The Texas Dairy Industry’s Feed Management Program
Feed is usually the largest expense on a dairy, so small improvements add up. Here are the basics of feed management and a plan for hosting a meeting where producers share what works.
Why does feed management matter so much?
Feed drives milk production, herd health and the bottom line. A dairy that wastes five percent of its feed loses real money every month, while a ration that fits the cows can boost output without extra cost. Every farm has room to improve.
The program named in the headline belongs to the Texas dairy industry and should be verified with its sponsor. This independent site does not run it, and figures about savings should be checked at official sources.
Walk the feed bunk at different times of day. Look at what is left, how animals sort feed and whether cows get to eat. Small observations like those often lead to the best conversations with a nutritionist.
What does a good feed program include?
It starts with forage quality, since good forage reduces the need for purchased grain. Next comes a balanced ration, designed with a nutritionist for each group of cows. Storage and handling protect what you grew or bought. Finally, record keeping tells you what is working.
Weigh and sample feeds regularly. Moisture changes can throw rations off quickly, especially for silage.
Storage deserves special mention. Silage bunkers and bags need tight packing, good covers and a clean face to avoid spoilage. Dry hay needs protection from rain, and grain bins need regular checks for moisture and pests.
- Forage testing and quality
- Rations balanced by group
- Careful storage and handling
- Records of intake and milk
How do markets enter the picture?
Feed costs move with grain and hay markets. USDA AMS publishes market reports, and USDA Dairy Market News tracks dairy prices. The Dairy Margin Coverage program relates milk prices and feed costs, so check current terms before relying on it.
A nutritionist and a lender can help you plan for swings. This is general education, not financial advice.
Do not forget purchasing. Compare quotes from several suppliers, ask about delivery terms and think about contracting part of your needs ahead of time. A lender can help you understand how a contract affects cash flow.
Where can producers find help?
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has dairy specialists, Hoard's Dairyman publishes practical articles, and Dairy MAX serves producers across the Southwest. Local feed dealers and independent nutritionists can help too.
For herd-level basics, see this dairy herd care guide.
A good independent nutritionist works for you, not a feed company. Ask how they are paid, and ask for references from dairies of your size. Many producers use more than one source of advice.
How do you host a feed meeting?
Pick a convenient time, often an evening or a rainy day. Invite a nutritionist, a forage specialist and two or three producers willing to share their experiences. Hold it somewhere with seating and a projector, and provide food. Keep talks short and leave time for questions.
For planning tips on venues, signage and volunteers, the fair and rodeo planning guide helps. Share a one-page handout of key points and contacts afterward.
Rotate the topic: one session on silage, another on commodities, another on purchasing.
Common feed mistakes
Common problems include poorly packed silage, uneven mixing, overfeeding, and ignoring spoilage. Ask your nutritionist to review mixing and feed bunk management. Do not guess about mycotoxins or quality: test.
If something seems wrong with milk or herd health, call your veterinarian.
Track your results. A simple chart of feed cost per hundredweight of milk, updated monthly, makes it easy to spot a slip. Share the chart at a meeting if you are comfortable, because others may be tracking the same number.
More to read
Over at farm.FM writers have fun with farm life and feed bills, like a farm.FM story about feed costs. See the agribusiness section and the dairy stories. When the meeting ends, collect email addresses so you can send notes, and ask each person to bring one neighbor next time.
Put a date on the calendar for the next meeting before everyone goes home. Momentum disappears fast if you wait.
Sources and further reading
- USDA AMS: marketing and market news
- USDA Dairy Market News: weekly dairy price reports
- Dairy Margin Coverage: FSA Dairy Margin Coverage program
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas extension service
- Hoard's Dairyman: dairy trade publication
- Dairy MAX: dairy promotion in the Southwest
Ask locally: Ask an independent dairy nutritionist or your county Extension agent to review your ration and forage tests.