Reducing shrink may be the difference between a dairy staying in or going out of business, according to Dr. Mike Brouk, professor and extension dairy specialist at Kansas State University.

The cost of feed is by far the main expense for a dairy operation, representing around half of the cost to produce milk on a dairy.

“The dynamic behavior of feed efficiency in primiparous dairy cattle.”Journal of Dairy Science Vol.103 No. 2, 2020. The objective of this study, done by researchers from the University of Guelph, was to integrate data collected using modern high-throughput biometrics (things like in-line bodyweight scales and body condition score cameras) to evaluate changes of early lactation feed efficiency (FE) on a daily basis.

The efficiency of converting feed to milk matters on farms because it has a major influence on farm profitability and environmental stewardship in the dairy industry. Dairy feed efficiency in North America has doubled in the past 50 years, largely as a byproduct of selecting and managing cows for increased productivity.

More milk and components from each kilogram of feed is the basis for the feed efficiency equation. In countries where production caps have not been set, this idea resonates well since maximized production most often translates to additional revenue for the dairy.

Since other feedstuffs are typically priced to reflect the corn and soybean market, the cost of almost all feed ingredients has increased. Since feed is the largest single cost in producing milk, most producers review their feeding program to see if there are ways to reduce these costs. Any changes made to rations should only occur after a thorough review of the feeding program and must take into account the impact a change could have on other aspects of the overall operation.