It’s time; it’s time for an intervention – no, not with that crazy nephew that makes a few too many visits to Colorado – a genetic intervention.

“What are the cows telling you?” This is the first question consultants often ask after a major ration change. This might be the inclusion of a new commodity, changing forages, new high-moisture corn or the addition of a new additive.

Track stars that run the 100-meter dash know that getting out of the blocks, accelerating quickly and maintaining speed as long as possible are the keys to winning. We expect the same from our dairy cows. Stumbling out of the blocks in the fresh pen is going to hold them back for the entire race. Without a quick and clean start, they will never reach their potential.

Have you heard of anyone rushing in to become a custom heifer raiser? Didn’t think so. Custom heifer raisers and dairy producers with replacements know there is little wiggle room in heifer raising for profit. Higher milk prices generally don’t help the enterprise. There isn’t a lot of room for improved efficiency on well-run operations.