UC Davis is collaborating with Vietnamese institutions to develop a breakthrough package of computer programs for formulating and analyzing balanced rations for livestock in Vietnam. This software aims to optimize productivity and increase yields of indigenous cattle that supply most of the country's milk and meat.
The programs include an extensive feed library and allow formulation and evaluation of rations for beef cattle, dairy cattle, and swine. Users can create customized printouts summarizing the rations. The software will integrate locally available feed data and estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions based on cattle production systems. The GHG calculation methodology can be adjusted for different cattle types.
This innovative software package will be available as a mobile application. It will be field tested using local Vietnamese cattle breeds. Accurate knowledge of nutrient requirements is key to increasing livestock productivity. This software aims to bring advanced ration formulation tools to Vietnam, where genetic and nutrition advances have been slow compared to high income countries.
The development of this comprehensive software suite represents a major step forward in supporting sustainable livestock production in Vietnam and other lower-income countries. The programs empower farmers and agriculture professionals to optimize rations using locally available feeds. This technology transfer from UC Davis has great potential to increase yields and incomes.
Collaborating agencies, organizations, or institutions:
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Vietnam)
Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
University of California, Davis (UC Davis)