Dairy farmers probably get sick of hearing the age- old advice of “you’ve got to increase production to be more profitable”. However, there isn’t a much better way to increase returns than to get more out of fixed resources. By focusing on managerial practices and keeping an eye on details, production can increase without spending a lot of variable expenses (ie. feed and supplies). Once the basic costs of animal facilities, taxes, insurance, supplies, etc. are met, increasing production per cow is the “gravy”.
Below are some things to consider for increasing milk production:
Water- Provide clean water continuously with an adequate flow rate
- Provide enough water space for your cows- 1 water fountain/20 cows or 4 inches of linear space/cow
- Develop a routine for cleaning waterers at least weekly
- Provide 2 feet of linear bunk space/cow (unless a robotic dairy)
- Do not let feed bunks go empty
- Push feed up at least six times/day
- Remove old feed daily
- Feed a balanced diet
- If on pasture, rotate and supplement as necessary
- Scrape off and discard spoiled silage in the silo before feeding
- Test feeds regularly for nutrient analyses
- Provide each cow with her own stall
- Make sure stalls have ample bedding
- Make sure stalls are comfortable - look for cows perching (indicative of uncomfortable cows)
- Clean bedding from stalls weekly or as needed
- Trim feet at least an average of 1.5 times/year
- Treat all cows with sore feet
- Provide secure footing in all walkways
- Supply adequate airflow for proper ventilation (heat abatement)
- Avoid drafts and storm penetration in the winter
- When moving cows - be calm – no yelling or hitting the cows
- Milk at either 8-hour or 12-hour intervals
- Consider milking fresh cows (
- Do not allow cows to stand in holding area for an extended period
- Fore-strip and provide pre-milking udder stimulation
- From the time of manual stimulation to application of the machine should take no more than 120 seconds
- Wear clean, disposable gloves
- Do not machine strip
- Cows should take 4-7 minutes to milk out
- Post dip
- Return cows directly to feed to avoid lying down after milking
- Abruptly stop milking to dry off
- Remove cow from proximity to milking cows
- Allow more space and wider stalls for dry cows
- Dry-treat all cows
- Feed a far-off diet
- Feed a close-up diet
- Provide fans during the Summer
- Check and record all observable heats
- Breed after 50 day volunteer waiting period (VWP)
- Make sure insemination techniques are reviewed and updated
- Use heat detection devices (markers, chalking the tail head, etc.)
- Use synchronization techniques if needed
- Consider using blood testing services to confirm pregnancies
- Vaccinate cows and heifers as necessary
- Check for internal parasites and regularly deworm if on pasture
- Establish a working relationship with a veterinarian
- Schedule regular herd health checks
- Consider using photoperiod (16 hours of light- 8 hours of darkness)
- Use diagnostic lab services for disease problems
- Utilize hardware-detection magnets on feed wagon chutes
- Groove slippery floors
- Provide restraint facilities for administering health procedures
- Feed only good quality colostrum (> 50 g/L IgG or > 22% Brix)
- Use an iodine navel dip on all calves after birth
