Dairy farmers generally purchase compound cattle feed from the market which is cheap with the perception that it would reduce the cost of milk production. Is it true or vice versa?
Undoubtedly, the price of the purchased feed or concentrate is higher. But in order to save money, the farmer needs nutritional information for regulating the ratio with the appropriate quality and minimum price.
As the production increases, feeding a nutrient-rich diet becomes economical. This could be one of the reasons why state like Punjab(India) is a dairy developed and advanced state, whilst other states relying heavily on cereal by-products, de-oiled rice bran and cheaper compound feeds etc. are witnessing poor milk performance, although the latter does represent a low input rearing.
A typical way of measuring this is to monitor Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC). If the additional income due to increased milk output is better for one feed than another, then the more profitable feed should be fed. Other factors should also be considered, such as the equipment needed to store and deliver the purchased feed to the cows and the labor required to feed different products. Differences in prices of feeds paid by the farmer need to be evaluated carefully so ensure that a higher priced feed is better economically in terms of income over feed cost.
A high quality ration is economical only if it is formulated and prepared by the user himself. There are many ready-made products available in the market at somewhat cheaper rates but they fail to fulfill the requirements of highly productive dairy cattle.
Depending on the season of production and on the monitoring of feed intake and how much milk production are you getting from this amount and quality of Feed.
Hi, Feeding cost about from 60 to 70 % of the total cost. Therefore it is important to use cheaper ration and high feeding not economic for dairy cows
Greetings sir
As per my knowledge in ruminats providing high quality protein is not economical as microbes break down the protein and synthesize microbial protein. Hence the quality of protein is having less importance in dairy husbandry. And the protein is the expensive source in the feed. Hence providing balance feed with all cheaper ingredients is the best possible approach.rectify if wrong. Plz
Thanks and regards
Partha
Greetings sir
Each food has its composition and nutritional contribution. There is no mathematical equation type y = food * constant * cost. If the livestock producer confuses cheap food with cheap nutritional balance, it's in trouble.
Regards
Dairy cows need to consume roughage in great abundance in their diet. Fresh fodder crops/plants from the pasture and hay should be the major component of their diet. Other considerations include items as Ali Saeed has mentioned in his answer to this question.
Feeding differs among countries, but some principles apply. For dairy cows, high quality forage combined with an affordable energy source along with sufficient rate-limiting minerals and vitamins is the most efficient diet. A compound feed can meet energy, mineral and vitamin needs, but the compound feed must be balanced and affordable. This often depends on prices farmers are paid for their milk and cost of their feeds. Income over feed cost is the best way to measure this, but this formula means that one has to know the cost of the forage as well as the compound feed. In the USA, feed cost typically represents 45 to 60% of the cost of production, primarily because our higher production per cow dilutes cost of maintaining the cow. Our current average annual yield per dairy cow is about 11,000 kg.
Jack Haiden Britt agreed with your answer. Income over the feed cost is the best way to measure. However, Animal feed energy sources always play a substantial role in feeding management.
We can know economy or not by know the price of components of ration in the country of animals breeding, then we can know milk yeid economy or not.
If animal is getting fresh green fodder, least cost ration may help to reduce the cost of feeding
Yes, logically there are techniques like cutting the forage, and this has a cost, the balance should be personalized.
Generally, there is a rule in animal husbandry (Animal production system) says:
Low input ( type of breed + feeds + etc) = Low output ( milk , daily gain , etc. especially in quantity).
There should not be any compromise with the quality of ration fed to dairy animals. The ration should be balanced and of good quality. It will lead to higher productivity, hence more total income. Cost cutting, should be the secondary tool. Better dairy farm management can help in curtailing the unit cost of production.
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