Ridley Block Operations (manufacturers of SWEETLIX Livestock Supplements) has released a FREE app for livestock producers called LICS; Livestock Intake Calculator for Supplements. The LICS app is designed to be a useful calculator with minimal, intuitive inputs that makes self-fed supplement performance easier to monitor and manage.
The FREE LICS app is available on the IOS (IPhone) and Android platforms and can be downloaded at their app stores or by scanning the below QR codes with your smartphone.
Easy to use and flexible
The app has several features but it is primarily designed to be easy to use, flexible and robust enough for those who may want to incorporate more detail when calculating free-choice supplement intake. The LICS app is targeted for beef producers, but because of the flexibility built in, it can easily be used for any species of animal that is consuming a self-fed supplement, such as SWEETLIX.
Because self-fed supplements are available to groups of livestock that can vary in herd size and the number of days the supplement is available, it can be challenging to accurately estimate average consumption per head per day. Thus, it can be unclear what level of supplemental nutrients are actually being provided. The LICS app gathers required information for determining an average intake estimate for the herd.
You will need to know inputs like; the number of animals in the group/pasture, the days that the animals consumed the supplement, and also an estimate of how much supplement was consumed for the given consumption period. An estimated average consumption per head per day for the supplement is then calculated by the LICS app. Depending upon how much supplement is remaining, the app can also project when additional supplement should be provided, so your herd does not run out. If you know the amount that you paid for the supplement on a per ton basis, LICS will also calculate your supplement cost on a per head, per day, basis.
Include calves in supplement intake
One feature that is particularly useful for beef cow-calf producers is an option of including calves in the supplement intake calculation. Where both cows and calves will have access to self-fed supplements, consumption of the supplement by the calves should be considered. The LICS app has the ability to include calves into the intake calculation. The LICS app will only calculate estimated supplement consumption by the calves if they weigh 400 pounds or more. Regardless if you are raising livestock or have companion animals such as horses, the LICS app can help you better manage your nutritional program when offering free-choice supplements in grazing or nonconfined type conditions. The few inputs required will provide an easy way to estimate the actual supplement intake when spread across the herd.