Introduction
Hello and welcome to GPS. My name is Dr. Jim Quigley, Managing Director of Calf Notes Consulting and author of Calf Notes, and the newest member of the Calf Notes Consulting family: the Calf Growth Prediction System, or GPS.
Thank you for your interest in the program. I’m confident that you’ll find it provides insights into calf nutrition that have never been available before. GPS helps improve diets for young calves, optimizing their growth, efficiency, and welfare. This introductory video will help you get started with the program and guide you to success.
Overview of the Getting Started Video
This video is designed to introduce the GPS program, including:
- How to enter data
- How to interpret results
- How to save your work
- How to access additional information
The main topics we’ll cover include:
- Output windows
- Navigating the main menu
- Nutrient grids
- Interpreting output
- Saving files
- Accessing help and support
Navigating the Output Windows
Once you’ve downloaded the program, entered your credentials, and accessed the start screen, you’ll see two tabs in the lower-left corner: Scientific and Performance.
- The Scientific tab shows detailed simulation data.
- The Performance tab offers a simpler view of the same results.
You can switch between tabs by clicking on them. Both tabs present similar data, such as average daily gain, but with different levels of detail.
Using the Main Menu
The main menu remains the same across both tabs. It’s where most of the data input and reporting takes place.
- Left Side: Input feeding program details for liquids, grains, and forages.
- Right Side: Access output for minerals, amino acids, diagnostics, and reporting.
You can also update calf characteristics (birth weight, mature weight, target gain) and change model settings via the Farm & Calf and Settings tabs.
Adjusting Model Settings and Appearance
- Settings Tab: Contains “switches” that adjust internal calculations and visual indicators.
- Palette Option: Changes the color scheme of the interface (e.g., to dark mode).
- Reporting Tab: Allows farm information entry and report generation (to file or printer).
Exploring Minerals, Amino Acids, and Diagnostics
- Minerals: Macro and micro mineral data with detailed intake vs. requirement charts.
- Amino Acids: Digestion and utilization are presented in detail.
- Diagnostics: Offer numerous reports about the calves, either for a single day or the entire simulation.
Each has dedicated screens and will be explored further in separate videos.
Understanding and Using Nutrient Grids
There are three main nutrient grids:
- Liquids (milk, milk replacer)
- Grains (starter, grower, concentrate)
- Forages (e.g., straw)
Each grid has two views:
- Composition: Nutrient values (up to 54 nutrients, 10 displayed by default).
- Feeding Program: Details feeding schedules, quantities, costs, and limits.
You can modify nutrients by typing directly into the grid or using the built-in calculator (right-click → enter values → paste).
Liquid Feeding Programs
The liquid program includes:
- Up to 20 feeding periods
- Columns for start day, end day, and grams fed/day
- Ability to combine colostrum, transition milk, and milk replacer
Example:
- Day 1: 6 liters of colostrum (split AM/PM)
- Days 2–3: Colostrum mixed with transition milk
- Day 4 onward: Switch to milk replacer in increasing amounts
- Day 56: Weaning begins, tapering off milk replacer
The model automatically recalculates beginning days and nutrient intake as values are changed.
Grain and Forage Feeding Programs
- Grain (e.g., calf starter/grower): Cost, feeding duration, and daily maximums are set.
- Forage (e.g., wheat straw): Similar setup, with the option to limit forage as a percentage of dry matter.
Feeding program screens can be accessed either through buttons in the nutrient grid or via the main menu.
Interpreting Output Data
Output includes detailed graphs and tables for:
- Minerals: Visual comparison of intake vs. requirement.
- Amino Acids: Shows intake, requirement, and supply adjusted for digestibility.
- Simulation Reports: Numerous formats and graphs are available to track calf growth and nutrition status over time.
Saving and Managing Files
GPS files are stored in the Documents > GPS Version 1.0 folder and saved in CSV format.
To save your work:
- Click File > Save in the main menu.
- Choose a name or accept the default with today’s date.
- Files can be reopened or renamed for tracking simulation versions.
Accessing Help and Documentation
Help is available in several ways:
- Help Buttons: Found in most windows and interface elements.
- Main Menu > Help: Links to the GPS online help system.
- Contextual Help: Double-clicking a graph (e.g., Average Daily Gain chart) opens help specific to that feature.
The GPS website includes extensive documentation on:
- Nutrient grids
- File formats
- Reporting
- Output interpretation
Conclusion
This video should give you a strong foundation for using the Calf Growth Prediction System. We hope it puts you on the right track to maximize your calves’ growth, health, and feeding efficiency. Explore the help system and upcoming training videos to get the most from GPS.
4o