Most beef cattle nutritionists and producers begin balancing a ration using a least-cost formulation that considers the overall cost of mixing the diet and feeding the daily ration. Proper ration formulation for animal class allows nutritionists to predict how long beef cattle will need to be fed to achieve a targeted body weight.

Step 2 – thumb rule of ration balancing says that 400kg cow needs 10kg dry matter (2.5% of body weight) Step 3 – second thumb rule says divide feed ingredients into roughage (fibre which includes green fodder and straw) and concentrate (which include grains, oil cakes etc.), Animal need 2/3rd fibre and 1/3rd concentrate.