Because you have to consider everything.
Experienced experts, the specialists at Standard Dairy Consultants understand that animal health, reproduction, herd composition, feeding behaviors, routines, local conditions and your production goals all play a role. That’s why they spend time at your dairy. Not just every now and again, but often and regularly, seeing how you work, your processes and practices, your records and results—and your operational strategies and desired outcomes. Only then will they provide you with independent recommendations and observations based on facts not quotes about feeds and supplements that make the best use of home grown and other feed ingredients, while directly addressing the issues that impact your production results.
Animal Grouping Strategies
Grouping strategies are unique to each dairy operation and depend on the preferences of the dairy producer, facility, available feeds and economics. Over-feeding low producers and under-feeding top producers can increase your cost of production and decrease your output. Make the most efficient and effective use of your feed resources for optimum milk production, if it fits your management style.
Based on your preferences, your herd history and your facilities, we can help you to determine the size and composition of the groups, according to:
Facilities
milking parlor size and the availability of barns and corrals
Grouping
dry cows, heifers and age of cows
Feeding
ability to deliver different rations to different groups of cows
Other Considerations
average days in milk and reproductive goals
Once groups have been determined, cows can be fed more precisely taking into account the makeup of each group, the nutrients required, the availability and type of homegrown feedstuffs and the production goals of each group. In doing so, you’re able to ensure they receive the nutrients required, without waste. In addition, you’re able to reduce the over excretion of nutrients.
Continued record evaluations and on-the-ground observations ensure your program is working. Because our specialist is a reliable member of your team, you’re also able to monitor results and modifications in response to any changes in performance, conditions or your operational goals.