A feed plan determines how animals receive concentrate feed over a 24-hour period.
Feed plans control:
- The total daily feed amount
- How the feed is distributed during the day
- Limits per feeding moment
- Adjustments based on age, lactation, or milk yield
Each group of animals is assigned to a feed plan.
How Feeding Works
When an animal enters the feeding station:
- The tag is recognized.
Velos identifies the assigned feed plan and feed curve.
The system calculates:
Feed is released according to the configured spreading and limits.
Feeding Principle
Feed curves calculate the daily feed amount based on specific start dates.
It is essential that the required start dates are entered in the animal’s calendar. If a start date is missing, the animal will be fed according to day 0 of the feed curve until the correct date is entered.
Required start dates per feed curve
| Feed curve | Required start date | If not entered |
| Birth date | Actual birth date | Animal is fed according to day 0 |
| Lactation | Actual calving date | Animal is fed according to day 0 |
| Fixed amount | Not applicable | Not applicable |
If the required calendar data is not filled in:
The feed amount may stay too low when it should increase
The feed amount may stay too high when it should decrease
Animals may be overfed or underfed
For example:
If no calving date is entered, the feed amount will not increase after calving.
If no dry-off date is entered, the feed amount may not decrease toward 0 kg as expected.
Using a Farm Management Program
If you use a Farm Management Program (FMP), the feed amounts are defined in that system. The FMP is leading for feed amounts.
Using Only Velos
If you do not use a Farm Management Program, all feed plans and feed amounts must be configured in Velos. Velos calculates and distributes the feed based on the defined feed plan.
