Feeding is one of the largest cost items on a dairy farm. That is precisely why it pays to look critically at your ration and to strategically steer on yield. Small adjustments in your feeding strategy can make a big difference.
Feed profit provides insight into what you have left per cow, per day at the bottom line. High feed profit requires a sharp eye on the technical results and on your purchasing policy. Below we share four practical tips to take steps in this direction today.
1. Add minerals through company-specific concentrates
Dosing minerals via a company-specific concentrate mixture offers several advantages. By mixing minerals, trace elements and vitamins directly, you can dose much more precisely based on the needs of your herd. This prevents unnecessary shortages or surpluses in your complete ration and often makes additional products in bags unnecessary. You also save time, because manual additions are no longer necessary. The result: a more accurate ration, less labour and lower feed costs.
2. Work with simple raw materials
Single raw materials can reduce your feed costs, provided you use them in the right way. This requires a systematic approach and a sharp insight into the market. When purchasing, pay close attention to the right product, the right delivery method and a suitable order volume. Timing is also crucial: by spreading it cleverly over the year, you can avoid premium months. With our strategic purchasing model get a grip on those market movements.
3. Use by-products wisely
By-products can reduce the cost price of your ration and contribute to a lower environmental impact. But only use them if they fit within the needs of your herd. Therefore, always assess the nutritional value and role of the by-product within the total ration. Also look at availability and shelf life. This way you keep the ration in balance and you make maximum use of the financial advantage.
4. Feed raw materials via the milking robot
An innovative approach that is increasingly being followed: feeding loose raw materials, such as soya, via the milking robot. This offers clear opportunities, especially with protein components. Soya is often already part of the basic ration. By offering this via the robot, you provide all animals with part of their protein needs and prevent old milk, low-productive animals from taking unnecessary concentrates. This makes your feed package more targeted and reduces costs.
At Vitalvé, we have been committed to helping livestock farmers improve their barn results every day since 2017. Always with the aim of achieving the highest return, based on strong technical results and healthy animals. Our vision on feed profit central. More and more often we see that a higher feed profit is not only the result of technical optimization, but also of smart choices on the purchasing side. Curious what this can mean for your company? Our advisors We are happy to think along with you.