News + Insights
The Interconnected Dairy: Decisions Have Downstream Consequences
KEY TAKEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE OF TECHNICAL TOPICS: Decisions have downstream consequences. Make sure you consider all options for your dairy.
Audit Feed Additives to Control Feed Costs
KEY TAKEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE OF TECHNICAL TOPICS: Feed additives can increase your feed cost/cow/day significantly. They are included in diet for specific reasons, determine if they are still valid. Not all additives are equal, use resources to make an informed decision. Milk price should not determine if a feed additive is appropriate.
Byproduct feeding opportunities can potentially reduce feed costs
The process of feeding dairy cows has evolved rapidly with the rest of the industry. Gone are the days of a scoop of this and scoop of that – from printed feed sheets to feed management software, we’ve certainly come a long way.
Understanding Vaccines
KEY TAKEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE OF TECHNICAL TOPICS: Vaccines help develop immunity by imitating a natural infection without illness. Vaccines greatly reduce the risk of outbreaks, but if problems do occur cases will be mild and recover faster. There are different vaccine types and new technology, know the pros and cons.
Cows Are the Ultimate Upcyclers, Mesa Dairy Farm Shows
Coulee Flats Dairy, in Mesa, Wash., uses leftover human food to feed their dairy cows. Standard Dairy Consultants works with the team to promote herd longevity and health. Hear Judd Higgins talk about it in this video.
Feed management software is critical to improving profitability, productivity and efficiency
In today’s world of low margins and volatility, we must utilize every tool available to optimize feed ingredients. By utilizing feed management software, producers can improve overall feeding performance, track inventory, individualize feeder incentives, and monitor financial metrics and feed efficiencies.
(Don’t) Stop the Count! Inventory Tracking and Management
KEY TAKEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE OF TECHNICAL TOPICS: Tracking forage inventory informs ration decisions, feed purchases, and next year’s crop plan. Measure or estimate forage inventory post-harvest. What went into the storage structure and what remains from the prior year?
Evaluating financial metrics: Income over feed cost—IOFC
The dairy industry is known for using a lot of metrics. There are reproductive metrics, financial metrics, production metrics and nutrition metrics. In the best cases, metrics help us make decisions and justify the decisions we make…
Harvesting haylage: A tricky endeavor and considerations for the future
KEY TAKEAWAYS IN THIS ISSUE OF TECHNICAL TOPICS: High quality haylage can reduce out of pocket feed cost. Use a PEAQ stick and growth stage of plant to help monitor when to cut your haylage. Quick dry…
