By Joanna Munholland, Communications Consultant
Looking for a ration-balancing software that allows producers to formulate their own feed rations by combining various mixtures of feed and by-products at different price points?
That helps reduce feed costs while allowing producers to meet production targets?
And, allows producers to consider different variables such as body weight, average daily gain, body condition score, wind and temperature, providing incredibly specific information for each user?
What you’re looking for is CowBytes. First developed in 1991 by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) with collaboration from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Manitoba Agriculture, along with Agriculture Canada and the University of Saskatchewan, the first version was released to the public in 1991, and until 2020 was sold by AAF.
When AAF discontinued the distribution of CowBytes in 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture saw an opportunity to continue to offer this important tool for producers in the province and a means for ministry staff to serve their client base.
When CowBytes was discontinued, the ministry recorded a list of producers expressing interest in purchasing the software and a search began to find a third party willing to take over distribution and updates. The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) was a natural fit to be the new home for CowBytes. The BCRC represents the interests of beef producers across Canada and, as a non-profit, ensures CowBytes remains reasonably priced. The BCRC is a reliable source of information for producers and already has many useful tools available that CowBytes complemented, and its continued availability to livestock producers resulted in a Ministry of Agriculture commitment to provide technical support for users and expertise for future upgrades.
CowBytes was re-released in August 2023. Since then, approximately 500 copies have been sold with nearly 35 per cent of these sales to producers within Saskatchewan, showing a larger need for and interest in this software.
Jenifer Heyden, a livestock and feed extension specialist with the ministry said, “While there are free versions or more expensive versions of ration-balancing software, CowBytes hits the sweet spot of being priced competitively and easily customizable.”
CowBytes has long been considered a user friendly and well supported tool with numerous demonstration videos available to help users navigate the software.
While it’s a wonderful resource for producers, it also complements the 17 free tools and calculators available for producers at www.beefresearch.ca.
Tracy Herbert, Extension and Communications Director with the BCRC, highlighted four options that have been popular among producers:
- Impact of Body Condition on Cow Productivity and Profitability: “This tool demonstrates how various body condition scores can impact pregnancy rate, per cent showing estrus 30 days post-calving and calf weaning weight. This tool also calculates the value of calf crops for cows maintained at each body condition score.”
- Carrying Capacity Calculator: “The Carrying Capacity Calculator allows producers to determine the carrying capacity of pastures based on two methods: 1) estimates based on provincial guides and 2) field-based sampling.”
- Replacement Heifer Calculator: “This decision-making tool was developed to help a beef cattle producer estimate the total costs of developing a replacement heifer from weaning, through breeding to pregnancy-checking.”
- Economics of Water Systems Calculator: “This calculator allows producers to: compare the costs and benefits of installing three different watering systems on a cow-calf operation; compare the costs and benefits of installing five different watering systems to use with yearling grassers; and, determine how long it will take to pay off any of the above water systems on an individual operation.”
These and the many other tools are paid for through the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off, a portion of the mandatory levy for each cow sold invested into research, market development and promotion. Herbert encourages producers to visit the BCRC website and take advantage of these and other resources.
While CowBytes is useful for producers, it also is part of the larger success story around beef cattle production and sustainability. It’s “software that helps reduce producers’ costs and improve profitability, enabling the sector to thrive,” explained Herbert. “It helps producers avoid over- or under-feeding to optimize efficiencies while producing more high-quality beef, therefore reducing the environmental footprint.”
According to the Second National Beef Sustainability Assessment and Strategy report, between 2014 and 2021, there was a 15 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to produce 1 kg of beef (boneless and consumed), mostly due to improved efficiencies in cattle growth. Tools like CowBytes are helping producers feed our growing population while also protecting the environment.
CowBytes is a wonderful example of industry, non-profits and the Ministry of Agriculture listening to producers and coming together to serve their clients. If you’re interested in purchasing it, the most recent version can be ordered from www.cowbytes.ca. Once ordered, a USB drive will be sent through regular mail. Proceeds from each purchase will go towards future upgrades.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the BCRC at cowbytes@beefresearch.ca, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 or your Ministry of Agriculture regional livestock and feed extension specialist.