While this is all somewhat complicated, what has been emphasized in the above linked articles is that the best strategy is to feed to maximize components all the time. This post contains quotes from some of the leading dairy nutritionists who are leading the efforts to properly and economically feed for components. Approximately one quarter of U.S. dairy cows are fed these diets. That means that three quarters are not. This is a great opportunity. Income can be increased by $1 per cwt. or more, and more cwt. can be produced. Financially positive results can be attained regardless of where the commodities prices go.
Tables I and II show the the positive benefit of a nutritionally balanced diet at both high and low commodity prices. While the benefit is larger when commodity prices are high (Table II), the benefits are still well positive at low commodity prices (Table I).
Table I - Benefit of a Balanced Diet at low Component Prices |
Table II - Benefit of a Balanced Diet at High Component Prices |
Brian Sloan, PhD – Global Ruminant Business Director for Adisseo -
“If care is taken to not over supply some key nutrients and if the power
of non linear optimizers in modern software programs are used, it will ensure
that revenue will increase sufficiently to provide a positive and continuing
increase in cash flow.”
Franck Gaudin - Dairy Business Director at Big Gain Feed
– “It has become difficult
to argue with new heights in milk production and tremendous components combined
with incredible gains in cow health.”
Chuck Schwab, PhD – Principal, Schwab Consulting, and
Professor Emeritus of Animal Sciences, UNH – “Dairy nutritionists that became
aggressive years ago in formulating for key nutrients to maximize milk
components have never looked back, regardless of milk prices. Their producers don’t want them to change;
they see too many side-benefits of animal performance that affect dairy herd
profitability.”
Gary Foster – “Over the last few decades of genetic
selection, dairy cow potential has advanced far faster than dairy cow
nutrition. Consequently, in many instances today’s genetics are still being fed
yesterday’s diets. Amino acids, as key nutrients, have enormous potential to
turn the genetic key and show what today’s dairy cows can really do.”
Jessica Tekippe - Ruminant Product Manager for
Ajinomoto Heartland
- “We have entered a new
era in the dairy industry. We are now going to be looking at a time when pounds
of solids will be more important than ever before due to production limitations
set by processors and the ever-increasing need for more butter and cheese in
the American diet. This makes it vital for producers to re-evaluate their
feeding strategies to ensure that they are capitalizing on all the proven
technologies they have available to help them reach higher component levels.“
Robert Patton, PhD - Owner, Nittany Dairy Nutrition, Inc. - “Research continues to show that the best nutritional strategy to increase milk protein yield is to provide sufficient energy from carbohydrate sources, and to provide adequate amounts of amino acids, particularly greater amounts of methionine. Likewise, the best strategy for producing milk with higher milk fat is to provide adequate forage NDF and to reduce levels of linoleic acid in the diet to under 400 g per day.”
Technology changes can bring amazing results. Computers and software advances used in conjunction with new scientific advances are revolutionizing all industries. The dairy industry is not different. Evolving application of new technology is a must for survival.
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