Information Package / Course Catalogue
Diet Formulation
Course Code: ZT424
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The objective of this course is to provide students with the ability to formulate rations that meet the nutrient requirements of farm animals in accordance with their production levels based on international standards. The curriculum covers manual formulation methods such as the Pearson Square and trial-and-error, which form the mathematical foundation of ration formulation, as well as the working principles of computer software. Additionally, the effects of formulated rations on rumen metabolism and the prevention of diet-induced metabolic diseases through nutritional management are targeted.

Course Content

1. Fundamental concepts in animal nutrition, dry matter principles, and core tenets of rational livestock production. 2. Quantitative determination of nutrient requirements of animals according to international standards (NRC/CNCPS). 3. Calculation of nutritional contents of feed ingredients on an as-fed and dry matter basis. 4. Manual ration formulation methods (Trial-and-Error, Pearson Square, Double Pearson Square, Combined Groups). 5. Working principles and practical application of commercial ration formulation software packages. 6. Effects of rations on rumen metabolism and the nutritional management of metabolic diseases.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Gürhan KELEŞ
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the fundamental logic of ration formulation and dry matter principles in farm animal nutrition
2.Defines nutrient requirements of animals qualitatively and quantitatively.
3.Analyzes the crude nutrient profiles, digestive tract kinetics, and effects on rumen homeostasis of formulated rations, and performs nutritional evaluations.
4.Applies manual ration formulation methods (Trial-and-Error, Pearson Square, Combined Groups) in ration designs
5.Recognizes the working principles of computer-aided commercial ration software packages used in the animal nutrition industry and farm management.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Seventh Revised Edition, 2001
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction and Core Concepts: Establishing physiological and functional relationships between nutrients, feedstuffs, and rations
Week 2 - Theoretical
Infrastructural Components in Ration Formulation: Nutrient requirements, nutritional profiles of feeds, feed prices, and limitations.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Qualitative and Quantitative Nutrient Requirements: Bypass protein, metabolizable protein, starch degradation rate, fNDF, and other variables.
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Concept of Dry Matter and Conversion Calculations: Conversion of nutrient profiles between as-fed and dry matter bases, and simple blending equations.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Calculation of Nutritional Components on a Dry Matter Basis: Determination crude nutrients on a dry matter basis.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Computer-Aided Calculation of Nutritional Components on a Dry Matter Basis
Week 7 - Theoretical
Methods using For ration formulation (Trial-and-Error Method, pearson square, equations)
Week 8 - Theoretical
Simple Blending via the Pearson Square Method: Nutrient balancing using the Pearson square technique for simple two-component feed mixtures
Week 9 - Theoretical
Pearson Square Applications with Combined Feed Groups: Adapting multiple forage and concentrate groups into the Pearson square method through intra-group combinations.
Week 10 - Theoretical
The Double Pearson Square Method: Simultaneous balancing of two distinct nutrients (e.g., crude protein and energy) utilizing nested Pearson square models.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Ration Software Solutions for Dairy and Beef Cattle
Week 12 - Theoretical
Ration Software Solutions for Small Ruminants
Week 13 - Theoretical
Ration Software Solutions for Poultry and Compound Feeds
Week 14 - Theoretical
General Review: Comparative discussion of manual (Pearson square, trial-and-error) and computer-aided ration formulation techniques
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142256
Quiz2114
Midterm Examination1617
Final Examination1718
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
OÇ-1
4
4
OÇ-2
4
4
OÇ-3
4
4
OÇ-4
4
4
OÇ-5
4
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026