The feed costs for dry cows and heifers can influence the cash flow as much as the lactating cow. This is particularly true if forage inventories are lacking. The feed costs per nonlactating animal can be very close to what the market is reflecting. This is due to feeding both purchased forage and grain. Examining feeding strategies for all animal groups is warranted considering the continued high feed costs in 2021.
The first quarter of 2021 is showing substantially higher feed costs compared to the same period in 2019 and 2020 (Table 1). The feed costs reflect market prices for both forages and grains. It is not unusual to observe feed costs close to market prices for dairies with limited acreage for the herd size because they purchase most of their feed for dry cows and heifers. Based on financial assessments conducted by the extension dairy business management team, approximately 15% of the total feed costs, including forage and grains, is devoted to the non-lactating animals. Even though that is not a huge amount, it can impact the total cash flow and profitability.
Rations fed to dry cows are critical to preparing for the next lactation. Transitioning to the lactating cow ration requires feeding similar forages and grains in the two-to-three-week period prior to calving. If ensiled forages are limited or not fed and dry cows are receiving mainly a hay-based diet, this could make the fresh cows more susceptible to metabolic problems and sluggish in reaching peak milk production. It is not only the direct feed cost that can negatively impact cash flow but also the ripple effects on animal performance in the first 100 days in milk.
There are two major milestones for the dairy heifer: breeding age and age at first calving. Improper nutrition that results in short fat heifers or skinny heifers can delay heifers getting pregnant, which then delays the age at first calving. If heifers freshen past 24 months of age, then there is the additional feed cost before she starts generating income. Like the dry cow scenario, it is not just the high feed cost that impacts profitability, but the potential for poor animal performance at freshening. Heifers should be averaging over 60 pounds of milk in the first 40 days in milk. If that goal is not being met, evaluate the heifer enterprise for bottlenecks.
There are direct and indirect implications of high feed costs for dry cows and heifers. Beyond the obvious purchased feed costs, there are the indirect effects of relying on purchased forages and grains and the possible short cuts on feeding with limitations on quality and quantity. Herds that have competitive costs of production usually have very efficient cropping and heifer enterprises. In today’s economy, it is no longer enough to just evaluate the whole farm. The other enterprises can make or break a dairy operation’s cost of production.
Table 1. Average dry cow and heifer feed costs for January, February, and March for 2019, 2020, and 2021
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed cost/animal | Feed cost/animal | Feed cost/animal | |
| Dry cows | $3.11 | $3.64 | $4.18 |
| Springing heifers | $2.10 | $2.47 | $2.87 |
| Heifers, 15 to 22 months | $1.74 | $2.06 | $2.42 |
| Heifers, 7 to 14 months | $1.24 | $1.35 | $1.76 |
| Heifers, 3 to 6 months | $0.88 | $0.97 | $1.20 |
Source: Dairy Sense
Economic perspective:
Monitoring must include an economic component to determine if a management strategy is working or not. For the lactating cows, income over feed cost is a good way to check that feed costs are in line for the level of milk production. Starting with July 2014’s milk price, income over feed cost was calculated using average intake and production for the last six years from the Penn State dairy herd. The ration contained 63% forage consisting of corn silage, haylage and hay. The concentrate portion included corn grain, candy meal, sugar, canola meal, roasted soybeans, Optigen and a mineral vitamin mix. All market prices were used.
Also included are the feed costs for dry cows, springing heifers, pregnant heifers, and growing heifers. The rations reflect what has been fed to these animal groups at the Penn State dairy herd. All market prices were used.
Income over feed cost using standardized rations and production data from the Penn State dairy herd.
Note: March’s Penn State milk price: $18.07/cwt; feed cost/cow: $8.16; average milk production: 84 lbs.
Feed cost/non-lactating animal/day.
Source: Penn State Extension
