Animal and agronomic research has provided many tools and practices over the past decades that have assisted producers in doing their job better and easier. A direct transfer of the results to real world does not always equate to the same positive results. It is easy to get caught up on the potential benefits conveyed from research in either increased milk production, improved health, higher crop yields, better fiber digestibility and the list could go on. There are several key factors that come into play when determining how much a farm may benefit from a new product or management practice.
Production Perspective
The words research and control are synonymous. In animal research best management practices are implemented. Typically animal research projects are conducted using greater than lactation one animals that are similar days in milk; dry matter intake is monitored daily; many people (students) are feeding and handling the animals; feed and forage quality is consistent; and projects are limited in their duration (i.e. 3 months). Almost all of these conditions do not happen on a real dairy operation. Even when on-farm trials are conducted they utilize very well managed farms and are closely monitoring performance to pick up differences.
Agronomic research is conducted using plots that are usually on small acreage. Depending on what is being evaluated best management practices are implemented to control weeds and pests. However, agronomic research is at the mercy of weather conditions and thus can have a significant effect on the outcome. Extrapolating results relies heavily on the correct equipment being used, soil conditions, soil types, temperature, moisture, and application of fertilizer and chemicals. It is not surprising that incorporating research practices may not transfer directly to the farm’s operation without some adjustments.
A positive research result does not equate to a financial positive. Historically the one main component missing from animal and agronomic research is the economic component. Recently researchers have begun examining income over feed cost affects between treatments or partial budgets for various cropping strategies. However, the bottom line is there are interactions at the farm level that only a whole farm analysis can detect. This is the best approach for realizing the benefits (or not) of a new product or management practice. This is the missing link when transferring research to real world application.
Poor management will trump positive results with any new product, additive, or practice most every time. If a dairy operation does not have a solid foundation regarding forage quality, cow comfort, and best management practices then the product or practice being utilized may not be able to overcome those obstacles. To truly observe the benefits cows and crops should be monitored to document that the desired outcome is really occurring. Based on the dairy’s breakeven cost of production, how is the product or practice measuring up? Rarely is there any follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of the new practice or product. Also, an immediate response does not always occur, in some cases the benefits are realized over a certain period of time. Depending on the farm’s situation it may be necessary to make adjustments in protocols to reap the true effectiveness of the product or practice.
The bottom line is not every research result will work on every farm operation. Make sure good management practices are in place, monitor the animals or crops to demonstrate the product or practice is working and evaluate the effects to the cash flow plan.
Action plan for incorporating a new product or management practice
Goals
Evaluate the potential benefits of any new product or practice on the cash flow plan before making a decision.
Steps
- Step 1: Investigate the research by discussing the pros and cons with the advisory team and by talking with other producers who have utilized the product or practice. Search the internet for information and reviews on how they have worked.
- Step 2: Examine a budget, such as a partial budget, to evaluate if the product or practice makes economic sense for the operation. Account for intangibles such as improved time management or animal well-being.
- Step 3: Once the decision has been made to try the product or practice, develop a plan for monitoring the cows or crops to determine its effectiveness. Make sure to document animal or crop performance prior to implementing the change.
- Step 4: Allow several weeks or months to document results.
- Step 5: At the 3 month and 6 month time point, evaluate the effects on the cash flow plan and the impact to the farm’s breakeven cost of production.
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 costs is a good way to check that feed costs are in line for the level of milk production. Starting with July’s milk price, income over feed costs 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 (Alltech product) 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: October’s Penn State milk price: $17.07/cwt; feed cost/cow: $5.76; average milk production: 81 lbs.
Feed cost/non-lactating animal/day.
Source: PennState Extension
