Soybean meal - Articles - Page 2

September DMC margin hits $8.44 per cwt

Overall U.S. average feed costs were lower and milk prices were up, pushing the milk income margin to the highest level since December 2022.

October 31, 2023

Dave Natzke

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its latest Ag Prices report on Oct. 31, including factors used to calculate September 2023 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) margins and indemnity payments.

Feeding cows during challenging milk prices

This summer there has been a notable discrepancy in milk pricing between Class III and IV. Now is the time to consider strategies for maximizing efficiency and avoiding extra feed costs.

October 16, 2023

Gabriela Maldini

Through the beginning of the fall, we continue to see this variation between milk protein and butterfat prices. Make a plan with your nutritionist and consultants to develop strategies that can and should be put in place to increase profits.

August 2023 DMC margin rises to $6.46

USDA Farm Service Agency staff are scrambling to distribute payments before potential government shutdown.

September 29, 2023

Dave Natzke

Compared to a month earlier, U.S. average feed costs were lower and milk prices were up, pushing the milk income margin up almost $3 per hundredweight from July’s historic low.

Are all your bases covered? Delivering key ingredient options

The economics, advantages, disadvantages and opportunities of questioning what and how we utilize base mixes.

September 12, 2023

Shawn Lasher, Neil Michael, and Greg Zimmerman

Some dairies across the country are using larger inclusion mixes due to lack of feed storage options. Still in other cases, some feed companies are proposing larger inclusion grain mixes to their customers.

Opportunities and challenges: Utilizing alternative feed sources

Depending on location, many byproducts and co-products can be utilized as feed ingredients for beef cattle. When utilized properly, these can provide a profitable source of animal nutrition for producers.

August 10, 2023

Stephen B. Blezinger

Over the years, cattlemen have proven resourceful in finding nutrient sources for feeding cattle. Recent challenges caused by drought, supply chain issues and conventional feed ingredient availability have only emphasized the need to recognize and potentially utilize alternative ingredient sources.

June 2023 DMC margin falls below ‘catastrophic’ floor

Despite lower feed costs, lower milk prices drove dairy producer margins to new lows.

July 28, 2023

Dave Natzke

DMC indemnity payments will surpass income margins for many dairy producers.

USDA cuts 2023 milk production forecast, Class III and all-milk price projections lowered

Milk production and price projections for 2024 follow patterns similar to 2023.

June 12, 2023

Dave Natzke

Projected beef prices continue to move higher.

Canola meal adds persistent milk yield throughout lactation

A 10-week trial shows new results for canola meal and lactation persistency.

June 1, 2023

Essi Evans and Brittany Wood

Persistency is usually considered a genetic trait. However, a new study shows that nutrition may play a larger role than originally thought.

Been there, done fat: A revisit to fat feeding and sources

A refresh on the roles of fat sources, components and combinations, and how they play into production, health and reproduction.

May 18, 2023

Stephen B. Blezinger

Every dairy includes some level of fat in the cow’s diet, whether specifically formulated in or not. While we are well acquainted with the various sources both natural and commercial, the roles that various fat sources, fat components (fatty acids) and fat combinations play in the animal, in terms of production, health and reproduction, still need a great deal of work.