This new PDF report will become available for sale at www.lulu.com/sdaproducts from Tuesday 19 Feb 2013.

PRICE = N9,500

Table of Contents

1. Origin & History |

2. Breeding |

3. Housing |

4. Nutritional Requirements & Feeding |

5. Health Management |

6. Slaughtering |

7. Packaging |

8. By-Products Utilization |

9. Record Keeping |

10. Marketing |

11. Cooking Recipes |

Farm Biz Club Members pay N5,700 (40% off)

NB: You are a Farm Biz Ideas club member (and therefore get 40% lifetime discount on all products/services) if you’ve made purchases worth N8,000 or more in the past.

Order before Tuesday 19th February 2013 & get 12% off.

Email tayo at tksola dot com for details or clarification

Visit my Farm Business Ideas website for screenshots, videos, user guides of other products e.g the Feed Formulation Handbook and Software.

FREE UPGRADE Version of the popular Excel VB Ration Formulator. Tayo Solagbade demonstrates how to use the newly introduced “Store and Manage DERIVED Formulas Ration Interface” in the application.

You are able to store formulas you derive and export them into a seperate workbook.

All past buyers get it free. Just get in touch via tayo at tksola dot com or 234-803-302-1263

Click here to watch on Youtube

Requests I’ve gotten from persons wishing to learn Feed Formulation last year made me decide to offer an in person coaching service.

I’ve already had someone travel all the way from Akwa Ibom state specifically for this learning event. We met at the
Agric. Development Authority premises and had a great time visiting feed mills along the Oko Oba, Agege road.

Apart from developing Automated Excel Software (like my popular Livestock Ration Formulator), I also develop and implement web marketing systems, in addition to freelance writing for clients and on my own websites/blogs.

This is why the attention I pay to the Cost-Saving Farm Business Ideas service is designed to be on a needs basis.

If you’re interested in booking a similar session, I provide relevant details below

1. To “teach” you practical feed formulation in person, one-on-one, will require a 100% advance payment of a non-refundable fee of N50,000.00.

This will get you a 4 hour session with me, in which I will take you through the theoretical aspect of using the Pearson Square Calculation to formulate your livestock ration.

This will be followed with the physical selection, weighing and milling of the feed ingredients in the appropriate quantities at a feed mill.

You will get a printed and bound copy of my popular Practical Livestock Feed Formulation Handbook at NO EXTRA CHARGE (N8,000 value).

2. I’ve had some ask me if I’ll provide on-farm practical training on livestock feed formulation.

First of all, I do NOT run a farm currently. I am a multipreneur, earning income using a variety of skills.

As is stated on my Cost Saving Farm Business Ideas website, I plan to establish a Farm Business Support and Extension Advisory Services Center at some point in the future.

But for now, I do NOT run a farm.

However, a read through the website will reveal I have reliable farm business exposure, experience and network of contacts with farm business owners within and outside Lagos.

Now, I’m not sure how much experience or knowledge you have of feed compounding, but the truth is most of what it entails can happen right in your bedroom – and you’ll only need to step out when you want to measure out the different ingredients in your formula, so as to take them down to the feed mill.

What I’m saying in essence is that typically a farm owner, if knowledgeable about feed formulation, will do his/her calculations, and then measure out the different quantities of feed ingredients based on his computed feeding formula.

S/he will then grind them all together to the right consistency for the livestock s/he aims to feed.

Indeed, you may find you go from your home, to the feed mill FIRST, and only arrive the farm when you have the milled feed ready for use in feeding your animals.

Simply put therefore, “on-farm practical training on livestock feed formulation” is not really an issue to worry about.

Once you understand the practical science of feed formulation, and gain insight into how to select good quality ingredients (with reasonably accurate nutrient composition data), you are good to go.

A Suggestion For You

It’s up to you to decide, but I believe unless you doubt your ability to understand written notes and follow step by step guidelines, you would save a lot of money by simply purchasing the feed formulation handbook, and/or the software with it’s user guide and video tutorials. This entitles you to get FREE support via phone and e-mail whenever you need help.

Learn More About The Feed Formulation Handbook & Software

You can learn more about my Feed Formulation Handbook and software by visiting this page:
http://iff.spontaneousdevelopment.com/wp/feed-formulation/

Among other things, you’ll:

A. gain access to links leading to a video demonstrations of the spreadsheet software being used to formulate a ration

B. read answers to Frequently Asked Questions from past buyers and enquirers

Get The New/Enhanced Ration Formulator

Below is a screenshot showing newly added user interfaces in the software. Price is N12,500.

It now provides 7 additional rows for feed ingredients, making a total of 19.

Past buyers get this new version free.

Download the PDF guide from
http://www.tinyurl.com/rfpdf2013

How The New Ration Formulator Works

Included in the attached zipped folder along with the app is a workbook named “RF-Export.xls”.

This is where the Ration Formulator will export each of your derived formulas when you click the Export Formula button.

Please note that all 3 files (i.e the app, the export file and the PDF userguide) MUST always be kept in the same location when you’re using the Ration Formulator!

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT USING THE NEW STORE FORMULA BUTTON:

The app also enables storage, edit and export of derived ration formulas.

It is assumed that you will use the floating data entry form FIRST, to generate a new ration formula, before you try to store a formula using the newly introduced form.

So, before anything else, you MUST FIRST click the “Use Automatic Form” button. This will prepare the spreadsheet to allow changes you’ll be making via ANY of the floating forms.

When that form loads, if you have no wish to use it to generate a formula, close it.

(NB: If you do not do the above, you are likely to encounter problems making use of the new form for storing formulas.)

Next, proceed as follows:

1. Click button labelled “Store THIS Formula…” to call up the newly added formula storage/retrieval form.

2. Storing a formula:

To store the formula currently displayed in the Ration Formulation table, type the name you want to use for it into the “Name” field and click the “Store This Formula Here” button.

3. Deleting a formula:

Clicking the “Erase ” button will generate a confirmation prompt that you must click YES on, if you wish to have the corresponding formula and name erased.

You will visually notice the update done by the app, as the formula’s name is removed from the form to complete the process.

4. Don’t Forget To SAVE Your Formula:

You must click the “…Save Changes” button provided (and complete the saving process) BEFORE you exit or close the software, if you want any formula(s) you named or erased to be updated permanently.

Note that by defult, the new form will load the names for any formulas already stored when you call it up. You can always REPLACE or typeover such preexisting names to store a new formula. But the new formula will also replace the preexisting formula.

EXPORT FEATURE: See the PDF guide for full details of this and the above, complete with annotated screenshot images. should get it right soon, and it’ll be sent after full testing to all existing users.

Order The Least Cost Ration Formulator

I’ve now finished the user guide for the Least Cost Ration Formulator which a number of past buyers enquired about.

Apart from enabling a user set criteria (e.g. target protein, energy etc) and generate a least cost ration, it also comes with ALL the new features in the free upgrade version of the Basic Ration Formulator.

But it does even more, as it stores, edits and exports formulas in thousands.

This makes it potentially useful for consultants formulating rations for others.

Price = N25,000.00

As stated on my website purchases of N8,000 and above entitle buyers to a lifetime discount of 40% and one year membership of my Farm Biz Ideas online club.

That means you pay only N15,000 as a past buyer.

Videos and a PDF guide will be put up soon for this latest product.

This is the first post in an enlightenment series I’ve decided to progressively publish on my Cost-Saving Farm Business Ideas. Other posts in the series will follow, for Broiler Finisher Ration, Chicks Starter Ration, Growers’ Ration and Layers’ Ration.

NB: The series will be based – in part – on excerpts from my Feed Formulation Handbook.

Efficiency of Feed Utilisation Is Critically Important

A key area to watch when looking to improve your broiler operation’s efficiency and profitability is the efficiency of feed utilisation. This is determined to some extent by the genetic strain of the birds used in your broiler production process. Once you get the birds on site however, you’ll have to make do with whatever performance they can deliver.

That’s why you will need to pay serious attention to supplying the birds with feed that facilitates optimal feed to flesh conversion by your birds.

With respect to the above, broiler chicks differ from layer chicks in that they have relatively higher protein (between 22 – 24%)* and energy (3,000 – 3,200 kcal/kg of ration)* requirements. To achieve proper amino acid profile balance, fish meal is required at 5 to 7%* of broiler feed. And an energy booster may sometimes be added in form of oil, to the feed, but this should not generally exceed 5%*.

The obvious reason for this is their need to achieve rapid growth to table size within a short period of 8 weeks or less.

The broiler’s need for high feed utilization necessarily implies that feed it consumes be fairly low in fibre content. The foregoing greatly enhance digestibility of the feed for broilers – as does a calcium level kept between 0.6 to a maximum of 0.8%*, and a phosphorous level of 0.4 to 0.6%*.

Avoid Costly Mistakes: Formulate Your Own Broiler Rations

As can be seen from the above, quite a number of parameters need to be tracked towards achieving productive feeding of commercial broilers.  And given the time sensitive nature of this venture, it goes without saying that you cannot afford to make avoidable mistakes especially where it relates to feeding.

Apart from feeding the birds with the right ration formula, you also want to avoid spending more than you should. Otherwise, when it’s time to go to market with your market ready birds, you may be looking at slimmer and less profitable margins – or indeed a loss.

You can take care of the above concerns by doing what more profit and performance conscious farmers now do: Start making your own feed for your animals. That way, you can be sure they’re getting the nutrients you want them to get, in the quantities they need to get them.

Aim For Least Cost Rations: Use Automation To Reduce Errors And Save Time/Effort

However, because feed formulation and compounding can be a tasking exercise, you may wish to employ some automation in doing them repetitively. For instance, to achieve the twin desirable goals of balanced feed for your broilers, and the least cost, a mathematical programming model would come in handy.

Some people use linear programming. Others use the diagrammatic Pearson Square Computation method. Both these methods have been successfully incorporated into spreadsheets that make their use less intellectually demanding.

The idea here is to use the computer to generate the cheapest possible broiler ration that has all the key features mentioned above. That kind of ration is called a Least Cost Ration. And it is quite different from a lowest priced ration. Read more about it in my article titled “A Key to Livestock Farming Success”.

Final Words: To Feed Them Right, Know Your Broilers’ Actual Nutrient Needs!

What you need to keep in mind is that successful use of the above methods and relevant automation will depend greatly on your sound knowledge of the “essential features of YOUR broiler starter ration”!

Like I have said elsewhere, no two farms will ever function exactly alike. There will always be differences in modes of operation, and standards of performance.

Your farm will be equally unique in that regard. So, you must do your homework and ensure the data you use for your planning and computations towards feeding and managing your broilers are accurate and reliable. Otherwise, your broiler farm’s output will be disappointing in the long run.

*PS: The nutrient values mentioned in this article are general estimates based on the author’s observations and experiences.  It goes without saying that they are not representative of what obtains for feed used on all broiler farms.

Get The NEW Excel-VB Ration Formulator!

This new version allows you to:

1. Include 7 EXTRA feed ingredients in your rations.
2. Store 3 FORMULAS you derive for future recall/refinement
3. Export your stored formulas into a separate workbook!

A new PRO VERSION goes even further to allow you specify target values for your ration’s protein, energy, calcium, fibre etc. After that, a single click automatically generates a Least Cost Ration Formula for you. I call it the "Least Cost Ration Formulator". (To understand why you should use a least cost ration and NOT a lowest-priced ration, read this article: www.tinyurl.com/leastcostration)

Send your enquiry, along with your name, and mobile phone number to tayo at tksola dot com. If you already own the basic Ration Formulator, you get the new upgrade version FREE. 

Get in touch: Call 234-803-302-1263.

Fig 1 Above: Extended data form with currency specification, and a button for initiating addition of 7 extra ingredients (ADD INGR)

Fig 2 – Above: New data entry form for adding 7 extra ingredients loaded by clicking "ADD INGR" button in Fig 1.

Fig 3 – Above: New data form for STORING, RECALLING and EXPORTING derived ration formulas.

“The majority of people are ready to throw their aims and purposes overboard, and give up at the first sign of opposition or misfortune.” – Napoleon Hill

The basic habits required for achieving LONG TERM success in business or personal life are generally the same (Note that the capitalised emphasis on “long term” is deliberate).

This article illustrates potential benefits of being habitually adaptable, using the true story of how I achieved my goal of improved fluency in spoken French, by spending 3 “challenging” weeks in Cameroon.

(NB: It ends with a link to a longer article that explains how I got stranded in Douala without money, and had to “adapt” by finding a way to return to Nigeria in a boat!)

Background

In 1999, I travelled while on annual leave from my job as a Shift Brewer in Guinness Nigeria, to spend 3 weeks in Cameroon improving my spoken French by conversing with native speakers.

Earlier that year, I’d attended an intensive 3 month French Language Training Course conducted by Chi Valentine Alake, a highly entreprising Cameroonian who (was based in Nigeria at the time, and) ran a language school in Benin City, Edo state where I was based.

After my 3 months intensive classroom training ended, it was obvious I had major difficulty making basic conversation, despite my reading and writing proficiency.

So Valentine arranged for me to spend time in his country. The idea was that I needed to be in an environment where few people spoke English. That way I’d be forced to use my spoken French more often, and consequently improve.

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(TIP: If you really want to be able to speak any language you learn in class, keep the foregoing tip in mind. It’s worked for me, and others I know. My experience based insights are documented in this ebook I published some years ago.)
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I travelled by road for over 24 hours through rough terrain, from Lagos to Calabar, then through Ikom (a border town in Nigeria) to Ekok (in Cameroon). From there, I took a car going to Kumba, and finally a bus that arrived in Douala.

Below: Picture of my passport showing stamped immigration border control passes with dates for my entry to and exit from Cameroon. Note the stamp to the extreme left with ORON control printed in it. As I stated in my article I came by by Sea via Idinao port in Cameroon, to Oron, in Nigeria.

Adapting To Local Food & Living Conditions During My Stay

Over the next 3 weeks I spent time living in accomodation provided by my hosts in Douala and Yaounde respectively.

In the former, I learnt to eat interesting local dishes like Achu (made from Cocoyam) and a kind of snack called “Bobolo” made of solidified starch moulded into a long pipe shape. This went down well with roasted or fried fish.

Everyday I went out to Marche Mokolo (French for “Mokolo Market”), where I spent time trying to converse with traders.

I also walked long distances around town to social spots like restaurants, bars and sports centres. Wherever I found myself, I readily embraced the ways things were done.

As a result people warmed up to me and taught me new words in addition to showing me places I would never have discovered on my own.

When I told my hosts of the places I’d been and what I’d learnt, they were often impressed that they did not have to take me around or assign me a guide. This especially since it was my first visit to their country.

I Move To Yaounde

A week into my stay, Valentine’s sister arranged for me to move to Cite Verte (pronounced “see tay vert”), where her older sister lived with her lawyer husband.

Compared to the Doula home I had lived in, this was an upscale neighbourhood.

In no time I settled in and began going out daily to interact with locals in the market places, recreational centers, bus parks etc.

Just like I’d done in Douala, I quickly made friends, and soon established a routine for my visits. The people were always so friendly. And whenever they learnt I was visiting to practise my spoken French, they were often pleased and keen to help.

Living In Mendong In Yaounde Countryside

When it was about 10 days to the end of my stay, my hosts arranged for me to spend a few days with a childhood friend of Valentine’s.

He lived in an area on the outskirts of Yaounde called “Mendong” (pronounced with the “g” silent).

Being a bachelor (like I was), Eduj naturally lived alone and cooked his own meals.

So we found an instant connection as we lived together in his small apartment.

Over the weekend, he taught me to make Groundnut Stew. And I also got a taste of life close to what obtained in rural areas.

For instance we had to walk a distance to fetch water for drinking and bathing from a large volcanic water spring used by dwellers.

Each day he went to work, I also left to explore the area’s social spots. And I again soon found willing helpers and friends.

At a point, three guys who ran a used books store began leaving me there to attend to buyers, who most times spoke no english.

I had to really struggle to understand and respond in coherent French to the various purchase enquiries.

The little kids who came looking to buy French versions of various popular comics and novels, enjoyed laughing at my awkward efforts!

That particular experience greatly boosted my spoken fluency. When I got back to Benin city, Valentine readily noticed the improvement.

Attending A Youth Conference In Oballa

I eventually moved back to Cite Verte. But before I left Yaounde to return to Douala in the last days of my stay, I followed directions on a flyer to attend a conference organised by members of a “President Biya’s Youth Movement” in a distant town called Oballa.

It took hours to get there and back. I returned to my hosts’ place at Cite Verte much later than usual that day (about 10p.m).

They were starting to get worried. When I told them where I’d been, they expressed surprise that I’d had the courage to go that far on my own.

Final Words: Being Adaptable Can Help You Overcome Business Challenges & Setbacks

My return trip to Nigeria at the end of my 3 week stay would however take longer, and was less straight forward.

That was because on the day I was to return home, I made the shocking discovery that I had to travel back without money I’d planned to use!

Thankfully, I made it back – by once again adapting to that unexpected development. (See details in my article titled “How I Travelled To Nigeria – 12 Hours Overnight By Sea, Under Heavy Rainfall, In A Leaky Boat – From Douala, Cameroon, Despite Having No Money!“.

After I’d returned to Nigeria for about two weeks, Valentine’s sister (in Yaounde) wrote him an email in which she mentioned me.

He called my attention to a paragraph in which she said
“Your friend is so adaptable. We were quite impressed with him.”

It’s this same habit of being adaptable that’s helped me routinely and repeatedly overcome every challenge or setback I’ve encountered since becoming an entrepreneur ten years ago.

Without it, I’m certain I would have been overwhelmed by the multiple bouts of adversity I have survived to get where I am today.

With it, one always feels s/he can find a way to make things work out okay. No matter how bad they look!

If you have not already formed this habit, I strongly encourage you to work at it as you begin your business activities in this new year.

The best part is that everything you need is already inside you: it’s just a mindset you need to develop.

You’ll start thinking up ways to make the most of any situation that confronts you in running your business – or indeed your life.

That would be much better than throwing your hands up in frustration – or surrender – like most people often do!