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.
Product Manager – Feed Operations
VAS
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 1,100-cow 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 front of cows, volume delivered, and feed refusals so cows receive consistent nutrition day after day.
REPORTING TOOLS OFFER VALUABLE INSIGHTS
Feed management software does more than just keep feeding on track; it offers valuable insights to help producers make more informed decisions that impact the health of the herd and production efficiency.
Each dairy is unique, and customizable reports and dashboards allow producers to generate information that’s most important to their specific dairy. These reports can be quickly referenced so key personnel and consultants can keep a pulse on performance and nutrition metrics, making necessary adjustments to optimize performance.
Reports showing dry matter intake and ingredient usage are at the very base of any successful feeding program. These reports help producers and their team understand what their cows are eating and the volume of ingredients that are being fed. With this level of visibility, producers gain the power to fine-tune rations, verify ingredient usage and uncover new ways to optimize dry matter intake – capabilities that are virtually impossible without a dedicated feed management system.
Automating reports from a feed management program allows for daily updates on things like feeder performance or inventory levels. Some dairies send inventory reports with run-out dates to their feed mill, streamlining delivery. Other dairies use the reports to identify opportunities for additional feeder training and to encourage continuous improvement.
INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SOFTWARE
At its core, efficiency on the dairy is defined by how many pounds of milk can be generated per pound of feed. Another benefit of VAS’ feed management software is that it can seamlessly integrate with a farm’s herd management system, such as DairyComp, allowing them to connect feed consumption with milk production to better understand income over feed costs. This is where hidden opportunities can really start coming into focus. In some instances, producers may realize that feeding a cheaper ration will result in greater potential profit and ultimately strengthen their bottom line.
Integrating feed and herd management systems can also streamline daily workflows by seamlessly exchanging data on pen counts. This ensures the rations are automatically updated in real time, always reflecting the precise amounts that need to be mixed and delivered.
Additionally, integrating an inventory management tool like WeighComp takes it a step further by tracking when commodities are coming into storage facilities, when it leaves and how it was used on the farm – enabling transparency and more proactive feed management.
EASILY ACCESS FEED DATA FROM ANYWHERE
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.
With the sheer volume of feed processed each day on a dairy, and the mountains of data available, it takes more than a pen and paper to stay current. A good feed management system simplifies the process, saves money, empowers your team and helps ensure cows get the nutrition they need – every single day.
