Animal Feed Ration Assessment Checklist

Animal Profile & Goals

1 of 7

Gathering baseline information about the animal(s) and desired outcomes.

Animal Type

Dairy Cattle

Beef Cattle

Poultry (Broilers)

Poultry (Layers)

Swine

Sheep/Goats

Other (Specify)

Number of Animals in the Group

Average Animal Weight (kg/lbs)

Animal Age/Stage (e.g., Calf, Lactating, Grower)

Calf/Foal

Weaner

Grower/Finisher

Lactating/Pregnant

Adult Maintenance

Primary Production Goals (e.g., Milk Yield, Weight Gain, Egg Production)

Desired Weight Gain (kg/week or lbs/week)

Any Specific Health Concerns or Challenges?

Date of Assessment

Feed Ingredient Analysis

2 of 7

Evaluating the nutritional composition of individual feed ingredients.

Feed Ingredient Lab Analysis (e.g., PDF, Excel)

Ingredient Type (e.g., Grains, Forage, Protein Supplement)

Grains (Corn, Wheat, Barley)

Forage (Hay, Pasture, Silage)

Protein Supplement (Soybean Meal, Cottonseed Meal)

Mineral Supplement

Vitamin Supplement

Other

Crude Protein (%)

Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) (%)

Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) (%)

Fat (%)

Calcium (%)

Phosphorus (%)

Moisture Content (as reported on lab analysis)

Ration Formulation & Calculation

3 of 7

Determining the correct proportions of ingredients to meet animal needs.

Animal's Daily Dry Matter Intake (DMI)

Desired Protein Level (%)

Desired Energy Level (Mcal/lb or MJ/kg)

Desired Fiber Level (%)

Growth Stage (e.g., Starter, Grower, Finisher)

Starter

Grower

Finisher

Maintenance

Formulation Equations/Calculations Used (Detail steps)

Constraints (e.g., ingredient availability, cost limits)

Ingredient Availability

Cost Limits

Palatability Concerns

Specific Animal Requirements

Calculated Percentage of Ingredient 1

Calculated Percentage of Ingredient 2

Feed Availability & Cost Assessment

4 of 7

Considering the accessibility and affordability of ingredients.

Current Stock Levels of Primary Feed Ingredient (e.g., Maize, Soybeans)

Estimated Stock Duration (days) based on current consumption rate

Main Feed Suppliers

Supplier A

Supplier B

Supplier C

Other (Specify)

Current Unit Cost of Primary Feed Ingredient (e.g., $/kg)

Estimated Transportation Costs (per unit)

Seasonality Impact (How does availability/cost vary seasonally?)

Increased Cost

Decreased Cost

No Significant Change

Unpredictable

Notes on market trends or anticipated price fluctuations

Feed Palatability & Intake

5 of 7

Assessing how animals accept and consume the feed ration.

Initial Feed Acceptance (First 24 Hours)

Excellent - Eagerly Consumed

Good - Consumed Readily

Fair - Slight Hesitation

Poor - Minimal Consumption

Refusal - Not Consumed

Estimated Daily Feed Intake (kg/head)

Observations Regarding Palatability (e.g., texture, smell)

Presence of Selectivity (Picking/Sorting)

Yes - Minor

Yes - Moderate

Yes - Severe

Describe any observed picky eating behaviors.

Percentage of Feed Refused (if applicable)

Water Intake - Observation

Normal

Increased

Decreased

Any other comments or observations related to feed acceptance?

Animal Performance Monitoring

6 of 7

Tracking and evaluating animal health, growth, and productivity.

Average Daily Weight Gain (kg)

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

Average Daily Feed Intake (kg)

Overall Animal Health (Assessment)

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Observed Behavioral Changes (e.g., activity level, aggression)

Visible Signs of Deficiency/Problem (Select all that apply)

Poor Coat/Feathers

Lameness

Reduced Fertility

Abnormal Growth

Diarrhea

None Observed

Date of Performance Assessment

Environmental Impact & Sustainability

7 of 7

Considering the ecological footprint of the feed ration.

Estimated Carbon Footprint (kg CO2e/kg feed)

Source of Feed Ingredients (e.g., locally sourced, imported, certified sustainable)

Locally Sourced

Imported

Certified Sustainable

Unknown

Which sustainability certifications apply to feed ingredients (select all that apply)

Organic

Rainforest Alliance

Fair Trade

GlobalGAP

None

Describe any measures taken to minimize feed waste and spoilage.

Percentage of feed ingredients derived from recycled or upcycled sources.

Packaging Type (assess environmental impact)

Plastic

Paper/Cardboard

Biodegradable

Reusable