Dairy owners in the United States confront various obstacles in the calm milk market, including the possibility of declining profitability. As milk prices remain variable, dairy farmers may achieve profitability by focusing more on management, animal genetics, nutrition programs, and general efficiency.
Dairy farmers should explore selling carbon credits in 2024 and beyond, since they have been shown in study to reduce enteric methane while increasing milk output and feed efficiency. This initiative is already in place, with participating dairy farmers receiving compensation for reducing enteric methane while improving the sustainability of their operations. On-farm replacement heifer stocks should be reviewed on a regular basis, since having too many heifers takes up valuable facility space and depletes feed stockpile. An increasingly common strategy is to breed future dairy replacement heifers from heifers and first-lactation animals, whose genetic composition is statistically superior to that of older cows.
Maximizing farm-raised feedstuffs is critical for dairy farmers, since high-producing herds thrive on diets with forage levels of 60% or higher. High-oleic soybeans may be utilized as an on-farm protein source since they have a better fatty acid profile than normal soybeans do. Research has shown that feeding high-oleic soybeans may increase milk fat by 0.2 units when compared to normal soybean feeding.
Maximizing milk solids to promote energy-corrected milk (ECM) may result in a good return on investment while maintaining milk volume. Supplementing methionine hydroxy analog (MHA) and/or bypassing palm fat may increase butterfat percentages on-farm by 0.3-0.5%. Moving ahead, increased profitability targets will be aligned with maximum butterfat synthesis.
Cow grouping may enhance health, increase productivity, and generate cash above feed expenses. The advantages of correct grouping include a decreased frequency of metabolic diseases, cheaper feed costs, better reproduction, higher lifetime milk output, and optimal parlor flow. Grouping tactics based on parity and stage of lactation may assist dairy farmers in navigating these hurdles and achieving future profitability.
There are various ways that may be used to improve dairy operations. These include lowering feed shrink, improving feed bunk management, developing close-up dry cow diets, enhancing herd reproduction, and incorporating organic trace minerals.
Reducing feed shrink entails limiting losses at critical control points such as feed ingredient processing, storage, mixing and feeding, feed bunk management, and weather-related disruptions. Proper silage face management and frequent dry matter determination analysis on wet forages may also assist to prevent shrinkage.
Increasing feed bunk management entails creating a timetable that corresponds to the milking schedule, supplying new feed when cows return to the parlor, and arranging more push-ups throughout the day. Maintaining a uniform distribution of feed over the feedline guarantees that all cows may eat at their preferred place. Time-lapse cameras may be used to track regular chores and keep cows from running out of fodder.
During the transition phase, close-up dry cow meals reduce metabolic issues while increasing cow comfort by giving enough room for laying down and eating while limiting pen movements. Manage the feed bunk by adjusting intakes and utilizing only high-quality forages with sufficient fiber. Implement daily cow-level monitoring to check for changes in body temperature, activity, and eating behavior.
Continue to increase herd reproduction by employing systematic breeding programs and/or wearable technology to boost heat detection efficiency, first service, 21-day pregnancy rate, labor demand, and overall reproductive success. Using organic trace minerals may help optimize herd genetic potential, resulting in greater efficiency advantages such as higher milk supply, better reproductive performance, better hoof health, and a lower somatic cell count.
Successful dairy businesses are based on a trusted team of advisers that collaborate with farmers to offer something of value to the table. A successful team establishes objectives on a regular basis, communicates a vision, maintains priorities, and keeps each other responsible for achieving them. The farm manager/producer should facilitate and own the strategy, with the assistance of each team member’s area of expertise.
Developing a culture of continuous improvement on the farm is critical to success. Setting and setting down objectives for profitable improvements in the next year might help you track your progress over time. Contact your local Hubbard Feeds dairy salesperson for more information on these suggested adjustments.
