The Latest News from Nobis Agri Science

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

With near-record milk prices this spring, it certainly appears to be a good time to be a dairy producer. The long over-due market turnaround has dairy farmers across the country smiling, but financial experts advise producers to sit down and look through their profit and loss statements to truly understand the strength of their farm’s financial portfolio.

“It is taking 20% longer to get new leaders in place, with 30% higher compensation, including extra considerations such as work location, flexibility, bonuses and equity and on top of that companies have to decide 50% faster since top talent have as many as 3 offers.” David Turner of Kincannon & Reed, the leading search firm dedicated to Food & Agribusiness, recently said this on the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action podcast.

Summer is a great time to do a mid-year check on your financial and business goals.

Its suggested to do mid-year planning in June or July.  You can review the overall performance of your company, progress of your strategies, team development, and plan for a good year end.