Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems LLC (AMTS) is launching an academic initiative to help educators teach the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) precision feeding model.
With input from Dr. Larry Chase and Dr. Michael VanAmburgh, Cornell University; Dr. Michel Wattiaux, University of Wisconsin; and Dr. William Prokop, director of operations, Cornell University Ruminant Center; the company has compiled a package of material for use in the classroom and as teaching exercises.
The packet includes software that contains a special teaching manual, tutorials and presentations, templates, sample farms and reference guides. The included manual is annotated to direct instructors to specific areas that may be especially useful on the classroom level. Presentations focusing on the CNCPS model biology, as well as program use have also been created.
User defined templates, reports and screen display options allow instructors to customize the program to their students' experience level and interests. Exercises, derived from an advanced nutrition class, familiarize students with the program and focus on showing students how changes to various inputs affect the model predictions.
To aid educators in knowing the time commitment for setting up the program and working with the exercises, the company provides time requirements derived from testers unfamiliar with or new to the model.
Caroline Rasmussen, chief financial officer, says, “I am excited about this initiative. We have offered the program free with special licenses for academics using the model for classroom teaching. This packet should make it very easy to incorporate model biology in vo-ag and college nutrition courses, generating wider adoption of ration formulation models.”
Available as a downloadable link or mailed on a flash drive, the complete packet is ready for distribution immediately. Existing academic license holders will be contacted with packet details. For more information, see the Academic Initiative Blog at Ruminationsor email Mariann Fessenden, AMTS Academic Liaison. PD
—From Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems news release
