E/LMS 7004: Pearson Square

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Farmers are advised to make use of an experienced nutritionist to formulate rations for their own mixing programmes. Should a farmer want to mix two or even three ingredients, making use of the Pearson square method or by iteration, a reasonably effective ration can be formulated? Usually, standard tables reflecting the composition of the different ingredients are used, although the chemical analysis of the same type of feed can differ significantly from batch to batch.

The Pearson Square is a calculating device for determining the ratio between two different feeds in order to reach a specific target protein level in your final mix.

Step 1: Draw a square.
Step 2: Choose a target protein percentage and place the percentage in the centre of the square.
Step 3: Choose Grain 1 and write its protein percentage in the upper left corner.
Step 4: Choose Grain 2 and write its protein in the lower-left corner.
Step 5: Choose the values from the upper left corner and the centre of the square and subtract them from each other. Then do the same with the values from the lower-left corner and the centre of the square.
Step 6: Determine the total parts. 26 units wheat + 2 units soybean = 28 mixed feed units