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Questions and Answers
A preventive health-care program in dairy farming aims for high genetic culling.
A preventive health-care program in dairy farming aims for high genetic culling.
False
Successful dairy farming does not require a stable marketing privilege.
Successful dairy farming does not require a stable marketing privilege.
False
High-quality milk is best obtained through damaging milking processes.
High-quality milk is best obtained through damaging milking processes.
False
The size of the herd doesn't influence overall herd management practices.
The size of the herd doesn't influence overall herd management practices.
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Financial planning is not essential for establishing a dairy enterprise.
Financial planning is not essential for establishing a dairy enterprise.
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Choosing the right breed of cows can impact the production level in dairy farming.
Choosing the right breed of cows can impact the production level in dairy farming.
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Personal satisfaction from dairy farming is considered an irrelevant goal.
Personal satisfaction from dairy farming is considered an irrelevant goal.
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A successful dairy manager should possess perseverance and an ability to make personal sacrifices.
A successful dairy manager should possess perseverance and an ability to make personal sacrifices.
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The interest rate on borrowed capital is less important than the potential earning power of that capital.
The interest rate on borrowed capital is less important than the potential earning power of that capital.
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Proper investment priorities become irrelevant when capital is limited.
Proper investment priorities become irrelevant when capital is limited.
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High-producing cows can significantly increase profitability in dairy operations.
High-producing cows can significantly increase profitability in dairy operations.
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Renting land resources is always a safe and reliable option for a dairy operation.
Renting land resources is always a safe and reliable option for a dairy operation.
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Larger initial investments for land and machinery are required when raising most of the forage needed.
Larger initial investments for land and machinery are required when raising most of the forage needed.
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Negotiating for favorable repayment conditions is not necessary in a sound financial plan for dairy businesses.
Negotiating for favorable repayment conditions is not necessary in a sound financial plan for dairy businesses.
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Using purchased feed allows more time to focus on acquiring herd-management skills.
Using purchased feed allows more time to focus on acquiring herd-management skills.
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Soil fertility does not have a significant impact on the yield and quality of forage produced.
Soil fertility does not have a significant impact on the yield and quality of forage produced.
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Increasing milk production per cow is one strategy to enhance income in dairy farming.
Increasing milk production per cow is one strategy to enhance income in dairy farming.
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Most dairy farms invest less than 20% of their income on feed expenses.
Most dairy farms invest less than 20% of their income on feed expenses.
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Employing a rigid culling program helps maintain the profitability of a dairy herd.
Employing a rigid culling program helps maintain the profitability of a dairy herd.
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Dairy farms typically rely solely on the sale of milk for their gross income.
Dairy farms typically rely solely on the sale of milk for their gross income.
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Implementing a feeding program with high-quality forage can help reduce overall production expenses.
Implementing a feeding program with high-quality forage can help reduce overall production expenses.
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A replacement program is not necessary if herd genetics have already been established.
A replacement program is not necessary if herd genetics have already been established.
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Marketing strategies for dairy products have little impact on future milk prices.
Marketing strategies for dairy products have little impact on future milk prices.
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A breeding program can enhance the genetic ability of cattle for high performance.
A breeding program can enhance the genetic ability of cattle for high performance.
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Study Notes
Dairy Industry and Essentials of Establishing a Profitable Dairy Farm
- Milk is the physiological secretion from the mammary glands of mammals.
- Dairy cows are often called "milk factories" or "milk-making machines".
- Dairy cows must be milked at regular intervals (two or three times per day, seven days per week).
- Dairy cows are ruminants, meaning they can efficiently convert feed protein and energy.
- They have the ability to consume large amounts of forages (roughages) as much as 70% of their total feed intake.
- They digest these materials using their rumen and by chewing the cud to produce nutritious milk.
- Dairy cows are highly productive, given the title "Foster mother of the human race".
- A Holstein cow produced 34,175 kg of milk, 880 kg of butter fat, and 855 kg of protein in 365 days.
- Dairy cows are polyestrus, meaning they come into heat (estrus) each approximately 21 days throughout the year.
- Calves are possible at any time of the year.
- Typically, a cow has only one calf per year due to a gestation period of 270 to 280 days.
- The average age of a dairy cow in most herds is nearly five years.
- Some cows remain in the herd over 10 years, but most cows are younger.
- Unprofitable cows are removed annually.
- Cull rates in large commercial dairy operations often exceed 30% annually.
- During each year of life, a healthy dairy cow should produce a calf and be in milk production for 305 days.
- Male calves are used for veal production or beef.
- Dairy cows are a by-product supplier of beef.
Milk and Related Products
- Milk is considered nature's most perfect food due to its high protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin content.
- Milk is nutritious, tasty, and versatile.
- Milk is a leading source of calcium.
- In diets of babies, children, teenagers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, milk plays a key role.
- Milk products include butter, cheese, powder dry milk, evaporated and condensed milk, eggnog (a milk-based drink), powdered cream, ice cream, condensed or cream cheese, yogurt, and sour cream.
Food Value of Milk (Ages 13-15)
- One quart of milk provides 82% of the daily calcium need, 63% of the daily phosphorus need, 40% of the daily protein need, 83% of the daily riboflavin need, 30% of the daily Vitamin A need, 22% of the daily thiamine need, 100% of the daily Vitamin D need, and 21% of the daily calorie need.
Dairy Farming: Advantages
- Dairying is a stable business with a steady income.
- Dairying involves steady employment year-round.
- Dairying is well-established in diversified farms.
- Labor demands are somewhat uniform throughout the year.
- Forage, the main cattle feed, can be grown on land where grain crops do not thrive.
Dairy Farming: Disadvantages
- Dairying is a demanding full-time job.
- Large investment amounts and initial capital are often required for normal operations.
- Training and experience are essential to easily making routine decisions.
- Dairy farmers must adhere to pollution and sanitation laws.
- Substitutes for dairy foods are growing, impacting future milk prices.
Characteristics of a Profitable Dairy Business
- Pays all operating expenses and interests on capital investment.
- Maintains productivity, and earns a reasonable return for the operator.
- Profit is defined as gross income minus production expenses.
Increasing Dairy Profit
- Increasing income accounts for approximately 90% of the gross income in most dairy operations.
- Income can be significantly increased by increasing milk production per cow, milking more cows, and receiving a higher price per unit of milk sold.
- Remaining gross income comes from selling bull calves, cull cows, breeding stock, and extra income enterprises.
- The largest production expense on most farms is feed costs (including both home-grown and purchased feed). Feed often accounts for 45-60% of total expenses.
- Increasing production per cow through high-quality forage intake can lower production costs.
- Other expenses include labor, buildings/equipment, taxes, interest, supplies, and livestock.
- Careful management can decrease production expenses per unit of milk produced.
- Increasing income and decreasing production costs concurrently are key.
Characteristics of a Profitable Dairy Herd
- A strong breeding program that creates cattle with high genetic potential for performance.
- A strict culling program removes unprofitable producers.
- A robust replacement program delivers adequately healthy, well-grown, high-genetic-potential replacements (ready within 25-26 months of age).
- A feeding program to maximize economical production.
- A feed-production program to maximize land resources and produce high-quality forage.
- An efficient milking program for maximum milk let-down with minimal udder damage.
- Economically sound, durable, and labor-efficient buildings and equipment.
- A preventive healthcare program reduces non-genetic culling, and improves reproductive efficiency.
- Cowmanship (interest in and concern for cattle among workers).
- A strong market position and high-quality usage.
Essentials of Establishing a Profitable Dairy Herd
- To earn a profit sufficient enough for the owner to meet family needs.
- To gain personal satisfaction and enjoyment from the occupation.
Planning a Dairy Enterprise
- Realistic estimates of resources needed to establish the desired enterprise.
- A herd management plan that leads to high and profitable production levels.
- Financial planning including realistic operating budgets to assess the financial feasibility of the plan.
Requirements for Successful Dairy Farming
- Establishing a dairy enterprise is a long-term decision, with significant changes difficult and costly.
- Requirements for success include:
- Personal Characteristics of a Successful Manager (Interest in dairying, positive and realistic attitude, high motivation, willingness to make sacrifices).
- Sources of capital (Obtaining sufficient capital).
- Type of soil, water, suitability of land for growing crops.
- Type of Feeding Program (Raising or purchasing feed).
- Facilities and equipment for housing and handling cattle.
- High-producing cows (and breed selection).
- Size of herd (measuring factors such as area, cow numbers, milk production, number of workers, owner income).
- Stable marketing privileges (best markets for milk, advantages and disadvantages of these).
- Careful management (plan all daily activities efficiently, observe overall business performance to make necessary decisions, keep sound records).
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Test your knowledge on effective dairy farming management practices with this quiz. Explore various aspects such as herd management, financial planning, and breed selection. Understand the key factors that contribute to successful dairy operations.
