The Latest News from Nobis Agri Science

Nobis Agri Science is dedicated to providing the best, most progressive services in the agricultural industry. From dairy cow feed manufacturing and ruminant nutrition to nutritional consulting and forage sampling, our team seeks to expand their knowledge through continuous learning and ongoing training. To learn more about our team, our mission and our pursuit to provide the industry’s best bulk cow feed, view our news articles below.

5 Reasons Producers Are Financially Better Positioned Now Compared to 2014

History likes to repeat itself. Prior to last year, the last time milk prices were great was in 2014 and we all know what followed—lackluster milk prices that challenged producers. Learning from previous financial hardships, Curtis Gerrits, a senior dairy leading specialist with Compeer Financial, outlines five points explaining why dairy producers are better positioned today vs. 2014.

Five Tips for Reining in Feed Costs

Waning milk prices, persistently high feed costs, and spotty feed inventories appear to be the emerging financial story of the 2023 U.S. dairy industry. The delicate dance between preserving production and attempting to curb input costs will remain a challenge this year. Visalia, Calif.-based VAS offers these tips to trim dairy feed bills in the current economic…

The factors that help Deluur Dairy excel at transition cow care

Deluur Dairy invested in a new transition cow facility in 2018 and placed top priority on the health and performance of both the cow and its calf. A quiet space, room to rest, and cow-friendly attention to detail enhanced animal wellness and performance. Nobis Agri Science is happy to partner with great farms like Deluur…
Hay Mowing Equipment

What is the correct harvest window for optimum alfalfa quality?

Good quality forage is essential for profitable milk production. The most important factor affecting alfalfa quality is maturity at harvest. As alfalfa matures, digestibility decreases and fiber (NDF) content increases. Harvesting at the optimal maturity can be a challenge especially for first cutting when spring weather is not cooperative. Harvesting late affects the feeding value of alfalfa, but harvesting too early can result in lower yields and reduced stand life.

Focus on feed hygiene for resilient cows

Steps to help minimize feed contamination on-farm and improve feed hygiene to limit a cow’s exposure to pathogens and toxins.

Create a team that works together to accomplish your goals

Intentional leadership and helping employees understand what is expected of them, why they must do things a certain way and where this job will take them in the future can assist in achieving the goals set for your dairy.

Silage

The Doctor’s script for sluggish corn silage

If your 2022 silage is feeding sluggish, make sure you have a solid handle on its nutritional value and variation. Sluggish feeding value could be due to lower-than-average quality or highly variable nutritional value from week to week.

Chopper and Truck

2022 Corn Silage Summary

Corn silage is typically included at higher levels in a lactating cow diet. It can contribute significant amounts of digestible fiber, starch, and peNDF, as well as protein and fat. Most variability is observed in the fiber and starch levels and digestibility, which impacts dry matter intake, milk yield, and components. Corn silage data compiled from Rock River Laboratory for the West (W), Midwest (MW), and East (E)US regions is summarized below.

Dairy Barn

Progression, not perfection, makes us- and our cows- happy

I had the recent opportunity to team up with a milk cooperative adviser to provide assistance to a member farm. As I finished up and returned home, I sent a short text thanking her for the support. She followed up with a reply that said “Progress, not perfection, makes me happy.”

I’ve ruminated on that phrase lately, and it carries a lot of truth. Dairy farm life is full of daily, weekly, and yearly challenges. Often, these challenges are out of our immediate control.

Mark E. Fox D.V.M

Milk Truck

Dairy Profits Improve in Michigan’s Milk Shed

Balance sheets are showing that dairy farms made a profit in the first half of 2022 after the tumultuous COVID-19 years. Those positive cash flows were buoyed by the combination of high milk prices and feed supplies either grown or booked during a period with lower prices. Certainly, those margins will shrink as milk prices…

The Little Things Add Up Profitable Dairy Management

If you are managing your dairy herd solely from the farm’s financial statements, you may be missing opportunities to maximize profitability.

“Dairy farm finances come as a result of managing the biology of the dairy cow well,” explains Mike Lormore, head of U.S. cattle technical services for Zoetis. “That doesn’t mean you don’t need to have a good financial plan. In today’s market, you absolutely need to understand how to use risk management tools. Ultimately, your financial outcome is going to be the result of the performance of your herd.”

Put a True Value on Corn Silage

When corn silage is grown to be sold, it is understandable that an agreed-upon price is essential. However, putting a value on corn silage, even when it never leaves the farm is also necessary. Independent business financial consultant, Gary Sipiorski, says that most farms do not put any kind of a cost on planting corn for silage or alfalfa for hay – and they really ought to.

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P.O. Box 394
Plainwell, MI 49080