Why Calculation Details matter
RanchAssist is designed so users can audit the assumptions behind a planning result. Before using the output for purchasing, scheduling, budgeting, or field decisions, review the source inputs and any user-editable assumptions.
Core calculation relationships
- Daily dry-matter demand uses each group’s head count, live weight, and intake percentage.
- Dry-matter demand is converted to as-fed hay using the entered hay dry-matter percentage.
- Storage and feeding/refusal losses increase the amount that must be available.
- Whole-bale purchase quantity rounds upward based on bale weight.
- Inventory shortage/surplus compares required bales with bales on hand.
Results to review together
- Daily herd dry-matter demand
- As-fed hay requirement
- Loss-adjusted pounds/tons
- Whole bales required
- Bales per day/week/month
- Reserve bales
- Total cost and cost/head/day
- Inventory shortage/surplus
- Estimated depletion date
How to sanity-check the result
Change one important assumption at a time and confirm the result moves in the direction you expect. If a small change creates a very large result change, check units, percentages, duplicated rows/features, and any hidden Advanced settings.
Rounding and purchase quantities
Where the tool converts a calculated need into purchasable whole units—such as bales, rolls, packages, loads, or other discrete quantities—the purchase quantity may round upward even when the mathematical requirement is fractional. Review Calculation Details for the current tool behavior.
Planning limitation
Hay quality, actual intake, weather, storage, feeding losses, animal condition, and ration design can differ from planning assumptions. Use appropriate nutrition guidance for real feeding decisions.
