DHI PROFIT TEMPLATE
DHI Profit Template$
by J Faust & R Knapp
INTRODUCTION
DHI records don't cost, they pay! The average dairy producer spends
roughly 1.5% of the total cost of producing milk on DHI records.
Based on a 1987 Wisconsin survey, any one of the following can
justify the cost of keeping DHI records:
* A milk production increase of 1/2 lbs/cow/day
* Feed cost savings of 3 lbs/cow/day the last 90 days of
lactation
* A reduction in calving interval of 5.5 days/cow
* A reduction in age of 1st freshening by 1.7 months
* A reduction in SCC to earn a premium
Use the DHI Profit Evaluator and your DHI records to help find
hidden sources of profit. Focus management attention on those areas
where profit potential is greatest. Also look to improving those
areas where quick returns can be made. Generally speaking the time
frame for dollars to return to the business for the feeding and
udder health area is measured in weeks; while the reproductive and
heifer area is measured in months; and genetics years. What is your
herd profit potential?
DHI records are valuable tools in monitoring both herd and
management performance. Think of them as monthly report cards. DHI
records tell the dairy producer where the herd has been, where it
is today and where it is going tomorrow. DHI records are also
valuable troubleshooting tools. Interpretation and analysis of key
values can identify weaknesses or problem areas for dairy produces
to focus on in order to strengthen performance. However, the Herd
Summary report contains over 500 individual pieces of information
that are open for review.
The DHI Profit Template$ are paper jigs that simply lay over the
Herd Summary. They were developed to help dairy producers interpret
and analyze key performance measures. The templates provide dairy
producers with Achievable Goals or industry standards to compare
herd performance against. Management Factors identify overall
management areas affecting herd performance; while Action Steps
provide dairy producers with specific tasks to do, to correct below
normal performance.
The DHI Herd Profit Worksheet is useful in doing a complete herd
analysis. Use it to compare your herds performance to Achievable
Goals. Use it to also set new herd performance goals and to
formulate your action plan. Remember that it is important to set
realistic goals and that unless management changes are fully
carried out profit position can not and will not change!
To use the templates:
1. Begin your search for profit with the Herd Overview template.
Simply lay it over your Herd Summary report.
2. Read what each value means and measures.
3. Compare your test day results to the Achievable Goals. If herd
performance is below the Achievable Goal, continue on. Each
template will direct you to 1 or more of the remaining
templates in order to complete your analysis. The template Flow
Chart shows each template, how to proceed and the
interrelationship between them. However, the sequence in which
you use each template will depend upon your particular herd
situation.
4. List each performance measure that falls below the Achievable
Goals.
5. Prioritize and write a new short term goal for each performance
measure listed.
6. Use the DHI Profit Template$ to review Management Factors and
Action Steps associated with each high priority performance
measure listed.
7. List Action Steps to do, to correct herd performance.
8. Assign responsibility and carry out Action Steps.
9. Monitor progress and begin working on lower priority measures.
***
Author: Jim Faust and Randy Knapp are Associate Professors of the
University of Wisconsin-Extension and are Agricultural Agents in
Dunn and Chippewa Counties respectfully.
DHI Profit Template$ are available from Wisconsin DHI Cooperative,
5301 Tokay Blvd, Madison, WI 53711
Figure 1;(small version, large version) Flow Chart
HERD OVERVIEW
1) HERD OVERVIEW focuses your attention on several key performance
measures associated with 5 areas of herd management. Researchers at
Minnesota found these measures to be the ones that accounted for
the major production differences between high rolling herd average
(RHA) and low (RHA) herds. Therefore, begin your search for profit
with these key performance indicators. Go to the appropriate
template(s) if your herds performance is below the Achievable
Goals.
Feeding
2) PEAK POUNDS milk reports the highest level of milk produced in
the lactation cycle. Peak milk is a key indicator of how well your
feeding program is working. Compare your herds PEAK POUNDS milk to
the Achievable Goals listed. Goals are based on DHI official breed
averages and represent a minimum level to strive for.
See MILK TRENDS, COMPONENTS, PERSISTENCY, PEAK MILK, GRAIN &
PROTEIN, FEED INTAKE, FORAGE QUALITY, FEED ECONOMICS.
Achievable Goal
Breed 1st Later
Holstein >66 >87
Jersey >44 >59
B Swiss >53 >70
Ayrshire >53 >70
Guernsey >47 >69
Peak Pounds Milk
67
99
Udder Health (26% > 4.0)
3) %> 4.0 reports the percent of the milking herd with a LINEAR SCC
above 4.0 and is a key indicator of your herds udder health. Cows
with LINEAR SCC above 4.0 have a high likelihood of being infected.
Compare your herds % >4.0 to the Achievable Goal. A value greater
than 15% indicates weakness in mastitis control, milking procedures
or cow environment. See SCC and LINEAR SCC.
Achievable Goal
less than 15% >4.0
Reproduction
4) AVG DAYS OPEN reports the average number of days between calving
and conception for cows in your herd. It is a key indicator of
reproductive performance. Compare your herds average days open to
the Achievable Goal. A larger value indicates weakness in heat
detection and/or cow fertility. See REPRODUCTION, BREEDING.
Achievable Goal
90-110 days
Avg Days Open
179
Genetics
5) USDA $VALUE reports the average PTA$ value of service sires used
in your herd. This value is a key indicator of the genetic future
of your herd. Compare your herds USDA $VALUE to the Achievable
Goal. A low dollar value means that your herds genetic merit is
slipping. See GENETICS.
Achievable Goal
> $250
USDA $VALUE
+182
Heifers
6) (AGE) at calving reports the projected average age that all
pregnant heifers will be at calving. Age at calving is a key
indicator of how well your heifer raising program is working.
Compare your herds (AGE) at calving to the Achievable Goal. A
larger value indicates feeding and/or housing problems. See
HEIFERS.
Achievable Goal
24 months
Age
26
GENETICS
1) A summary of Minnesota DHI records found PTA$ (USDA $VALUE) to
be a major contributing factor of production differences between
high rolling herd average (RHA) and low RHA Holstein herds. High
producing herds used higher PTA$ sires than lower producing herds
(Table 1). They also bred a greater portion of their heifers AI
than lower producing herds.
Table 1. Minnesota DHI RHA & PTA$ of Sires --- 1991
RHA Service Sires Later Lactation
12,486 150 41
14,588 159 47
16,691 167 54
18,793 173 60
20,896 176 66
2) The key to your herds genetic future is through the use of high
PTA$ sires. Further, the greatest return on your breeding dollar
lies with your heifers because 1)heifers are genetically better
than the next age group by at least 100 lbs milk 2)heifers have a
10% better conception rate than cows and 3)heifers contribute a
greater portion of the calves born in the herd than other genetic
groups (Graph 1,top right). These factors all contribute to shorten
generation interval and hasten genetic progress.
3) USDA $VALUE reports the average PTA$ value of sires used in your
herd for the different genetic groups. USDA $VALUE (PTA$) is an
economic index made up of the relative value of milk, fat and
protein. It ranks bulls based upon their genetic merits to
transmit dollars worth of product. USDA $VALUE should be highest
for SERVICE SIRES followed by the HEIFERS, 1STLACT and LATER LACT
genetic groups. Compare your herds USDA $VALUE to the Achievable
Goals and to the top bulls on the most recent USDA-DHIA Active Sire
Summary. PTA$ should be increasing each year as the genetic base
rises. PTA$ increase is approximately $25.00 annually with milk at
$12.00 per hundred weight.
Genetic Group Achievable Goal USDA $VALUE
Service Sires greater than $250 +183
Heifers greater than $180 +178
1st Lactation greater than $140 +147
Later Lactation greater than $80 +136
MANAGEMENT FACTORS ACTION STEPS X
Sire Selection Use high PTA$ sires;may use young
sires with high pedigree PTA$ on
20-30% of the herd _____
Animal Identification Keep complete records on each calf;
identify calf, sire and dam _____
General interval Use AI on all heifers; raise
replacements from younger animals;
breed back cows as soon as
possible _____
Selection Intensity Use highest PTA$ sires on younger
animals where conception is better;
keep replacements from best cows;
cull based on genetic merit; keep
forced culling to a minimum; keep
calf losses below 5%; calve heifers
at 24 months of age and correct
body weight _____
Calving ease Breed heifers to obtain correct
breed body weight at 24 months of
age or use calving ease sires _____
Herd Health Feed and manage dry cows properly;
detect and treat reproductive
ailments early; consult veterinarian
about a herd vaccination program _____
Figure 2;(small version, large version) Calves Born by Lactation.
HEIFERS
1. (AGE) reports the average projected age that all pregnant
heifers will be at calving. Projected age at calving is reported
in months of age and is a "quantitative" measure of your heifer
raising program. Extended (AGE) at calving reduces the number of
calves born each year and usually indicates a heifer feeding and
housing problem. Fewer heifers slows genetic progress too.
(AGE) at calving has an effect on the amount of forage needed to
feed the herd. Each months beyond 24 months requires roughly
another.5 ton of forage per heifer. On a 100 cow herd with an
(AGE) at calving of 28 months nearly 100 tons of extra forage is
needed! (50 x 4 x .5 = 100)
The total number of heifers needed to maintain a given herd size is
a function of age at calving and culling rate (Table 1). For
example, a 100 cow herd with a 34% cull rate and heifers freshening
at 28 months needs to keep 12 more heifers than a similar herd with
heifers freshening at 24 months (87-75=12)
Achievable Goal
24 months
(AGE)
26
28
2) BODY CWT reports the average weight of 1st lactation animals at
calving. Weight is reported in hundred weights (CWT). BODY CWT is
a "qualitative" measure of your heifer raising program. To reach
profitable calving weights Holstein heifers need to gain 1.7-1.8
lbs/day. Graph I shows the effect that heifer size has on milk
production. Undersized heifers also have more calving problems,
more days anestrus and longer calving intervals.
Achievable Goal
BREED BODY CWT
Holstein 13.0
Jersey 9.5
B Swiss 13.0
Ayrshire 11.5
Guernsey 11.5
BODY CWT
13.5
15.4
Table 1. Total Number Heifers Needed 100 Cow Herd (all ages)
Cull Rate Age at First Calving, Months
% 24 26 28 30 32 34
24 53 57 62 66 70 75
26 57 62 67 72 76 81
28 62 67 72 77 82 87
30 66 72 77 83 88 94
32 70 76 82 88 94 100
34 75 81 87 94 100 106
36 79 86 92 99 106 112
MGT FACTORS ACTION STEPS X
Herd Health Sanitize cows udder before calving; calve
in a draft-free pen; treat navel with 7%
iodine; calf needs 2 qts colostrum (min)
within 30 minutes after birth (4 to 6 qts
the 1st 12 hrs); sanitize milk feeding
equipment after each feeding; prevent nose
to nose contact; consult your vet about a
vaccination program _____
Calf Feeding Feed a high quality milk replacer (20% CP,
15-20% Fat, 0.25% Crude Fiber); feed a good
calf starter (18% CP, 75% TDN, 10% Crude
Fiber); wean when eating 5 lbs of starter
per day _____
Heifer Feeding Feed a balanced ration; maintain an average
daily gain of 1.8 lbs; maintain a body
condition score of 3+; supplement pasture
with hay, grain and mineral; feed an ionophore;
feed extra grain when wind chill is less
than -5 F; increase ration TDN 30% in muddy
lots _____
Environment Move calves to hutch at birth if scours is
a problem; bed and scrape to keep manure from
belly and flanks; keep roof ridge and leave
open for winter ventilation; open 1/2 of
sidewalls for summer ventilation; provide
about 18" bunk space/head _____
Grouping Group according to size; keep at least 5
groups _____
Records Ear tag or photograph at birth; record all
information; use growth chart to monitor
rate of gain _____
Parasite Control coccidiosis, insects and worms;
Control consult veterinarian _____
Figure 3;(small version, large version) Heifer Body Wt & Milk.
PEAK MILK
PEAK POUNDS MILK reports the highest level of milk produced in the
lactation cycle of 1st and later lactation animals. It is a
calculated average of the highest test day milk weights for each
respective lactation group. Peak milk is a measure of lactation
milk yield and is particularly influenced by the feeding program.
While most lactation curves look much the same (Figure 1), it is
the height (peak) of the curve that determines lactation yield.
Each additional pound of peak milk will yield an additional 220
pounds over the lactation. Peak milk usually occurs 60 to 80 days
after calving. Typically, better producing herds tend to peak
somewhat later than lower producing herds.
A sound nutritional program will minimize negative energy balance
in early lactation, extending body weight loss over a longer time
period (Line 1) thus allowing the cow to peak higher. If body
reserves are lost early in lactation, usually due to underfeeding,
maximum peak yield will not be reached and therefore days to peak
will be shorter (Line 2). See the table to the right for peak milk
guidelines.
Peak Pounds Milk
1st 67
Later 99
Breed Average Genetic Potential
Breed RHA
Guernsey 12700
Jersey 12850
Ayrshire 13850
B Swiss 15900
Holstein 19000
Management Factors Action Steps X
Grain Feeding Test forage and balance; lead feed;
see GRAIN & PROTEIN _____
Forage Feed best forage to early fresh cows;
see FORAGE QUALITY _____
Protein Feeding Test forage and balance; lead feed;
get on full protein feed 1st; see
GRAIN & PROTEIN _____
Body Condition Score Calve and dry off at BCS 3+; don't
(BCS) allow to drop 1 BCS or below 2+;
add fat; have a "good" dry cow
program _____
Herd Health Consult veterinarian; begin monthly
herd checks and vaccination program _____
Dry Matter Intake See FEED INTAKE _____
Heifer Size See HEIFERS _____
Udder Health See SCC and LINEAR SCC _____
PEAK POUNDS MILK Guidelines
RHA 1ST LATER PEAK DAY
800 >33 >43 --
10000 >39 >51 --
Small Breeds 12000 >44 >59 --
Ayrshire 14000 >50 >66 56
B Swiss 16000 >55 >74 58
18000 >61 >82 61
Holstein 20000 >70 >90 64
22000 >75 >97 65
24000 >81 >104 66
26000 >87 >111 67
Figure 4;(small version, large version) Lactation Curve.
MILK COMPONENTS
1) Butterfat and protein are important milk components in pricing
milk. Milk protein is the major concern for Wisconsin dairy
producers since it greatly affects cheese yield. While it is
important to monitor fat and protein percentages, it is ultimately
the total yield of each that affects profitability. Herd genetics
plays a major role on milk components, especially protein. Little
can be done to change %PRO even though seasonal variations exist.
However, proper feeding is important in order to express genetic
potential. Maintaining test while maximizing component yield often
times becomes a difficult balancing act between fiber (forage) and
carbohydrates (grain). Significant changes in milk components are
indicators of improper forage to grain ratios.
2) TEST DAY AVERAGE %FAT and %PRO report the average % fat and %
protein of milk for cows that are milking on test day. Fat test
should not deviate significantly from breed average or your herds
historical average. Very high fat test may indicate energy
deficiency. While very low fat test signifies energy excess. A
better indicator of fat test depression is a narrowing (closer to
1) of the protein to fat ratio. Calculate your herds protein to
fat ratio by dividing %PRO by %FAT. Note the Milk Component
Guidelines to the left.
% FAT % PROTEIN
3.84 3.21
3.84 3.40
4.03 3.38
3.81 3.22
4.07 3.29
4.09 3.25
3.65 3.08
4.05 3.18
3.67 3.19
3.83 3.02
3.86 3.11
3.79 3.13
3.78 3.34
3.82 3.27
3.69 3.36
3) ALL FORAGE %NDF reports the Neutral Detergent Fiber of cell
wall content of your forages and is used to estimate forage intake.
4) ALL FORAGE %ADF reports the Acid Detergent Fiber content of
forages. See FORAGE QUALITY for further discussion.
5) %NDF and %ADF are important measures because they are used to
determine proper levels of forage feeding. Rations should be
formulated to provide 28-31% NDF and 19-21% ADF in the ration dry
matter. Note the Forage Feeding Guidelines below.
Pounds of Daily Forage Dry Matter Intake
Forage % NDF
Body Weight 40 44 48 52 56 58
1000 22.5 20.5 18.8 17.3 16.1 15.0
1100 24.8 22.5 20.6 19.0 17.7 16.5
1200 27.0 24.5 22.5 20.8 19.3 18.0
1300 29.3 26.6 24.4 22.5 20.9 19.5
1400 31.5 28.6 26.3 24.2 22.5 21.0
MILK COMPONENT GUIDELINES
BREED % FAT % PROTEIN %P:%F
HOLSTEIN 3.7 3.2 .86
JERSEY 4.9 3.8 .77
B SWISS 4.1 3.6 .88
AYRSHIRE 4.0 3.4 .88
GUERNSEY 4.6 3.6 .78
PLEASE NOTE: Some sections may contain default values if you are
not reporting all information on test day. Be sure to report
breeding dates, forage test results, sire ID, etc.
MILK TRENDS
1) Today's managers need to anticipate problems rather than react
to them. Waiting for the problem to happen allows the situation to
control you. Charting milk production (trend analysis) is an early
indicator of how everyday management decisions are affecting herd
performance.
2) TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK reports the average pounds of milk
produced by cows on test day. It is the most important value for
the herd manager to monitor because 1) it is very sensitive and
quick to respond to daily management changes thereby providing
feedback, 2) it provides a snapshot of herd productivity and cash
flow capacity, and 3) following the herd trend is useful in forward
planning.
In a well managed herd, TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK should be high and
trending upward. If not, why? Is there any particular month where
production changed significantly? Does the production change occur
shortly after a change in herd management? If this value is
trending downward or is not where it should be, continue your
search by reviewing the remaining templates
MILK
73.1
63.3
58.0
55.5
54.8
61.9
55.8
53.2
70.6
71.9
75.1
78.7
70.6
69.4
73.8
3) TEST DAY AVERAGE FAT and PRO reports the average pounds of fat
and protein produced by cows on test day.
FAT PROTEIN
2.81 2.35
2.43 2.15
2.34 1.96
2.11 1.79
2.23 1.80
2.53 2.10
2.04 1.72
2.16 1.69
2.59 2.25
2.75 2.17
2.90 2.34
2.98 2.46
2.67 2.35
2.83 2.23
2.52 2.58
4) HERD AVERAGE DIM reports the number of days the average cow has
been milking. This value reflects success or problems in herd
reproduction. When analyzing monthly production trends its
valuable to wash out the long term effects of DIM.
Achievable Goal
160-180 days
Herd Avg DIM
192
5) *Herd Management Level Milk corrects TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK for
fluctuations in energy from fat and protein as well as for DIM.
The resulting value is even more sensitive to management changes.
Dairy producers should plot these values monthly in order to
quickly detect problems and monitor trends. To calculate *herd
Management Level Milk go to the worksheet below.
*Herd Management Level Milk Worksheet Your Herd
1. Multiply lbs PRO x 7.2. Enter here... _______
2. Multiply lbs FAT x 12.95. Enter here... _______
3. Multiply lbs MILK x .327. Enter here... _______
4. Add the amounts on lines 1,2 and 3. Enter here... _______
5. Subtract 150 from HERD AVE DIM. Enter here... _______
6. Multiply line 5 x lbs MILK x .0029. Enter here _______
7. Subtract line 6 from line 4. Enter here and plot _______
Herd Management Level Milk
DHI Official Breed Averages
Breed RHA HMLM
Holstein 18,764 54.0
Jersey 11,857 39.0
B Swiss 14,588 43.0
Ayrshire 14,325 41.0
Guernsey 12,863 40.0
Management Factors Action Steps X
Grain Feeding Test forage and balance ration ______
Protein Feeding Test forage and balance ration ______
Herd Health Consult veterinarian;begin
monthly herd checks ______
SCC See SCC and LINEAR SCC ______
Forages See FORAGE QUALITY ______
Feed intake See FEED INTAKE ______
Days in milk See REPRODUCTION and BREEDING ______
Ventilation Exhaust 450 CFM/cow during
summer; 50 CFM/cow during winter ______
PERSISTENCY
1) MILK EARLY, MILK MID, and MILK LATE summarizes the average
pounds of milk produced for cows and heifers in those time frames.
Averages are based on the current test and are reported for: ALL -
the milking cows; 1ST-heifers in their fist lactation and
LATER--mature cows, second lactation and over. These values are
measures of persistency and reflect both management and the animals
ability to maintain production over the lactation.
Heifers are more persistent than older cows. On average, milk
production drops 1.8 pounds per month for heifers and 4.8 pounds
per month for cows. The table above provides dairy producers with
a quick guideline for evaluating both 1ST lactation and LATER
lactation persistency.
POUNDS OF MILK GUIDELINES
EARLY (1-100) MID (101-240) LATE (241+)
RHA 1ST LATER 1ST LATER 1ST LATER
15,000 50 65 45 54 39 40
17,000 55 71 51 60 44 45
19,000 60 78 57 68 49 50
21,000 64 86 61 75 51 56
23,000 71 91 66 80 59 64
EARLY (1-100) MID (101-240 DAYS) LATE (341+DAYS)
NO MILK %LST NO MILK %LST NO MILK %LST
1ST 1 63.0 131 1 61.0 95 8 53.8 105
LATER 11 97.9 115 8 84.0 99 6 42.7 91
2) %LST EARLY, %LST MID, and %LST LATE shows the percent change in
milk production between the current test day and the last test day.
These values are additional measures of persistency. Generally,
%LST EARLY should be greater than 100 since cows are climbing the
lactation curve (Figure 1). Cows in later lactation will naturally
be less than 100 since their production is on the decline (Line 1).
Where grain feeding and/or protein feeding were not adequate in
prior test periods, %LST MID and %LST LATE may exceed 100 (Line
2). This production response indicates that the cows are returning
to their normal lactation curve and that ration shortcomings have
caught up to nutrient requirements. The difference between line 1
and line 2 represents lost milk production. Note the following
persistency guidelines for %LST:
% LST
LACT GROUP 1-100 101-240 241+
EARLY MID LATE
1ST >100 >90 >85-90
LATER >100 >85 >75-90
MANAGEMENT ACTION STEPS X
FACTORS
Grain Feeding Test forage and balance; see GRAIN &
PROTEIN _____
Protein Feeding Test forage and balance; see GRAIN &
PROTEIN _____
Body Condition Calve and dry off at BCS 3+; don't
Score (BCS) allow cows to drop 1 BCS or below 2+;
feed more grain if BCS are below normal _____
Herd Health Consult veterinarian; initiate monthly
herd checks and vaccination program _____
Days in Milk See REPRODUCTION and BREEDING _____
Dry matter See FEED INTAKE _____
intake
Figure 5;(small version, large version) Lactation Curve.
FORAGE QUALITY
1) High quality forage and milk production go hand in hand. A study
of factors that contribute to high milk production in Wisconsin DHI
herds, found forage quality to be the single most important factor.
Farmers with high production and high quality forage produce milk
with $1.00 to $1.50 lower feed costs per hundred weight than those
who don't.
2) %PRO reports the crude protein content of forages. Crude
protein is second only to energy for quantity needed by the cow
for milk production.
TEST DAY FEED Avg. Consumed Cost/ % % % %
Lbs. Cost Ton DM PRO NDF ADF
Hay 5 .30 120 82 17 42 32
Hay Silage 55 1.65 60 42 17 46 33
Corn Silage
Other Forage
Purchased Forage
All Forage (DM) 27.2 1.95 143 100 17 45 33
3) %NDF reports the Neutral Detergent Fiber or cell wall content of
forages. It is the best estimate of total fiber in forages and is
used to estimate the amount of forage cattle will eat.
4) %ADF reports the Acid Detergent Fiber content of forages. It
measures the highly undigestible part of the plant and is used to
estimate energy values.
5) These three values %PRO, %NDF and %NDF are quality measures of
forages fed and reflect timeliness of harvest as well as forage
production skills. High quality forages are characterized by high
%PRO, low %NDF and low %ADF. Below are some forage quality
guidelines that represent Achievable Goals for dairy producers:
PLEASE NOTE: TEST DAY FEED section will contain default values if
you are not reporting forage and feed test results on test day.
Contact your DHI Technician to sample forages on test day.
Forage Quality Guidelines
Forage % PRO %NDF %ADF Harvest Stage
Legume 20 40 30 mid to late bud
Small Grain 14 55 30 boot to early heading
Corn Silage 8 50 26 1/2 milkline
Sorghum/sudan 16 48 32 24" to preheading
Management Factors Action Steps X
Timely Harvest Harvest alfalfa at bud or before 6/1 _____
Cutting Frequency Cut alfalfa every 28 to 32 days _____
Soil pH Alfalfa-lime to pH 6.8 _____
Soil Fertility Soil test and apply recommended
nutrients _____
Weed Control Scout to determine specific weed
pressure; select best treatment;
control throughout rotation _____
Insect Control Scout to determine specific insect
pressure; select best treatment based
on economic thresholds _____
Varietal Selection Plant alfalfa varieties with a
disease resistance index (DRI) > 20 _____
Figure 6;(small version, large version) NDF.
FEED INTAKE
1) Dry matter intake (DMI) is an important item to monitor. Each
additional pound of intake will yield approximately 3 pounds more
milk. Intake is especially reflective of your feeding program.
Dry mater intake is basically a function of cow size and level of
production. However, a number of other factors affect it,
including forage quality, palatability, ration moisture content,
protein density, temperature, etc.
2) ALL FORAGE (DM) reports the average total pounds of forage eaten
by milking cows on a dry matter basis. A certain amount of waste
(10-15%) is usually included by most dairy producers. Weigh forage
put before the cow and what is left over to improve reporting
accuracy.
ALL FORAGE All Forage (DM) 27.2
%ADF 33 HMC (Shell) 25
%NDF 46 Grain Mix
Purchased Feed
(Non Forage)
Protein Sup 5
All Non Forage (DM) 23.3
Total/Avg (DM) 50.5
3) ALL NON-FORAGE (DM) reports the average total pounds of grain
and supplements eaten by milking cows on a dry matter basis,
including a certain amount of waste (5-8%). Weigh feeding rates
and waste monthly to improve reporting accuracy.
4) TOTAL/AVG (DM) reports the total pounds of forage and grain
eaten by milking cows including waste (8-12%). Make adjustments to
this value for waste. Then compare your adjusted TOTAL/AVG (DM)
to the dry matter intake table (top right) based on TEST DAY
AVERAGE MILK and cow body weight. Is your herds DMI reasonable?
TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK
MILK 73.1
DM INTAKE Body Weight Lbs
4% FCM 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 15000
50 39.5 40.7 41.8 43.0 44.1 45.3
55 40.8 41.9 43.1 44.2 45.2 46.5
60 42.0 43.2 44.3 45.5 46.6 47.8
65 43.3 44.4 45.6 46.7 47.9 49.0
70 44.5 45.6 46.8 48.0 49.1 50.3
75 45.7 46.9 48.0 49.2 50.4 51.5
80 48.1 49.3 50.4 51.6 52.8
85 49.4 50.5 51.7 52.8 54.0
90 51.8 52.9 54.1 55.2
Management Factors Action Steps X
Forage Feed best forages to early lactation
cows; feed a "transition" ration to
close-up dry cows _____
Protein Feeding Test forages and balance ration;
see GRAIN & PROTEIN _____
Bunk Management Clean daily; offer fresh feed 1-3
times daily; funk should not be empty
more than 1 hour before feeding _____
Forage:Grain Ratio Balance ratio to meet minimum %NDF
and %ADF levels; forage should be
fed to provide 21% of total ration
NDF; see GRAIN & PROTEIN and FORAGE
QUALITY _____
Animal Size Weigh or tape several animals and
balance ration _____
Palatability Introduce animal by-products and fats
gradually; blend unpalatable feeds
thoroughly; avoid dustiness _____
Mineral Feeding Test forages and balance ration; don't
exceed .60% phosphorous; increase calcium
to .90%-1.0% and magnesium to .30%-.35%
when feeding fat; provide adequate salt
intake _____
Ventilation Exhaust 450 CFM/cow during summer; 50
CFM/cow during winter; naturally
ventilated barns should be working to
design specs
Moisture Level Consider a buffer if total ration
moisture >50% _____
Bunk Space Provide 20"-30" bunk space/cow
depending on feeding frequency _____
Water Provide access to fresh, clean water
at all times _____
GRAIN & PROTEIN
1) Grain (energy) content of the ration should be high enough to
allow each cow to reach her genetic potential. Today's average AI
sired Holstein cow has the genetic makeup to produce roughly 19,000
lbs of milk. Typically the first limiting nutrient is energy
followed byprotein. Energy deficiency shows up as lowered
production and later on by poorer reproductive performance. Protein
deficiency, on the other hand, is signalled by reduced dry matter
intake and milk production loss later on.
2) ALL NON-FORAGE (DM) reports the pounds of grain fed on a dry
matter basis. The traditional rule of thumb was to feed 1 lb grain
for every 4 lbs milk. Depending on forage quality, this either over
fed or under fed cows at high and low levels of production. Look at
ALL NON-FORAGE, ALL FORAGE %NDF, %ADF, and TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK.
Compare these values to the Grain Feeding Guidelines to the right.
Are you challenging your cows genetic potential or is energy
limiting production?
All Non-Forage (DM) 23.3
Energy status of the herd is best monitored by routine body
condition scoring. Cows should be scoring 3+ but no higher than 4
at calving and at dry off. Cows in early lactation should not fall
more than 1 body score or below 2.0.
3) TOTAL AVG (DM) %PRO reports the average crude protein content of
the ration. Each pound of crude protein fed will result in
approximately 7 lbs of milk. Compare your rations protein level and
TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK to the Protein Requirements table below. Is
protein adequate or is it limiting production?
TEST DAY AVERAGE MILK
73.1
ALL FORAGE
%ADF 33
%NDF 46
Protein Requirements
Lactation Stage Early Mid Late
WEIGHT % BF ------lbs Milk--------
1000 5.0 >55 45 35
1300 3.5 >70 60 50
% Crude Protein 18-19 16-17 14-15
PLEASE NOTE: This section may contain default values is you are not
reporting forage and feed information on test day. Contact your DHI
Technician to sample forages.
Grain Feeding Guidelines
%NDF 40 44 48 52 56 60
%ADF 30 33 36 39 41 44
LB MILK
40 3 6 8 10 12 14
50 7 10 12 14 16 18
60 10 13 16 18 19 21
70 14 17 20 22 23 25
80 8 21 23 25 27 29
90 22 25 27 29 31 32
*Source W.T. Howard, Dairy Specialist, UW Extension
Management Factors Action Steps X
Grain Feeding Test forages and balance ration; lead
feed; consider added fat for early fresh;
feed a "transition" ration to close-up
dry cows; non-fiber carbohydrate should
make-up 35-40% of the total ration dry
matter for high producers ____
Protein Feeding Test forages and balance ration; lead
feed; get on full protein feed 1st;
undegradable protein (UIP) should make-
up 35-40%, degradable protein (DIP)
60-65% of the total protein for high
producing cows; consider a by-pass
protein with excellent quality and/or
wet legume forage ____
Body Condition Feed more grain in later lactation to
low scoring animals and/or keep on
"high" group ration longer ____
Forage Feed best forage to early fresh cows;
see FORAGE QUALITY ____
FEED ECONOMICS
1) TOTAL FEED COST PER CWT provides you with an estimate of your
feed costs per 100 pounds of milk. This value is a measure of herd
productivity and cost control. The following formula represents
the profit or loss potential of the dairy business:
Profit=(Production x Price)-Costs. Since feed accounts for 40% to
50% of the cost of producing milk it should become a high priority
item.
Achievable Goal TEST DAY RESULTS
<$4.00 $ VAL PROD $ VAL PROD LBS MILK/LB NON FORAGE
MINUS FEED
COST
$9.40 $5.89 3.14
MILK PRICE TOTAL FEED NON FORAGE FEED
PER CWT COST PER CWT COST PER CWT
$12.86 $4.80 $2.12
2) ALL FORAGE % PRO reports the average level of protein found in
your forages fed.
MANAGEMENT FACTORS ACTION STEPS X
Grain Feeding Forage test and balance ration ____
Purchased Feed Costs Buy feed based on nutrient cost/
lb; consider commodity feeds ____
Forage Quality See FORAGE QUALITY ____
Feed intake See FEED INTAKE ____
Level of Milk Production Review all templates ____
3) NON-FORAGE FEED COST/CWT shows the cost of feeding grain and
purchased supplement to produce 100 pounds of milk. It is a
measure of cost control. NON-FORAGE FEED COST/CWT lessens as forage
quality improves and/or grain prices decline. Below are some
guidelines to determine what may be an Achievable Goal for your
farm situation:
NON FORAGE FEED COSTS/CWT GUIDELINES
ALL FORAGE % PRO
RHA 14% 16% 18% 20%
14000 $1.99 $1.49 $1.14 $0.82
16000 $2.08 $1.64 $1.29 $0.98
18000 $2.16 $1.76 $1.45 $1.15
20000 $2.23 $1.87 $1.58 $1.27
22000 $2.29 $1.96 $1.70 $1.40
*From COWBUD--WT Howard, UWEX
4) LBS MILK/LB NON-FORAGE shows the pounds of milk produced per
pound of grain fed and measures feed efficiency. Feed efficiency
gets better as production increases. Forage quality also tends to
increase feed efficiency. The following table is a summary of 1900
Iowa DHI Holstein herds and shows the impact that feed efficiency
has on profitability:
Achievable Goal
3 lbs milk/lb of grain
PLEASE NOTE: Some sections may contain default values if you are
not reporting forage test results and current feed prices. Contact
your DHI Technician to sample forages on test day.
SCC/LINEAR SCC OVERVIEW
SCC and LINEAR SCC are strongly associated with mastitis and milk
loss. Because of this relationship, they are useful tools for
monitoring milk quality and udder health of the milking herd.
While SCC and Linear SCC are indicators of what is largely white
blood cell activity, their use for making herd decisions are quite
different.
SCC measures the number of somatic cells in a milliliter of milk.
SCC can range from under 10,000 to over 7 million! Each time SCC
doubles, 400 pounds of milk is lost over the lactation. This
curvilinear relationship between SCC and milk loss is shown by
graph 1.
LINEAR SCC makes SCC more user friendly by reporting it on a
scale from 0 to 9.9. Each time LINEAR SCC goes up 1 unit, milk
loss goes up by 400 pounds over the lactation. This straight line
relationship between LINEAR SCC and milk loss is shown by graph 2.
The DHI Herd Summary reports both SCC (herd weighted) and average
LINEAR SCC . LINEAR SCC and SCC are equally valuable when
evaluating test day results of individual cows. However, they are
not equal when evaluating the test day results of the herd. The
difference between the two measures has to do with the way they are
calculated. SCC (herd weighted) is calculated by multiplying each
cows test day milk production by her SCC, summing these values for
all cows in the herd and then dividing the total by the pounds of
milk produced on test day. (See example 1). Because high
producing cows with high SCCs can have a big influence on milk
quality, SCC (herd weighted) is a good tool for monitoring milk
being produced.
Example 1
Cow No Lbs Milk *SCC Linear SCC *Bulk Tank Contribution
1 71 180 3.8 12,780
2 100 720 5.8 72,000
3 54 280 4.4 15,120
4 100 95 2.9 9,500
Total 325 n.a. 16.9 109,400
SCC (weighted) = 109,400/325* 1000=336,615; Linear SCC (herd
average) = 16.9/4=4.2
LINEAR SCC (herd average), on the other hand, is a simple numerical
average. It is calculated by summing the LINEAR SCORES of each
cow and dividing by the total number of cows. (See example 1).
About half the herd will be above the average LINEAR SCC and half
below. Since it is not weighted for milk production it is the best
management tool for monitoring udder health.
Dairy producers can be misled if they use SCC (herd weighted) to
monitor udder health. SCC in example 1 is 336,615 which may not be
too alarming. However, LINEAR SCC (herd average) for the same herd
is 4.2 and does reveal a problem with mastitis! In the example herd
there is a high probability that half the of the herd is infected.
SCC/LINEAR SCC OVERVIEW DHI Profit Template$ by J Faust & R Knapp
Figure 7;(small version, large version) SCC & Lactation Milk Loss.
Figure 8;(small verison, large version) Linear SCC & Lact Milk Loss.
SCC
1) SCC-herd weighted is directly related to milk quality and is the
basis for establishing quality premiums because of its effects on
cheese yield. Since 77% of Wisconsin's milk is made into cheese
the importance of cheese yield becomes quite apparent. As SCC
increases, the amount of cheese that can be made from a hundred
pounds of milk decreases. Table 1 shows the effects that SCC has
on cheese yield per hundred weight. Nearly all manufactures pay a
premium to producers for high quality milk. A 25 cent quality
premium on a 50 cow herd with a 20,000 RHA means an additional
$2,500 yearly. Is there potential for more premiums on the milk
you sell?
Achievable Goal SCC
<200 188
436
307
345
265
232
239
274
300
301
184
253
163
145
133
2) SCC (herd weighted) is determined by multiplying each cows test
day milk production by her raw SCC, summing these values for each
cow in the herd and then dividing the total by the pounds of milk
produced by all cows. This section reports what SCC has been over
the past 12 months with the most recent test at the top.
Herd weighted SCC measures the quality of milk contained in your
bulk tank. Any spikes in SCC means a decline in quality. Look to
changes in management or environment as problem areas.
Management Factors Action Steps X
Withholding Milk Withholding milk from a high SCC cow
may be more cost effective than putting
it in the tank and losing a quality
premium ____
Dry Off Dry off high SCC cows early--may be
more cost effective than losing a
quality premium or spreading mastitis
infection ____
Bulk Tank Culture Consult you veterinarian on proper
method of bulk tank sampling; do an
antibiotic sensitivity test; discuss
results ____
Milking Order Milk cows with high SCC/LINEAR SCC
separately to reduce spread of mastitis
and stop further decline in milk
quality
Treatment Treat clinical cases of mastitis;
consult veterinarian about the
antibiotic best suited for your herd;
follow label directions ____
Figure 9;(small version, large version) Effects of SCC on Cheese.
LINEAR SCC
1) Linear SCC is directly related to udder health and level of
mastitis infection. An increasing linear score means more cows are
becoming infected with a disease organism (graph 1). An increasing
linear SCC also means declining profits due to milk loss. 70% of
the loss associated with a high linear SCC is due to reduced milk
production. Graph 2 shows the 305 day milk losses per cow due to
increasing linear SCC.
2) The UDDER HEALTH graph shows you 13 months of LINEAR SCC for 1ST
LACT (triangles) and LATER LACT cows (squares). The LINEAR SCC for
each group is a simple mathematical average. Half of the animals
will be above the average; half below. Average LINEAR SCC is
reported separately for the 2 groups because heifers (1ST LACT)
should have had less exposure to mastitis causing organisms and
therefore have lower average LINEAR SCC.
Use the UDDER HEALTH graph to monitor infection status. A rise in
average LINEAR SCC indicates that more animals have become
infected. Further, average LINEAR SCC should not get much above
the dark line across the graph (LINEAR SCC 3.0). In either case
action needs to be taken. Look to changes in management or cow
environment as problem areas.
% >4.0 (percent greater than 4.0 LINEAR SCC) is listed near the
top. This value reports the % of milking herd with a LINEAR SCC
above 4.0 on test day. Cows with a LINEAR SCC above 4.0 have a
likelihood of being infected. When % >4.0 nears the Achievable
Goal or gets above it, udder health needs immediate
attention.
Achievable Goal
LINEAR SCC <3.0
% >4.0 <15.0
MANAGEMENT FACTORS ACTION STEPS X
Cow Preparation Use individual towels; wash with
warm sanitizing solution; use
strip cup, DRY thoroughly _____
Milking Attach machine within 1 minute
after start of preparation; apply
machine gently; align properly;
use a milk flow indicator; do not
machine strip; dip teats immediately _____
Milking Equipment Check every 6 months by qualified
serviceman _____
Environment Bed daily with at least 15 lbs
straw or equivalent; provide adequate
stall space; keep stalls free of manure,
96% of cows should be clean and free
of manure; fence cows out of muddy,
wet areas; scrape free stall alleys
and lots daily; calve in a clean dry
pen _____
Treatment Treat clinical cows during lactation;
dry treat all cows; discuss specific
treatment program with veterinarian _____
Nutrition Forage test and balance ration; feed
dry cows 4-6 mg selenium and 300 IU
vitamin E daily _____
Records Maintain health records; utilize DHI
Udder Health Management Summary _____
CMT/Culture CMT fresh and clinical cows; culture,
ProStaph if needed _____
Culling Cull cows that do not respond to
treatment _____
Figure 10;(small version, large version) Linear SCC.
REPRODUCTION
1) DIM (days in milk) reports the number of days the average cow
has been milking. A high DIM may indicate reproductive problems
or a seasonal calving pattern. A higher DIM also means lower cash
flow due to lower daily milk production. The table below shows the
average daily milk loss due to excessive days in milk. A 50 cow
herd averaging 18,000 lbs of milk and 190 DIM would produce almost
350 lbs less milk per day than a similar herd averaging 150 days in
milk.
Achievable Goal Daily Loss for Each Day >150
160-180 days RHA Loss/Cow/Day
Over 16,000 .17
Under 16,000 .13
R. Hamilton, Washington State
Herd Avg DIM 192
2) DRY PERIOD AVG DAYS reports the average number of days that
cows in your herd are dry. Since the dry period is a no profit
period , days dry should be kept to a minimum. However too short
a dry period does not allow for adequate time for udder
regeneration and will result in lower production the next
lactation. Dairy producers lose $2/day for dry periods under 30
days and $3/day for dry periods over 60 days.
Achievable Goal Dry Period
45-55 days Avg Days %.39 Days %71+ Days
57 10 18
3) PROJ CALV (INTVL) reports the average number of months between
the last calving and the next expected calving for all the pregnant
cows in your herd. This value is an indicator of past reproductive
performance. Use average days open (#4 below) as your guide to
herd reproductive performance.
Calving interval = gestation length + days open. Since gestation
length is determined by the cow, dairy producers must focus
attention on days open to improve herd performance and
profitability.
Achievable Goal
12.5 months
Proj Calv Avg Days Open
Interval
14.0 139
13.1 119
4) AVG DAYS OPEN reports the average number of days between calving
and conception for cows in your herd. Days open is the most
important indicator of present reproductive efficiency. The number
of days open is the result of 1)when your cows are first bred,
2)your rate and accuracy of heat detection, 3)herd conception rate,
4) embryonic death & abortion, and 5)reproductive culling rate.
Aggressively watch and record all heats beginning right after
calving. Breed all cows the first heat after 45 days. Waiting
until day 60 is too long.
Achievable Goal
90-110 days
PLEASE NOTE: This section may contain incorrect values if you are
not reporting all breeding information on test day.
Management Factors Action Steps X
Days to 1st Breeding Aggressively watch for heats and
breed the first heat after 45 days ____
Breeding Records Maintain up to date, accurate
records on all cows ____
Calving Pattern Even out calving pattern--freshen
year around ____
Dry Period Dry cows off to achieve 45-55 day
dry period ____
Figure 11;(small version, large version) Lactation Curve.
BREEDING
1) FIRST BRD DAYS reports the average number of days from calving
to first breeding of cows in the active breeding group. The active
breeding group consists of all cows having had a reported breeding
date.
First breeding days is an indicator of whether or not breeding is
occurring in a timely fashion. Cows having had a normal calving
can be expected to show some signs of heat 15, 32 and 53 days after
calving. Waiting until 60 days to begin breeding is to late.
About 1/2 of your cows should have been bred for the first time by
45-55 days.
Achievable Goal First Breeding (Days)
less than 55 days 65 72
2) % HEATS DTCTD is a measure of your heat detection program. It
is calculated by dividing the number of heats reported by the
number of heats expected times 100. Eighty percent of your cows
should have had at least 1 true standing heat by 50 days after
calving. The portion you catch by day 50 shows how well your heat
detection system is working. Research shows that high producing
herds catch more heat than lower producing herds. Tables 1 and 2
show how frequency and time of observation influence the percent
of heats detected.
Achievable Goal
more than 80%
% Heats Detected
78 62
3) SERV PER CONC reports the average number of times cows in your
herd were reported as having been bred for each calving. The number
of services it takes to get cows bred is influenced by; 1) heat
detection accuracy 2)herd fertility 3)semen fertility and
4)breeding technique. A weakness in any one area will result in
more days open.
Achievable Goal
1.5-1.7
Ser. Per. Conc.
1.9 1.7
PLEASE NOTE: This section may contain incorrect values if you are
not reporting all breeding information.
Management Factors Action Steps X
Heat Detection Know all signs of heat; check for
heats twice daily--two 30 minute
periods; begin recording heats right
after calving _____
Breeding Cows first observed in heat in the AM
should be inseminated in the PM. Cows
first observed in heat in the PM should
be inseminated the following AM; check
breeding and semen handling
techniques _____
Environment Provide area that allows good
footing; minimize temperature stress _____
Herd Health Begin monthly health checks; consult
veterinarian concerning a vaccination
program; treat problem cows immediately;
provide proper sanitation at calving _____
Nutrition Forage test & balance ration; keep
energy at .78 Mcal in early lactation;
feed dry cows 4-6 mg selenium and 300
IU vitamin E per day; do not let body
condition scores fall below 2 _____
Heat Detection Facts
50% of all heats are missed
20% of cows bred are not in heat
Average cows' 1st heat is at day 38
80-90% are in standing heat before day 60
The average 1st heat shows 1.3 mounts/hour
The average mount lasts 7 seconds
Table 1. Heats Detected & Observation Frequency
Frequency % Detected
Dawn, Noon, Evening 86
Dawn, Evening 81
Dawn 50
Evening 42
Noon 24
Table 2. Time of Observation and Mounting Activity
Time % Mounting
6 pm - 1 am 25 68
12 pm - 6 pm 43
6 am - noon 22 32
noon - 6 pm 32
TURNOVER
1) About 35% of Wisconsin's milk cows are culled each year. Cows
are culled for two basic reasons 1) low production, called choice
culling and 2) problems such as mastitis, breeding and injury,
called forced culling. The trouble with forced culling is that
some cull cows are also very profitable cows. Reducing forced
culling by only one cow in a 100 cow herd will increase net income
by over $800 a year.
2) COWS LEAVE % reports the percent of animals leaving the herd
over the past year by lactation group and for the whole herd.
Economic models suggest the most profitable turnover rate is about
25%. However, Minnesota DHI data found that high producing herds
have much greater turnover rates than low producing herds (43%
compared to 36%). Further, the data showed that the higher turnover
rate was due exclusively to a higher heifer turnover rate. The
turnover rate was 55% greater in the high producing herds than it
was in the low producing herds (14% compared to 9%). See table 1.
The percent cows leaving the herd was virtually the same in both
high and low producing herds.
LACT GROUP COWS ENTER COWS LEAVE
NO % NO %
1ST 13 28 10 21
LATER 9 19
ALL 13 28 19 40
STATE AVG 33 33
3) Knowing why cows are culled can point to problem areas that
demand attention. Consider each animal that has left your herd and
the reason why she was culled. Next determine whether it was from
the top half of the herd or the bottom half of the herd. Use the
example worksheet below to describe your herd and compare it to the
Achievable Goals. Are you able to practice "choice" culling or are
you doing too much "forced" culling?
Achievable Goal
REASON %
REPRODUCTION 5-10%
UDDER HEALTH 5-10%
DISEASE/INJURY <5%
LOW PRODUCTION 15-35%
DEATH <4%
PLEASE NOTE: This section may contain incorrect values if you are
not reporting all needed information on test day.
Reasons Why Cows Leave my Herd
Reason No % Top 50% Bottom 50%
Reproduction ____ ____ ____ ____
Udder Health ____ ____ ____ ____
Disease/Injury ____ ____ ____ ____
Low Production ____ ____ ____ ____
Death ____ ____ ____ ____
Table 1. % Cows LEAVEing Herd--Minnesota DHI
RHA <1200 14000 16000 18000 20000 >2200
% First Lact 9 10 11 12 14 14
% Later Lact 27 29 28 29 29 28
Total % 36 39 39 41 43 42
Management Factors Action Steps X
Udder Health See LINEAR SCC ____
Breeding See BREEDING ____
Herd Health Being monthly health checks; consult
veterinarian concerning a vaccination
program ____
Environment Provide adequate stall space - 4'6"
x 5'8" large breeds, 3'- 6' x 4'-10"
small breeds; bed daily with at least
15 lbs straw equivalent; maintain free
stalls daily; turn out to exercise
twice daily; provide adequate ventilation
exhaust 450 CFM/dow during summer, 50
CFM/cow during winter; provide adequate
footing ____
%f TITLE;DHI PROFIT TEMPLATE$
%f COLLECTION;DARIY HERD IMPROVEMENT
%f ORIGIN;WISCONSIN DHI COOPERATIVE
%f DATE_INCLUDED;OCTOBER, 1993
%t DHI PROFIT TEMPLATE$