Thoughts On Feed Efficiency From PEG’s Director of Forage and Nutrition
Dependable forage is a critical need for Dairy farmers. For many, the future of their farm depends on the seed they buy today. Andy Bohnhoff (DVM), Prairie Estates Genetics’ Director of Forage and Nutrition, helps our dairy farmers with feed efficiency. A nutritionist’s job is to ensure the cows produce the most milk as efficiently as possible. The metric that correlates this most accurately is Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC). To maximize IOFC, the rumen must be healthy so the rumen bugs can efficiently turn fiber into milk. The nutritionist must create a diet that accomplishes that goal.
Inefficiencies in Forage Management
Improper Forage Management can leave an operation vulnerable to huge inefficiencies. Spoiled or compromised feed will disrupt the rumen homeostasis and cause significant losses to feed inventory. For example, a farm that does not cover a feed pile before a big rain event can cause 10% feed spoilage. The farm loses that feed and must pay for the labor to remove the spoiled feed, and cows will lose rumen efficiency and production. Not to mention a few sick cows that need to be culled.
The rumen likes consistency, digestible fiber, and high-quality fermentable starch. PEG corn silage is proven to consistently test the highest for starch % and fermentability along with fiber digestibility. It’s the ideal recipe for creating rumen efficiency.
Prairie Estates Genetics helps you grow more digestible, nutrient-dense forage that maximizes feed efficiency.
Measuring Feed Efficiency
IOFC calculated as the milk income minus the diet cost per head measures efficiency the best. Another metric called Feed Efficiency is milk lbs. divided by feed lbs. per cow. This metric doesn’t proportionally reflect marginal milk or that the cows produce more efficiently as production increases as the IOFC metric does.
PEG’s feed-efficient forage solutions have enabled hundreds of dairy farmers across the country to maximize their milk yields, minimize herd health problems, and secure their farm’s future. Talk with a PEG Forage Manager or Nutritionist about your dairy farm’s forage program. 608-438-0349 | info@prairieestatesgenetics.com
Prairie Estates Genetics Nutritionist
Dr. Andrew (Andy) G. Bohnhoff,
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)