TECHNOLOGY 68 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2025 “Some feed management software enables data storage in the cloud, which offers an additional layer of flexibility to the system. Now information can be shared and easily accessed from literally anywhere. Farmers, consultants and veterinarians can review real-time feeding data, offering guidance and decision-making support without needing to be on-site.” Feeding a modern dairy herd is no small feat. On any given day, the average operation feeds upwards of 2,000 cows, twice daily. If the average high-producing cow eats 120 pounds of feed per day, that’s 120 tons of feed that must be mixed and fed every day. And that’s only one part of it – there’s also multiple rations that need to be mixed for different groups, feeding schedules to follow and not to mention all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into sourcing the feed and making sure there’s adequate inventory. Feeding a modern dairy herd is complex and requires more than a notebook and pen or relying on memory to manage. Robust feed management software is a must to keep everything running smoothly so cows get fed the same ration, mixed properly, and delivered at the same time every day to maintain good health and productivity. IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS When managing something so pivotal to the success of a dairy operation, details matter. Even small fluctuations in a feeding program can have a big impact. For example, a feeder may only be off by 50 or 100 pounds per mix, but that compounds over time and by the end of the week that slight variation throws off inventory projections. Thankfully, there are tools available to help producers spot and fix mixing errors. Feed management software from providers like VAS gives producers the data they need to train feeders more effectively; hone feeding practices and reinforce the importance of precision. In fact, one 1,100cow dairy saved $10,000 per month on corn alone by tracking feed usage with their feed management software, dropping from five loads of ground corn to four. How feed management software simplifies ration mixing and delivery: • Reveals and minimizes mixing mistakes to maintain accurate feed inventories, • Guides feeders through ingredient selection in real-time, ensuring proper order and volume, • Monitors the time that rations are dropped in POWER PEAK PERFORMANCE WITH SMARTER FEED MANAGEMENT Yianna Rhodes Product Manager - Feed Operations VAS
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