The incidence of this message is more prevalent when animals are exclusively housed (dairy goats) or fed primarily crops and/or supplements, such as dairy cows wintered in the South Island.
There are five likely reasons why this message occurs:
- estimation of animal metabolic energy (ME) requirements by the model. If these are underestimated, then the error is more likely to occur.
- estimation of crop yields or supplement amounts by the user. If these are over-estimated, then the message is more likely to occur.
- utilisation rate of the crop or supplements. There are model defaults, and the user has a limited ability to vary these. If this is over-estimated, then the message is more likely to occur.
- differences in the database supplement and crop quality (ME content) and those actually fed out. If the supplement/crop fed out has a lower quality than that in the database, this message is more likely to occur.
- the extent of the ‘buffering capacity’ (i.e., the allowable discrepancy between estimated metabolic energy requirements and estimated total animal pasture/supplements/crop inputs) of the model so these systems can be modelled accurately.
If this message occurs look into one of the 5 options above to make changes to the analysis. If the message persists, please contact the Helpdesk.