InraPorc is a model and software tool to analyze performance and to evaluate different nutritional strategies for growing pigs and sows. InraPorc has been developed at the INRAE / Institut Agro Rennes-Angers "UMR PEGASE" research unit in Saint-Gilles, France (near Rennes). The software is intended to be used by nutritionists or for teaching nutritional principles (more information).
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Screenshots
Feeds and feeding
The feed and feed ingredients module allows you to define different nutritional characteristics.
The composition of a feed may also be calculated from the composition of feed ingredients. The contribution of each feed ingedient to different nutritional characteristics (e.g., to protein or net energy) can be determined.
Qualitative and quantitative aspects of feeding are defined independently. A feed sequence plan describes the feed(s) that are used in different periods. The feed rationining plan describes the quantity of feed that is distributed. Both the feed sequence plan and the feed rationing plan use the notion of (successive) rules. Each rule describes a type or quantity of feed that is used during that rule. For example, bi-phase feeding will be described by two rules. For sows, gestation, lactation, and weaning-to-conception interval are descibed by different sets of rules.
Animal profile
An animal profile describes the performance potential for growing pigs or sows.
For a growing pig, this potential is described by the farm conditions, ad libitum feed intake and performance, and the response to an energy restriction.
A sow profile is determined by the charactersitics of the sow (and the sow herd), the piglets and feed intake. Average data from farms can be used to enter this information.
For growing pigs and sows, a parameter calibration procedure may be used to adjust some model parameters so that simulated performance matches a closely as possible the observed performance during the productive life of the animal.
Types of simulations
In InraPorc, three types of simulations can be performed. A single simulation provides an in-depth analysis of performance, nutrient partitioning and nutrient requirements. To perform a simulation, a feed sequence plan, a feed rationing plan, housing conditions (for sows), and an animal profile are required. In addition, the results of different single simulations may be compared or a sensitivity analysis can be performed to test the sensitivity to key model parameters or model inputs
A few simulation results
Simulation results can be shown graphically or as a summary report. The graphical presentation of simulation results provides information on how nutrient input and nutrient partitioning change during the productive life of the animal.
