SNV Tropical Feed Library for Rumen8
This webpage gives access to the Tropical Feed Library which can be read and used only with the Rumen8 diet formulation software for dairy cows. This Feed Library was developed by the Kenya Market-led Dairy programme (KMDP) of SNV Kenya / Netherlands Development Organization, to support introduction of Rumen8 as an advisory tool to Kenya and the East African dairy sector. Adaptation of the Rumen8 software to tropical areas and the East African context was financially supported by SNV-KMDP and VICTAM Foundation from the Netherlands. KMDP was funded by the Netherlands Government.
The Australian feed library, which is provided with Rumen8, is not adequate for many countries with a tropical climate. Hence the KMDP project developed the Tropical Feed Library. Some of the feeds in the Tropical Feed Library are unique to Africa and are missing in the Australian library. In addition, higher levels of Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) and lower levels of crude protein are common in many tropical forages. For such diets it is recommended to use NDF intake (tick under DMI estimation method on the Animal tab) to predict the dry matter intake of dairy cattle in the tropics.
Data for the Tropical Feed Library was obtained from about 10 trusted published sources and currently includes about 230 feedstuffs. The library will remain the intellectual property of SNV and will be expanded and updated from time to time so please check this website regularly for updates.
Before downloading the Tropical Feed Library, it is essential to first install the Rumen8 software.
Download the Rumen8 Software
The Rumen8 software including the Tropical Feed Library is provided ‘as-is’, without any express or implied warranty. In no event will the owners of Rumen8 and/or SNV Netherlands Development Organisation be held responsible and/or liable – or will accept liability - for any damages arising from the use of this software and/or the Tropical Feed Library.
Once the installation is complete go to the Rumen8 folder (in your Documents folder) and create a new folder named ‘SNV Tropical Feed Library3.0'. Download the SNV Tropical Feed Library here below and save the file SNVFeedLibrary3.0.db3 in the folder you just created called ‘SNV Tropical Feed Library3.0'. To use the feed library with Rumen8 version 3.7 and lower, it must be renamed from ‘SNVFeedLibrary3.0.db3' to ‘FeedLibrary.db3' in Windows File Explorer. Ignore this step if you are using Rumen8 version 4 or higher.
SNV Tropical Feed Library for Rumen8 can be downloaded here.
The Rumen8 software including the Tropical Feed Library is provided ‘as-is’, without any express or implied warranty. In no event will the owners of Rumen8 and/or SNV Netherlands Development Organisation be held responsible and/or liable – or will accept liability - for any damages arising from the use of this software and/or the Tropical Feed Library.
The Feed Library will be saved automatically in your downloads folder.
To open the Tropical Feed Library, start the Rumen8 program which will open with the default Feed Library (usually the provided Australian Feed Library). Click 'Edit' in the left top corner menu of the Rumen8 window and then click on 'Edit feeds'. The Feed Editor window will open. Click on the right-most tab called ‘Manage libraries and Ingredient visibility’
Instructions for Rumen8 version 3.7 and lower
In the bottom right half of the window click on 'Open' under 'User feed library'. Move into the ‘SNV Tropical Feed Library3.0' folder you created earlier and the downloaded and renamed file 'FeedLibrary.db3' is visible. Click on it and then click on the ‘Open’ button. In the top right section of the Feed Editor window, under ‘Diet ingredients available’ you will see a figure of over 230 feeds from the Tropical Feed Library. The Feed library in use now shows a blue ‘User’ flag as a reminder you are no longer using the supplied default library. Placing the cursor on the blue rectangle shows the path to where the library is stored. Once downloaded, Rumen8 and libraries can be used offline.
Instructions for Rumen8 version 4.0 and above
On the right side of the windows click the 'Import' button in the ‘Library’ column. Note, not the second import button at the bottom of the window under the 'Share' section. Move into the ‘SNV Tropical Feed Library3.0' folder you created earlier and the downloaded file 'SNVFeedLibrary3.0.db3' is visible. Click on it and then click on the ‘Open’ button. You will then be prompted to give the imported library a name so enter 'SNV Tropical Feed Library 3.0' in the entry box and click 'Okay'. Once the library has been imported in the top right section of the Feed Editor window, under 'Diet ingredients available’ you will see a figure of over 230 feeds from the Tropical Feed Library.
Your library can be edited according to your need for more feeds or the quality of feed available on the farm based on your observations or available feed analyses. We recommend you always create a copy of a feed before changing it, so the original feed definition remains. When creating a copy typically a suffix is appended to the original name that says what the feed is being used for. This might be a property name, batch number or just a date for example.
Download the Concise Guide for use of Rumen8 software and SNV Feed Library in the Tropics
Terms and conditions (disclaimer)
The Rumen8 software and the SNV Tropical Feed Library are provided 'as-is', without any express or implied warranty. In no event will the owners of Rumen8 and/or SNV Netherlands Development Organisation be held responsible and/or liable – or will accept liability - for any damages arising from the use of this software and/or the Tropical Feed Library.
While all reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the Rumen8 application and the Tropical Feed Library, use of the information so provided is at the user's own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by Australian, Dutch and international law the developers of Rumen8 and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, disclaim all liability for any losses, costs, damages and the like sustained or incurred as a result of the use of - or reliance upon - the information provided, including liability stemming from reliance upon any part which may contain inadvertent errors, whether typographical or otherwise, or omissions of any kind.
KMDP-II Intervention Areas:
1. Practical Skills and Farm Management
Related Links
Practical Skills and Farm Management
2. Feed and Fodder
KMDP has built up rich knowledge and experience as regards good practice forage production and preservation for smallholder, medium and large scale dairy farms (from seed to feed). In addition to that, it has successfully piloted commercialization of quality forages and of forage contracting services. This was achieved through the SPEN model and the concept of “maize train” (i.e. mechanized agricultural contracting services for maize production, harvesting and silage making), and by facilitating introduction of innovative machinery for making baled silages. Through replication and upscaling, this will ensure enhanced access of quality forages for small medium and large-scale dairy farms.
In 2018 KMDP-II also started a pilot on introduction of feed rationing software to help optimizing total rations and margin over feeds. KMDP participates in sector platforms that discuss forage availability in Kenya and supported the National Fodder Conference in Nakuru in December 2017 and the Animal Production Society in Nanyuki in March 2018Related Links
Feed and Fodder
3. Milk Quality
KMDP-II works with 17 dairy cooperative societies and 3 milk processors (Meru Dairy Cooperative Union, Happy Cow Ltd and Bio Foods Ltd) on a number of issues related to milk production, collection, bulking and marketing; service provision and governance & management. The interventions on milk quality range from more generic to specific in terms of piloting innovations and policy lobbying. On the generic level milk collectors, transporters and graders of dairy cooperatives are trained and policies are being developed and implemented at cooperative level at all 17 cooperatives. Next to this KMDP has a targeted approach where it supports Happy Cow Ltd from Nakuru and two of the cooperatives that supply the processor with milk, with implementing a milk quality tracking & tracing system and a quality based milk payment system. At policy level KMDP-II works with the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the Kenya Dairy Processors Association (KDPA), where it supports the safe milk campaign and strategic planning
Related Links
Implementation of a quality-based milk payment (QBMP) system in Kenya 3R Kenya Project Research Brief)
Milk Quality
4. Functional Dairy Value Chains
KMDP-II (as in KMDP-I) promotes and support within the partnerships it has with processors (3) and dairy societies (17) so-called functional dairy value chains, characterized by formal and inclusive relationships between farmers, dairy societies and processors with inclusion of youth and women. Important drivers for such relationships are trust and loyalty, timely payment, fair and stable prices and provision of quality services from the processor to the dairy society to the farmer. This includes services provided in-house and partnerships with private input and service providers. These services should be geared towards enhancing productivity at the farm level, and efficiency & quality in raw milk collection and marketing. As this will contribute to enhanced profitability and sustainability of the dairy enterprise and the industry as a whole.
Functional dairy value chains are also characterized by a stable and conducive relationship of dairy value chain actors and input/service providers with policy makers and regulators. Be it at the level of Counties or national government. With a common vision on how to address systemic bottlenecks for sector growth and competitiveness. At this level KMDP supports Kenya Dairy Board and Kenya Dairy Processors Association, the latter with strategic plan development. KMDP also participates in national forums for feed & fodder, milk quality and TVET (practical skills development).Related Links
Functional Dairy Value Chains
5. International Linkages
KMDP promotes and facilitates international knowledge exchange, business linkages and other partnerships for learning and exchange. This is seen as an important condition for fast-tracking adoption of good agricultural practices and innovations that are necessary to enhance the competitiveness of the sector, its long term sustainability and its attractiveness for investors. KMDP-II will continue to organise and support investors’ forums, dairy trade fairs and exhibitions, market studies/scans, international study tours and trainings, and most importantly business-to-business linkages (B2B). B2B linkages and partnerships are considered as a more sustainable way of promoting change, innovations and best practices than aid-relationship are, as they are market-led and will continue as long as there is demand for the products and services. KMDP-I and II have been successful in forging B2B linkages between Kenyan and Dutch input suppliers and service providers, and assisted others with setting up base in Kenya and investing in the sector. This is partly facilitated through KMDP-II’s Innovation & Investment Fund which is the successor of KMDP-I’s Innovation Fund
Related Links
Eldoret Dairy Investor Forum KMDP-II Innovation & Investment Fund Charter
