Dairy Performance

Our consultants are involved in numerous discussions with producers about high-oleic roasted soybeans in dairy diets. This feed may be particularly interesting to farms using automated milking systems (AMS).

Heat stress in dairy cattle is something we acknowledge as both a major animal welfare concern and an economic loss to the dairy. Strategies to minimize heat stress can be confusing. This is partly due to animals in different parts of the country and world experiencing varying levels of heat stress as well as performance variance among certain types of heat abatement systems in different environments.

While all tasks on a dairy farm have their challenges and importance, arguably feeding cows is one of the most important. Consistency is key when providing cows with the best circumstances to perform. Milk production, health and reproduction can suffer if a cow does not receive the correct proportions of nutrients daily.

Milk fat contributes a significant amount to the monthly milk check. As a result, it is important for dairy farmers to maximize milk fat yield to improve herd profitability. Various nutrition and management factors can impact milk fat yield in dairy cows, including feeding supplemental fat sources, providing the precursors for de novo fatty acid synthesis, and mitigating the risks for decreased milk fat synthesis.

Utilizing high oleic soybeans to help increase fat and protein yield in milk is a hot topic of conversation among dairy producers. Protein and fat sources are expensive nutrients in dairy rations. High oleic soybeans can allow producers to decrease ration costs and increase fat in the diet.

Long-term growth in dairy operations is the lifeblood of the industry. A farm’s growth can allow for more profitability, give space for new generations to enter the business and make it possible to adopt new technologies to become more sustainable.

We are doing a two-part series about strategies to coach and manage employees. In part two of this series, the author will be discussing how culture impacts employee management and why employees need to be put in positions that capitalize on their individual talents.

We are doing a two-part series about effective management styles on-farm. In part one of this series, the author will be discussing the importance of self-reflection and considering the concept of "who not how" in employee relationships.

Finding strategies to maximize dairy cattle performance is critical for any dairy operation. With feed representing more than 50% of the cost of milk production, it is important to regularly evaluate feed costs, ask whether you are getting acceptable returns on your farm’s feed additives and dietary strategies, and explore whether you have opportunities to invest in milk production for a greater return.  

With colder temperatures, we are seeing a significant increase in bird pressure on dairy farms. Birds have always been a concern on dairy farms, but the onset of avian influenza virus type A (H5N1) has brought a greater spotlight to the issue.

Technologies play a huge role in data management and efficient practices on today’s dairies. While new technology adaptions can be challenging, utilizing new technologies and management systems can help producers enhance their bottom line.

Ease of management, ability to ensile a quality forage and cost effectiveness make silage piles a great storage option. To ensure a successful drive-over silage pile is achieved, planning, preparation and communication are essential.

A balanced diet is crucial to a dairy farm’s success, and managing all the variables that come with feeding cows is just as important. Variation can exist within forage piles, ingredients, feed mixing and delivery, and at the feedbunk. It doesn’t matter if a ration is perfectly formulated if these other factors keep cows from eating it.

Sorting dairy cows by stage of lactation may improve farm profitability by supporting the peak production of high-producing cows and lowering feed costs for low-producing cows. Understanding your farm’s feed costs in addition to your cows’ response to pen moves and diet changes is key to capitalizing on this strategy.

A significant portion of the milk check depends on the amount of fat and protein in the milk. The obvious goal is to maximize income by boosting component yields while managing input costs.

As the newest member of my company’s youngstock nutrition team and the most recent returning member to my family dairy, here are some best practices for hiring and inspiring your calf team from the eyes of a young professional.