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Improve dairy margins with feed options

A University of Illinois researcher says there are now several options for dairy producers to lower their feed cost.

Dr. Mike Hutjens tells Brownfield, “Some of the by-product feeds are very economical right now.  Some of the corn by-product feeds like corn distillers grains, corn gluten feed are very, very economical right now along with soy hulls.  Even fuzzy cotton seed is modestly priced right now as well, so certainly we can bring those into the feeding program.”

Hutjens says top-quality forage remains the key to nutrition. “The new low-lignin forages keep getting a lot of interest. Brown midrib corn, low-lignin alfalfas are one way to try to get a higher quality forage along with timely cutting.”

He says producers need to test forage and supplement what’s missing, and choosing the right additives for the right price is where producers can improve margins without sacrificing productivity.

Hutjens recommends working with a nutritionist to prevent feed changes that will lower milk production because keeping that animal profitable is vital.  “I think the key though is to  maintain high levels of milk production because we know that as you get higher milk production, the profitability increases because there’s always a fixed cost to keep a cow alive every day.”

Hutjens spoke to Brownfield at the recent Professional Dairy Producers Business Conference in Madison, Wisconsin.