Feed Ration Record Keeping for Cattle and Sheep
Feed ration record keeping separates the feeding plan from what was delivered. Keep the plan's author and date, ingredient units, group, and head count beside the daily log.
What to record at each load
| Field | What to preserve |
|---|---|
| Date and group | The destination of the feed |
| Head count | Animals present for the feeding period, with changes dated |
| Plan reference | The ration version supplied for that group |
| Ingredient and lot | Feed identity and forage-test reference if available |
| Planned and actual weight | Separate columns with units and as-fed or dry-matter basis |
| Scale reading | Note whether it is cumulative |
| Delivery and remaining feed | What was delivered, refused, wasted, or left over, if measured |
| Operator and notes | Who recorded it and any uncertainty |
Arithmetic for the log
Made-up weighing example: a scale reads 800 kg after the first ingredient and 1,000 kg after the second. The second addition weighs 200 kg.
If 1,000 kg is delivered to 100 animals over two days, the average delivered amount is 1,000 ÷ (100 × 2) = 5 kg per head per day. This illustrates arithmetic, not a ration recommendation or a measurement of intake.
When head count changes, calculate animal-days separately for each interval and add them. Keep as-fed and dry-matter amounts separate unless a documented dry-matter percentage supports the conversion.
A feeding worksheet
Feeding log
| Date | Group | Head count | Days | Plan reference | Ingredient/lot | Planned kg | Actual kg | Delivered kg | Remaining/waste kg | Operator/notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Review differences against the plan
Record a short or excess delivery as it happened. Ask the person responsible for the ration how to respond; this log does not tell you to compensate through tomorrow's feeding. Ration formulation and changes belong with the operation's nutrition adviser.
Ranch.Bot can keep feeding details in generic records you review before saving. It does not balance a ration. Check the Feed Mode status for that separate interface and use the cost worksheet to organize feed costs.