Dr Ioannis Mavromichalis
As a field nutritionist working for a major feed company, and now as an
independent consulting nutritionist, I have found that certain tools make life
not only much easier, but they also create a more profsssional environment and a
serious context for discussion.
As a field nutritionist working for a major feed company, and now as an
independent consulting nutritionist, I have found that certain tools make life
not only much easier, but they also create a more professional environment and a
serious context for discussion.
Such a tool is the new modeling software
from INRA, called InraPorc. As a disclaimer, I must emphasise that apart from
being a satisfied user of this software, since its release, I have no other
connection with it or the insttiution behind it.
Unlike other modeling
software packages, InraPorc is quite inexpensive! And, it is also very
user-friendly, well, that is apart from a very unique interface page, which is
better left to be completed by your nutritionist. To their defense, the creators
of InraPorc have clearly stated this is a product designed to be used by
nutritionists!
Assessment
Another unique feature of this
software is that is uses actual farm data regarding animal performance and
real-time food formulations. Instead of predicting nutrient specifications under
ideal conditions for the expression of maximal genetic potential, InraPorc
provides a thorough assessment of current nutritional levels in a graphic and
very educative system. True to the original intentions, the makers of InraPorc
leave the interpretation of the analysis to the qualified nutritionist,
something with which I fully agree.
InraPorc also enables the
investigation of what-if scenarios, as for example between two different genetic
sources, or in the case of increasing market weight, or when comparing different
number of phases, etc. All in all it is a very flexible tool and its
presentation is equally captivating. I still have not found a single producter
to whom I have presented the opportunity and he was not enthusiastic about the
possibilities offered. And, based on my experience with this modeling tool, its
predictions are very accurate under most practical conditions.
Public
institution
All these might sound a bit like an advertisement, but in
truth, this is a a tool produced by a public institution and its price makes it
really available to everyone. In my opinion, it deserves a much wider acceptance
from producers and their advisors.
In should note that InraPorc does not
provide a module for least-cost formulation of feeds, something I believe should
be added later on by the programmers. Likewise, it does not provide a robust
economic model, something equally important for field
conditions.
Adage
Again, before closing, this is not something
anyone can handle easily. The old adage for computers still applies here:
'garbage in, garbage out'. But if your nutritionist has not heard of InraPorc,
you better tell him!
I will provide a working example oin my next blog.
For now, more info can be obtained at the official website.
To comment, login here
Or register to be able to comment.