OptiFormula, Excel and the editions compared
How feed formulation in Excel or by hand differs from OptiFormula, and the Single Blend, Multi Blend and Multi Plant editions side by side.
OptiFormula or Excel and hand calculation?
Excel is enough for basic calculations and teaching with a few ingredients and nutrients. As nutrient and ingredient limits multiply, prices change often and several feeds share the same stock, it takes time and raises the risk of errors.
| Topic | Excel or by hand | OptiFormula |
|---|---|---|
| Least cost | Trial and error, or a separate Solver setup for each formula | Linear programming finds the least-cost formula that meets every limit in seconds |
| Feeding systems | Requirements are typed in from tables and kept up to date by hand | NASEM, INRA, CVB, NRC, ICAR, IAFFD and FEDIAF are built into the program |
| Price changes | Each formula is recalculated one by one | Prices are updated and formulas solved again; shadow prices and price ranges show at which price each ingredient enters the formula |
| Limited ingredient stock | Each formula assumes unlimited stock; the total need is checked by hand | In Premium and Ultimate, formulas are solved together with the shared stock; the limited ingredient goes to the feed where it adds most value |
| Several mills | A separate file per mill and coordination by hand | In Ultimate, distribution between mills, freight and periods are solved in one plan |
| Error checks | Formula, unit and copy errors can go unnoticed | Every nutrient and ingredient limit is checked in each solution; limits that cannot be met are shown as warnings |
| Records and reports | Formula history and reports are kept by hand | Formulas are stored in a database; inclusion rates, nutrient values, cost and shadow prices are reported |
In a live demo you can see the difference with your own ingredients and prices.
Single Blend, Multi Blend and Multi Plant
Pro solves each formula on its own (Single Blend). Premium solves the formulas of one mill together with the shared ingredient stock (Multi Blend). Ultimate plans across mills and over several periods (Multi Plant, Multi Period).
| Feature | Pro Single Blend | Premium Multi Blend | Ultimate Multi Plant · Multi Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Define several mills | Included | Included | Included |
| Formulas solved together | Not included | Within a mill | Across mills |
| Least-cost single formula | Included | Included | Included |
| Shadow prices and parametric analysis | Included | Included | Included |
| Enzyme matrix and nutrient ratio equations | Included | Included | Included |
| NIR and lab result import, label printing | Included | Included | Included |
| Solve a mill’s formulas together against shared silo stock | Not included | Included | Included |
| Ingredient requirements plan from plant tonnage (MRP) | Not included | Included | Included |
| Joint solving across mills and regional freight planning | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Ingredient transfers and capacity balancing between plants | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Forward planning over weekly or monthly periods | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Forward contracts, vessel arrivals and carry-over stock | Not included | Not included | Included |
| OptiFormula TMR (cattle, small ruminants, buffalo) | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on |
Which edition suits whom?
OptiFormula Pro
Each formula on its own (Single Blend)
For nutrition consultants, premix producers and mills that solve formulas one at a time
OptiFormula Premium
Formulas solved together within a mill (Multi Blend)
For compound feed producers with one mill or several
OptiFormula Ultimate
Across mills and periods (Multi Plant, Multi Period)
For multi-plant groups and central purchasing teams
OptiFormula TMR
Ruminant rations: cattle, small ruminants, buffalo
For cattle, sheep, goat and buffalo farms and nutrition consultants
Frequently asked questions
Isn't Excel enough to make formulas?
Excel is fine for basic calculations and teaching. But with many nutrient and ingredient limits, price changes, shadow prices and several feeds to solve together, it takes time and raises the risk of errors.
What is the difference between free ration programs and professional software?
Free tools usually work with a single feeding system and a limited ingredient list, are not updated and offer no support. Professional software brings current systems, multi-formula solving with limited stock, reports and support together.
What sets one formulation program apart from another?
Programs using a similar calculation method usually find the same formula from the same inputs. The differences are in how current the feeding systems are, whether several formulas and mills can be solved together, the reports and ease of use. OptiFormula offers NASEM, INRA, CVB, NRC, ICAR, IAFFD and FEDIAF in one program.
What should I look for when choosing formulation software?
Look at current feeding systems for your species, how easy it is to enter your own analyses, solving several formulas together, shadow prices and parametric analysis, support and training, and the total cost of ownership.
What is the difference between Pro, Premium and Ultimate?
In Pro each formula is solved on its own, and several mills can be defined. In Premium the formulas of the same mill are solved together, sharing the ingredient stock. Ultimate adds planning across mills and over several periods.
What is the advantage of formulating several feeds at once?
When feeds that share the same ingredient stock are solved together, the limited ingredient goes to the feed where it adds the most value and the total cost falls. Solving them one at a time misses this.
What sets OptiFormula apart from competing programs?
It offers NASEM, INRA, CVB, NRC, ICAR, IAFFD and FEDIAF in one program, solves formulas together with limited stock and plans across mills and periods. It brings compound feed and TMR under one roof.