How do I create a feed plan when using a Farm Management Program?

Create feed plans in a Farm Management Program

Before creating the feed plans

1. Make sure all necessary requirements are met:

• The cow feed station is mounted
• The VPU is installed and configured
• The readers are installed and configured
• One of the following Behavior Components is in your license:
  • Feed station without backgate
  • Feed station with backgate
  • In parlour feeding herringbone
• The Behavior Component 'Cow feeder' is installed and configured
• The Behavior Component 'Parlour feeding' is installed and configured when feeding in the milk parlor is also necessary.

2. Make sure all cows are in Nedap Velos, and coupled to a Tag.

Create the feed plans

1. Set the feed types. Make sure the number of feed types in Nedap Velos is equal to the number of feed types in your Farm Management Program. 1 feed type is already set up in Nedap Velos. You can read in this article how to add feed types. 
2. Set the silos. Make sure the number of silos in Nedap Velos is equal to the number of silos in your Farm Management Program. 1 silo is already set up in Nedap Velos. You can read in this article how to add silos.
3. Set the feed plans. At least 1 feed plan must be set up in Nedap Velos. Use the default feed plan in Nedap Velos to do this. The only necessary data to setup are:
   a. The spreading of the feed distribution, see Define the spreading.
   b. The limits of the feed distribution, see Define the limits. Always define them manually in Nedap
   Velos, even when they are already set in your Farm Management Program.

If desired, more feed plans can be added manually, this can be necessary when for example:

• You feed based on the age of the cows.
• You feed based on the health of the cows.
• The feed speed for the feed types are different.
• The limits for the feed types are different.

When you make changes in the feed plans in your Farm Management Program, do not forget to change the same settings in Nedap Velos. Changes take effect after the next feed start.

Add a new feed plan

1. Go to Settings > Feeding > Feed plans.
2. Select Add feed plan.
3. Fill in a unique number and the name of the feed plan, for example "Calves up to 1 year".
4. Click Add.

   
   

   Complete the feed plan as described in Create feed plans in Nedap Velos.

After creating the feed plans

After the feed plan is set up, follow the next steps:

1. Run the Farm Management Program.
2. Set the feed start.
3. Activate feed balance attentions.
4. If applicable, activate feeding the milk parlor, see How do I activate feeding in the milk parlor?

Adding feed types and silos

Add feed types

In the default feed plan 1 feed type is already available. When you use more feed types, add them in Nedap Velos:

1. Go to Settings > Feeding > Feed types.
2. Click Add feed type.
3. Fill in the following data:
       Number: Number of the feed type.
       Name: Name of the feed type.
       Color: Color used to represent the feed type in the graphical display of the feed curves.
4. Click Ok.

Make sure the number of feed types in Nedap Velos is equal to the number of feed types in your Farm Management Program.

Add silos

Default 1 silo is already available. When you use more silos, add them in Nedap Velos:

1. Go to Settings > Feeding > Silos.
2. Click Add silo.
3. Fill in the following data:
       Number: Number of the feed type.
       Name: Name of the feed type.
       Feed type: Select the feed type of the silo.
4. Click Submit.

If desired, the silo stock can be controlled:

1. In the column Stock, click on 0 kg.
2. Fill in the stock:
       Attention stock - An attention appears when a specified amount of the stock has been achieved. Fill in this amount (kg) in the field Attention stock.
       Stock - Velos automatically calculates the total stock. This amount can always be changed manually. In that case, fill in the amount of the total stock (kg) in this field.
       New delivery - After a new delivery, fill in the total amount (kg) of the delivery in this field. Velos automatically calculates the total stock.
3. Click OK.