categories 2

2. Procedures for Running a Feed Efficiency Trial 3

2.1 Choose your Trial Warmup, Trial Start and Trial End Dates 3

2.2 Complete Pre-Trial Checklist and Calibration 3

2.3 Define Pen Groups and Trial Groups 4

2.4 Ensure Animals on Trial Have Appropriate Tags 5

2.5 Begin Warmup Period 5

2.6 Begin Trial and Collect On-Test Weights 6

2.7 Run Your Trial 7

2.8 Trial End and Off-Test Weights 8

3. Data Submission and Reporting 10

3.1 End of Trial Feed Efficiency Report Requirements: 10

3.2 End of Trial EPD Report Requirements: 10

3.3 Result Category Requirements and Parameters 11

4. Appendices 12

4.1 Appendix A – Trial Checklists 12

 

 

 

 

TRIAL TYPES AND RESULT CATEGORIES

1.2 TRIAL TYPES

There are four main types of commercial feed-efficiency trials run on Vytelle equipment:

Trial Type

Explanation

Feed Intake
Only

Collection of
feed intake data only.

Feed
Efficiency with Chute Weights

Collection of feed intake and body weight
gain data over the same period, with gain data taken from chute weights.

Feed
Efficiency with In-Pen Weighing (IPW) Weights

Collection of
feed intake and body weight gain data over the same period, with gain data taken
from IPW weights.

Research

Special trials typically the research
facility sets own protocols and runs own data.

1.3 TRIAL RESULT CATEGORIES

Following completion of a trial, there are three categories of trial results:

Result Category       

Explanation

Vytelle Verified        

 

Trial has met all Vytelle parameters and requirements. Vytelle is confident the data is scientifically sound and therefore provides a verification stamp on the trial reports.

Unverified

Trial has not met all Vytelle parameters and requirements in some way. Vytelle believes the data is likely sound but is unwilling to provide a verification stamp. Trial reports are marked as Unverified.

Void

Trial has not met all Vytelle parameters and requirements to such an extent that Vytelle believes the data to be scientifically unsound.  Vytelle will not provide trial reports for these trials.

Client will still have access to extracting Daily Feed Intake Data via the Vytelle DAQ software.

 

PROCEDURES FOR RUNNING A FEED EFFICIENCY TRIAL

2.1 CHOOSE YOUR TRIAL WARMUP, TRIAL START AND TRIAL END DATES

Warmup Period: minimum 10-14-day warmup period for all Trial Types, there is no maximum warmup period length. It is the client’s responsibility to monitor animals during the warmup period.

Minimum Trial Length: Minimum trial lengths differ depending on the Trial Type. The appropriate trial length should be chosen for your required Trial Type.  

Trial Type

Minimum Trial
Length

Feed Intake
Only

Minimum 35 days

Feed
Efficiency with Chute Weights

Minimum 70 days

Feed
Efficiency with IPW Weights

Minimum 49 days

Remember: For all Trial Types a minimum of 35 days of valid feed intake data is required and there must be at least one valid intake day in the first five and the last five days of the trial.

For research trials that have less than 35 valid intake days, researchers can extract data using the data extraction tool, trials with less than 35 valid intake days do not meet the requirement to accurately measure average DMI.

The only source of feed must be the Vytelle SENSE troughs account for all feed intake.  In addition, bedding – if required for the animals – should not be a substance that the animals will consume (e.g. straw).

 

2.2 COMPLETE PRE-TRIAL CHECKLIST AND CALIBRATION

Before a new trial is started, the pre-trial checklist must be completed to notify Vytelle of the new trial. Technical Support Representatives do not monitor systems that have not completed a pre-trial checklist. 

It is important to complete a pre-trial checklist for Feed Intake and a pre-trial checklist for In-Pen Weighing if both systems are being used. The pre-trial checklist and IPW pre-trial checklist can be found on the DAQ software. The pre-trial checklist will walk you through the necessary hardware checks, it is also used for the system calibration. It is important these steps are completed either just prior to the warmup period or at the start of the warmup period to ensure your system is operating correctly, allowing Vytelle to appropriately verify your data. 

Pre-trial Checklist(s)

1. Enter the trial warmup date, trial start date and estimated trial finish date

2. Choose the appropriate pre-trial checklist for your trial type:

Trial Type

Trial
Checklist

Feed Intake
Only

Normal

Feed
Efficiency with Chute Weights

Normal

Feed
Efficiency with IPW Weights

Normal + IPW

3. Physically examine the system and complete the procedures laid out on the pre-trial checklist

4. When using a IPW system, fill out the IPW pre-trial checklist in the same manner as the pre-trial checklist and select the IPW trial type. Ensure that the dates for the IPW checklist are the same, and for the same pens, as the feed intake pre-trial checklist.

Refer to the User Introduction Training document for further details and calibration instructions.

2.3 DEFINE PEN GROUPS AND TRIAL GROUPS

To accurately evaluate performance, animals on trial must be arranged into proper Pen Groups and Trial Groups. Pen Group and Trial Group guidelines have been set to minimize issues related to feeding dominance and to isolate differences in performance and efficiency from other potentially confounding effects, while also remaining commercially viable. 

Pen Groups: the animals that will share the same pen for the duration of the trial. To avoid issues with feeding dominance, animals within a Pen Group should always be of the same sex and similar size, with a weight difference of no more than 450 lb. (205 kg) at the start of the trial.

Trial Groups: the animals that will be compared against one another in the trial analysis. Trial Groups can consist of animals from different pens, and pens can have more than one Trial Group within them.

Trial Group Requirements:

1. Age: 8-18 months of age, with maximum age range of 90 days.

2. Sex: same sex.

3. Size: maximum weight range of 450 lb. (205 kg) at the start of trial.

4. Group Size: for RFI trials, a minimum four valid animals are required at end of the trial.

5. Origin: similar origin. 

a. As much as possible, cattle with the same origin will be maintained in the same Trial Group for analysis. If cattle do not meet the trial group requirements (i.e. age, sex, size) they may be omitted from the analysis or included with animals of another origin.

Animals that do not meet the Trial Group requirements may be omitted from the trial results. If Pen Group and/or Trial Group requirements are not met, trial results may be categorized as Unverified or Void.

2.4 ENSURE ANIMALS ON TRIAL HAVE APPROPRIATE TAGS

All animals on trial should be tagged with a new single use HDX  RFID  ICAR compliant tag in accordance with the User Introduction Training manual and Vytelle Tagging Guidelines. Tags are never to be reused. 

2.5 BEGIN WARMUP PERIOD

Start the warmup period by introducing the animals to the pen that they will be in during the trial; at this point they should be organized into the Pen Groups that they will be tested in. The warmup period is designed to acclimatize animals to the system and to ensure that all hardware is working properly. Animals must be tagged with half-duplex RFID tags during this period. Refer to the checklist in Appendix A to determine whether you are ready to begin your trial.

Warmup Period Tasks: 

1. Check Action Items and Trial Notes daily for troubleshooting items and procedures.

2. Check Reduced Intakes program and View Animal Weights program daily to ensure that animals are accessing the system and that they have regular feed intakes and weights.

a. If not utilizing IPW, check Daily Intakes program for a total count of animals. 

3. Maintain a consistent feeding pattern.

a. Ensure animals have ad libitum access to feed.

b. Be cautious of overfeeding as it can cover the antenna in the bunk and interfere with tag reads. Refer to the How to Feed a Vytelle Bunk section in the User Introduction Training manual for more details.

c. Do not pile feed up on the animal side of the bunk as it can interfere with tag reads.

d. Promptly replace lost EID tags and notify your technical services representative when the tag has been replaced.

All warmup period tasks should be completed in accordance with the User Introduction Training manual. Warmup periods that do not meet the requirements outlined in the manual may be subject to extension, which has the potential to push back trial start and trial end dates. It is the client’s responsibility to monitor all animals during the warmup period.

2.6 BEGIN TRIAL AND COLLECT ON-TEST WEIGHTS

The trial will automatically begin on the trial start date selected in the pre-trial checklist and listed in your trial info as long as the warm-up period was successful. Requirements for collection of on-test weights differs depending on the type of trial being run.

 

Collecting On-Test Weights

Trial Type

Weight
collection

Feed Intake
Only

No weight
collection is required.

Feed
Efficiency with Chute Weights

Collect chute weights on the 1st and 2nd
days of the trial. Chute weights can also be collected on 14-day intervals
throughout the trial, your technical services representative must be notified
of this before the start of the trial.

Feed
Efficiency with IPW Weights

Collect a
minimum of 1 chute weight during the trial period, additional chute weights
improve IPW conversion factor accuracy

Monitor the beginning of your trial closely, you must have at least 1 day of valid feed intake data in the first 5 days of the trial.

2.7 RUN YOUR TRIAL

Run a sound and valid feed efficiency trial by following the trial tasks listed below, most of the tasks have been carried over from the warmup period. Refer to the User Introduction Training manual for further details.

Trial Period Tasks:

1. Check Action Items program and Trial Notes program daily for troubleshooting items and procedures.

2. Check Reduced Intakes program and View Animal Weights program daily to ensure that animals are accessing the system and that they have regular feed intakes and weights.

a. If not utilizing IPW, check Daily Intakes program for a total count of animals.

3. Maintain a consistent feeding pattern.

a. Ensure animals have ad libitum access to feed.

b. Be cautious of overfeeding as it can cover the antenna in the bunk and interfere with tag reads. Refer to the How to Feed a Vytelle Bunk section in the User Introduction Training manual for more details.

c. Do not pile feed up on the animal side of the bunk as it can interfere with tag reads.

4. Promptly replace lost EID tags and notify your technical services representative when the tag has been replaced.

5. Determine your ration’s dry matter content by doing a nutrient analysis.

a. Collecting several feed samples throughout the trial will provide a more accurate representation of the ration’s dry matter content.

b. If you change rations throughout the trial be sure to keep clear records of when the rations were changed and collect samples of each ration as each of their dry matter contents are required.

6. Collect chute weights:

Trial Type

Weight
collection

Feed Intake
Only

No weight
collection is required.

Feed
Efficiency with Chute Weights

Collect an optional chute weight during
mid-trial. Mid-trial chute weights improve average daily gain calculations
and can reduce the chance of animals with variations in consecutive day chute
weights being omitted. Chute weights can also be collected on 14-day
intervals throughout the trial, your technical services representative must
be notified of this before the start of the trial.

Feed
Efficiency with IPW Weights

Collect minimum
1 chute weight during the trial period, additional chute weights improve IPW
conversion factor accuracy.

When approaching the end of your trial period, monitor the number of days of valid feed intake data. You must have at least 1 day of valid feed intake data in the last 5 days of the trial period.

2.8 TRIAL END AND OFF-TEST WEIGHTS

The trial will automatically finish on the trial end date selected and listed in your trial info. Before completing the trial period, ensure that your trial has the necessary number of chute weights and valid days of feed intake data. Refer to the Valid Trial Criteria table below to ensure that you have met the requirements for your trial type, refer to the checklist in Appendix A to determine whether all trial requirements have been met.

Collect Off-Test Weights

Trial Type

Weight
collection

Feed Intake
Only

No weight
collection is required.

Feed
Efficiency with Chute Weights

Collect chute weights on the last and 2nd
last days of the trial. Chute weights can also be collected on 14-day
intervals throughout the trial, your technical services representative must
be notified of this before the start of the trial.

Feed
Efficiency with IPW Weights

Collect minimum
1 chute weight during the trial period, additional chute weights improve IPW
conversion factor accuracy.

Valid Trial Criteria:

Trial Type

Weight collection

Feed Intake Only

ü  Minimum 35 days in length

ü  Minimum 35 days of valid feed intake

Feed Efficiency with Chute Weights

ü  Minimum 70 days in length

ü  Minimum 35 days of valid feed intake

ü  Minimum 1 day of valid feed intake data in the first 5 days of trial

ü  Minimum 1 day of valid feed intake data in the last 5 days of trial

Feed Efficiency with IPW Weights

ü  Minimum 49 days in length

ü  Minimum 35 days of valid feed intake

ü  Minimum 1 day of valid feed intake data in the first 5 days of trial

ü  Minimum 1 day of valid feed intake data in the last 5 days of trial

Notify your technical services representative if you wish to extend your trial period prior to the original trial end date.

 

DATA SUBMISSION AND REPORTING

All necessary data must be submitted to Vytelle before end of trial feed efficiency metrics and/or EPDs  can be calculated. Data requirements are listed below.

3.1 END OF TRIAL FEED EFFICIENCY REPORT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Date of Birth

2. Breed

3. Sex

4. Origin

5. Ration Dry Matter Percentage

6. Chute Weights Collected During Trial Period

7. Trial Group Specifications

3.2 END OF TRIAL EPD REPORT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Date of Birth

2. Breed

3. Sex

4. Origin

5. Ration Dry Matter Percentage

6. Chute Weights Collected During Trial Period

7. Minimum 3-Generation Pedigrees for each animal including the breed associations for which they are registered 

8. Trial Group Specifications

Note that EPD Reports will only be provided for Vytelle Verified trials. Data templates will be provided by Vytelle to assist with data submission.

 

3.3 RESULT CATEGORY REQUIREMENTS AND PARAMETERS

Failure to provide required data or follow required processes will lead to trials becoming void.

Data provided to Vytelle:

Verified

Non-Verified

Processes Followed:

Verified

Non-Verified

Ration Dry Matter Content

Required

Required

Appropriate Chute Weights Taken

Required

Required

Sex

Required

Required

Correct Trial Length

Required

Required

Breed

Required

Optional

Correct Number Valid Days

Required

Required

Origin

Required

Optional

Appropriate Warmup Length

Required

Required

Date of Birth

Required

Optional

Minimum 1/5 Valid Days in First and Last 5 Days of Trial

Required

Required

 

APPENDICES

Consider This Checklist Before Starting Your Feed Efficiency Trial

  • Do the trial start and end dates I selected meet minimum trial length requirements?
  • Have I planned sufficient time for a proper warmup?
  • Have I filled out a pre-trial checklist for Feed Intake and For IPW (if using IPW)?
  • Are the animals tagged with HDX tags before entering the Vytelle trial pen?
  • How many chute weights will I be taking and when will I take them?
  • When will I do a feed analysis to determine the ration’s dry matter content?
  • Will I be feeding multiple rations throughout the trial and how will I track ration changes?
  • Am I prepared to keep up with daily trial notes and troubleshooting procedures?
  • How many times per day will I need to feed the animals?

 

Consider This Checklist Before Finishing Your Feed Efficiency Trial

  • Does my trial have 35 days of valid feed intake?
  • Does my trial have at least 1 valid day of feed intake within the first 5 days?
  • Does my trial have at least 1 valid day of feed intake within the last 5 days?
  • If I am running a chute weight trial, have I collected at least 4 chute weights?
  • If I am running a IPW trial, have I collected at least 1 chute weight?
  • If I am running a chute weight trial, was my trial at least 70 days long?
  • If I am running a IPW trial, was my trial at least 49 days long?
  • Have I submitted the necessary data to Vytelle?
  • Has the dry matter content of the ration(s) fed during the trial been evaluated?

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you have any further questions please contact Vytelle SENSE Technical Support at [email protected] or by calling toll-free from US & Canada: 1-866-689-3477 ext. 1 The team is available Monday to Friday 7:00am to 5:00pm MST (excluding Canadian Statutory Holidays). After hours, please leave a detailed voicemail, email, or trial note and a TSR will respond the next business days.

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