In order to achieve any goal in life, the first step is to believe it is possible. Perhaps your herd is averaging 26,000 or 28,000 pounds of milk. That’s nothing to shake your head at.
But what if you could go higher? If you’ve already broken the 30,000-pound mark, can you go even higher? Can you get to 40,000 pounds of milk? If you could, what would that mean to you?
A herd average of more than 30,000 pounds of milk isn’t a pipe dream. There are herds out there doing it. Of the 19,658 herds on test, reported by the four records-processing centers in the country, 221 herds have broken the 30,000-pound mark.
Whether you’re one of the elite 30,000-plus pounds herds or your goal is to break that barrier, scrutinize each area of your operation to see just where you can improve. Here is a look at some key elements to achieving the goal.
It takes a team
Conceptually, to get to 30,000 pounds, it takes attention to detail. But it also includes creating a team on a dairy. When I say creating a team, I don’t mean just talking about a team but living it each and every day.
Too often, I see owners and managers talk about a “team approach,” but they really aren’t sure how to implement it.
When an operation is living and breathing a team approach, you can actually feel it when you walk onto the operation – it becomes palpable. While there is tremendous pride from everyone involved in the operation, there are no egos.
Living and breathing a team approach is an essential element in taking a herd to the next level.
New technologies
Investing in and implementing new technologies can be an important part of moving the milk production needle. Continuously evaluate what new technologies are available. Challenge your veterinarian, nutritionists and consultants to bring new technologies to the table.
Next level of nutrition
Capitalize on your nutrition program. Focus not just on the math of nutrition, but also on the biological significance of nutrients.
For example, improvements in reproduction are seen when specific fatty acids are fed during the dry and transition periods, followed by feeding omega-3 fatty acids in the lactating period.
Push the ration. Not only balance the diet for amino acids, but push for more than 200 grams of met Lys and more than 65 grams of methionine.
Cow comfort is where it’s at
There are certain things that you absolutely have to do right, and cow comfort is one of those. Evaluate your operation and ask questions.
What can you do to make your cows more comfortable? What happens if stocking densities are reduced from 120 percent to 100 percent?
Whatever you can do to fine-tune cow comfort can likely improve milk production and bottom-line potential.
Fresh cows must hit their peak
Fresh cows set the pace for the entire herd, and the first 60 days post-calving define a cow’s lactation. Therefore, in order for the herd to hit its production goals, the fresh cow program must be dialed in.
It’s not just about reducing metabolics, either; it’s about utilizing technology to drive production for fresh cows. This has become an area of stagnation for many operations, as they define success in transition only as a function of number of metabolics recorded.
Redefine success and ask the question: How much milk are we leaving on the table with our current strategy? What is truly possible?
In order for a herd to achieve 30,000 pounds of milk, the fresh cows need to peak at slightly more than 110 pounds assuming a herd with 35 percent heifers. Or, mature cows would have to be about 116 to 117 pounds and heifers 104 to 105 pounds.
If heifers underperform, then cows have to pick up the slack, which shows the importance of the first 24 months of a milking cow’s life.
To achieve 35,000 pounds of milk, they would need to peak at 132 pounds for mature cows and 121 pounds for heifers.
Right reproduction
If your reproduction program is tuned in, pregnancy rates should be in the high 20s, if not right at 30 percent.
Take a close look at your records and evaluate how many days it takes to catch cows that aren’t pregnant. If cows are caught on the next 21-day heat cycle, the herd should be on track to achieve higher pregnancy rates. But if it takes 40 days before cows are caught and re-synched, there is work to be done.
Herds with excellent reproduction programs are presenting animals to your nutritionist that can make a lot of milk. A high-producing herd is no excuse for poor reproduction.
Invest in your calves
Everything begins at birth. You cannot achieve more than 30,000 pounds of milk without a strong focus on young animals.
Make the decision
There is a human side to all of this. You have to make a conscious decision that this is what you want, and you will make it happen. Then align yourself with advisers whose own mindsets and perception of risks don’t get in the way of yours.
Figure out how to remove the barriers to achieving 30,000-plus pounds of milk, and then redefine what success looks like for your operation. PD
References omitted due to space but are available upon request. Click here to email an editor.
Martha Baker
Dairy Nutrition Specialist
Purina Animal Nutrition
