I recently got a phone call from a nearby dairyman, “Joe,” inquiring if I would give him a second opinion on his rations.

The use of feed additives in livestock diets is part of many nutritional strategies to help optimize performance, health and the well-being of animals.

Last fall, when cottonseed prices kept shooting higher, dairy producers were pulling the ingredient out of their rations or reducing their inclusion rates. However, prices have since come back down to the same price as seen last spring in 2022.

Heat stress occurs when an animal generates and absorbs more heat than it can dissipate through respiration, sweating or active cooling. Rumination generates large amounts of heat, so when a cow is hot, her first response is typically to eat less feed.

Strategically grouping cows on the farm can result in efficiencies and benefits. For instance, it can lead to improved cow health, increased production, reduced incidences of metabolic disorders and increased income over feed costs while also offering more efficient nutrient utilization across cow groups, thanks to the implementation of separate rations.

In today’s economic environment of high commodity prices and extreme input costs, producers must look for ways to get the most from their herd. Feeding a balanced ration during peak lactation can maximize milk production and your ROI.