Animal reports are provided to help review information describing the farm system, diagnose problems reported by error messages, and provide insight into how the OverseerFM model works.
Animal reports show how OverseerFM interprets information entered into the model. The Block Pasture & Diet (ME source) report supplies information describing the amount of feed obtained from particular sources and fed out in particular places on-farm. Use this report to assess any discrepancies in expected outcomes. This can be used to pinpoint those feeding events requiring adjustment that have been highlighted in the error messages.
Your knowledge of the farm system is required to make judgements as to what corrections can be made to the description of farm conditions and operation. The approach will differ depending whether supplements or crops fed to the enterprise are changed. It may be possible using the Monthly Requirements and Intake reports-ME Requirements and the Block Pasture & Diet (ME source) report to anticipate future errors when navigating towards a final solution.
EXAMPLE 1
This example is of an error message when too much feed is allocated from crops and feed supplied to a structure where the animals are. This error message specifies the timing and provides the steps that could be undertaken to resolve the error. This error message specifies the enterprise, the month it occurs, the degree of excess and the predominant source.
Error example 1: Excess feed error specifying enterprise, month it occurs the degree of excess and the predominant source while animals are on crops and structures.
Look at the Monthly Requirements and Intake reports-ME Requirements for the enterprise the error message is referring to, compare the monthly requirement to Block Pasture & Diet (ME Source) - MJ ME/Month. Supplements allocated to structures are displayed under Farm Supplements in the Block Pasture & Diet (ME Source) report.
If the monthly requirements are different between to the two reports, error messages will continue to appear as each month is rectified. The Total row in the Block Pasture & Diet (ME Source) - Diet report is a useful indicator. Values greater than 120% or less than 80% for any month or any enterprise indicate that feed supplied does not adequately match estimated animal requirements. Check stock numbers and weights are correct as this has an effect on ME requirements.
EXAMPLE 2
This example occurs when too much crop is fed to an enterprise. This error message specifies the enterprise, the degree of excess and the predominant source.
Error example 2: Excess feed error specifying enterprise and the predominant source.
Look at the Monthly Requirements and Intake reports-ME Requirements for the enterprise the error message is referring to, compare the monthly requirement to Block Pasture & Diet (ME Source) - MJ ME/Month for crops. If the monthly requirements are different, error messages will continue to appear as each month is rectified. Check what months the enterprise is allocated to crops, also check stock numbers and weights are correct as this has an effect on ME requirements.
EXAMPLE 3
This feed error is reported when an enterprise has access to insufficient supplements and crops to meet their requirements without access to permanent grazed pasture. Month only is specified when supplements and crops supplied do not meet the requirements of the enterprise.
Error example 3: No enough feed for an enterprise as they don't have access to permanent pasture.
Check Monthly Requirements and Intake reports-ME Requirements for the enterprise the error message is referring to, compare the monthly requirement to Block Pasture & Diet (ME Source) - MJ ME/Month. Where required, allocate enterprise to pasture through animal distribution in the Animals input tab.
EXAMPLE 4
This example is of an error message when too much supplementary feed to fed to an enterprise on blocks or structures. This error message specifies the timing and provides the steps that could be undertaken to resolve the error. This error message specifies the enterprise, the month it occurs, the degree of excess and the predominant source.
Error example 4: Excess supplementary feed error for enterprise on blocks or structures
Check the amount of supplement that has been entered in the Supplements input tab. When allocating to blocks or animal enterprise ensure the box below is left unchecked.
Also check the time the enterprise are allocated to structures in the Structures/Effluent input tab.
EXAMPLE 5
This example occurs when insufficient feed is allocated to an enterprise while on a structure. This error message specifies the enterprise, the structure and the insufficient amount. As the error message is relating to a structure, it can only be rectified by diverting supplements to the named structure.
Error example 5: Insufficient feed allocated to enterprise while on a structure.
Allocate feed to the structure from the Supplements input tab by selecting +Structures when distributing the supplement.