Latest News From Feed Costs

Five Tips for Reining in Feed Costs
Five Tips for Reining in Feed Costs

Waning milk prices, persistently high feed costs, and spotty feed inventories appear to be the emerging financial story of the 2023 U.S. dairy industry.

Feed Prices Steadier Heading into New Year
Feed Prices Steadier Heading into New Year

After some volatile stretches through the year, feed prices are posting a lower drama level as 2022 wraps up.

Could Guar be the Next Star in Dairy Rations?
Could Guar be the Next Star in Dairy Rations?

Guar is not a common crop grown in the U.S., nor is it widely used here as a livestock feedstuff. But that picture may be changing as alternative crops producers search for more affordable feed ingredients.

California_cows_at_feedbunk--Kasbargen
Feed Still Pricey but Evolving as Fall Nears

Corn and soybean values have tempered slightly since the near-historic highs of May and June this year, but dairy feed bills still will be hefty heading into fall.

$10.00 Corn in the Offing?
$10.00 Corn in the Offing?

Analysts predict the possibility of $10.00/bu. corn in the coming year is not out of the question.

Alfalfa_Hay_Swathing_Cutting_New_Kuhn_FC_Triple_Mower_Conditioner
Make the Most Out of Alfalfa’s First Cutting

It is important to know that the success of the entire production will be based on determining a proper date to cut for the highest yield and quality.

Alfalfa-Tony_Souza_4-09_001
Hay Prices Could Increase Significantly

Lower hay supplies and to potential for lower acres and lower production this year could increase hay prices significantly.

War in Ukraine Spurs Feed Shortages, Threatens European Dairy Farmers
War in Ukraine Spurs Feed Shortages, Threatens European Dairy Farmers

Feed shortages throughout southern Europe could spark intense livestock culling.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis Shakes U.S. Markets, Gas and Oil Prices Surge
Russia-Ukraine Crisis Shakes U.S. Markets, Gas and Oil Prices Surge

An oil price of $120 a ton could send the global economy into a major recession and fan inflation in the U.S., which Jim Wiesemeyer says is already in double digits for rural Americans.

Corn Yield Projections Higher, Supplies Still Tight
Corn Yield Projections Higher, Supplies Still Tight

Drought in the Midwest and crop damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida had created dampened optimism this summer about the size of this year’s U.S. corn crop.

Ration Alternatives to Balance Against Forage Shortages
Ration Alternatives to Balance Against Forage Shortages

Crafting effective lactating rations when the “ideal” ingredients are in short supply is challenging, but possible.

Feed Cost Per Cow Per Day: Today’s Critical Metric
Feed Cost Per Cow Per Day: Today’s Critical Metric

The 2021 climate of high feed costs and tepid milk prices are creating a tenuous financial scenario for most U.S. dairy farms.

Unloading grain
How Much Impact Will Higher Grain Prices Have on Milk Production?

There have been significant changes made in the dairy industry over the past 10 years which may have an impact on the effects of milk production due to high grain prices.

Corn Hits New Eight-Year Peak, Soybeans Rally on Supply Worries
Corn Hits New Eight-Year Peak, Soybeans Rally on Supply Worries

Chicago Board of Trade corn futures extended a rally on Thursday above eight-year highs as dry weather threatened harvest yields in major exporter Brazil and kept the focus on ebbing global supplies.

Corng
Corn Prices Likely to Remain Elevated

Tight stocks, strong exports, and speculation sent corn prices to eight-year high in April.

Forage Quality in Today’s Markets
Forage Quality in Today’s Markets

Do not bet the farm on speculative options to lower feed cost. In 2021, double-down on forage quality.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Lowering Feed Costs
The Do’s and Don’ts of Lowering Feed Costs

Do your homework for a true sense of reality.

With milk prices predicted to remain extremely volatile during the first few months of 2021, producers are anxious to know what to expect when the feed bill hits the mailbox.
Are High Feed Prices on the Horizon for 2021?

With milk prices predicted to remain extremely volatile during the first few months of 2021, producers are anxious to know what to expect when the feed bill hits the mailbox.

Cows eating TMR at bunk.
Harvest Stalklage the Right Way For Dairy TMRs

Successfully preserving stalklage is not that different from making good corn silage or haylage.

Are Your Dairy Cows Getting the Protein They Need?
Are Your Dairy Cows Getting the Protein They Need?

Balanced rations provide dairy cows with the nutrients they need to produce milk at an optimum financial return.

Alfalfa in windrows.
2020 World Forage Analysis Superbowl Winners Announced

​​​​​​​The World Forage Analysis Superbowl evaluated 266 entries from 16 states and presented awards to top five finishers in eight divisions.

Do You Know Your Costs to Grow Feed?
Do You Know Your Costs to Grow Feed?

Feed costs tend to be the largest expense on a dairy operation and managing those costs contributes to a dairy's ability to be profitable.

Milk tankers.
The One Thing You Must Do Before Starting Any Risk Management Program

Knowing your cost of production is essential to knowing when you are locking in a profit.

Cows eating TMR.
Why Amino Acids Are So Important

Amino acids play a role in more than 20 biological functions, ranging from protein synthesis to stress response and behavior.

Cows eating.
Soaring Milk Protein Prices Suggest Ration Re-Think

Making sure there are no amino acid deficiencies—particularly lysine and methionine--is the surest way to encourage milk protein production.

Cow at bunk.
High Moisture Corn Could Prove Viable Option for Robotic Milkers

Using high moisture corn rather than pellets reduced feed costs and profitability.

Dry cows at feed bunk.
Tips To Manage Dry Cows

Dry cows should maintain a body condition score in the range of 3.0 to 3.25.

Should You Dry Off Cows Early?
Should You Dry Off Cows Early?

It's one way to reduce production, but weight gain during the prolonged dry period can be a real risk.

Hay in windrow.
Milk-Feed Margins Still Key to Profitability

Keeping home-grown feed costs in line has a significant impact on the milk-feed margin.

Correct feeding practices is critical to cow performance.
Basic Feeding Practices More Important than Balancing to Nth Decimal

If feed isn't mixed and fed properly, balancing rations to the nth decimal point doesn't really matter.

 If you can’t get high yields, it may be cheaper to buy feed.
Yields Critical to ‘Grow or Buy' Decision

The key is good records, and then knowing what it is costing you to raise feed.

Heifers need to be 85% of mature body weight after calving.
Why Heifer Maturity Really, Really Matters

Weight at calving not only determines first-lactation performance, it sets in stone lifetime performance.

October Dairy Outlook: Cooling Feed Costs, Warming Milk Price
October Dairy Outlook: Cooling Feed Costs, Warming Milk Price

Strengthening milk price and weakening feed costs have improved. The interactions of projected production growth and strengthening Class III price for 2020 remain to be seen.

Late Corn Harvest Brings Lower Feed Cost Opportunities
Late Corn Harvest Brings Lower Feed Cost Opportunities

With so much late-planted corn, it’s likely many farmers are struggling with wet grain.

Analyst: How Do We Price Different Silage Quality This Year?
Analyst: How Do We Price Different Silage Quality This Year?

It's no surprise corn maturity is behind pace. However, does this create a pricing problem for silage?

The Tale of Two Feed Strategies: When Less is More

Milk fat, cost and feed efficiency play tug-of-war in research published this month on how much to feed your cattle.

Dairy Sense: Home Raised Feed Costs vs. Market Costs
Dairy Sense: Home Raised Feed Costs vs. Market Costs

Costs associated with the cropping enterprise are extremely important whether a producer has a livestock operation or growing cash crops.

The Three R's of Nutrient Byproducts
The Three R's of Nutrient Byproducts

As sustainability continues to be a hot topic amongst consumers, many farmers are looking for new ways to reduce their carbon “hoofprint.”

Poor weather means forage quality and quantity are low in many areas.
Stretch Limited Forage Supplies

First and foremost, work with your nutritionist to re-formulate diets for lower forage levels.

Grazing cattle on wet pastures can cause both damage to grass stands and soil structure.
Prevent Pasture Damage During Wet Weather

The key is to move cattle more frequently during wet weather.

Cows have special needs during the last three weeks of gestation.
Focus On Protein In Fresh Cow Diets

Research studies shows how higher protein fresh cow rations can improve performance.

Here's What An Early Frost Can Do To Corn Silage
Here's What An Early Frost Can Do To Corn Silage

Stay on top of the progress of your corn crop to be ready for the impact an early frost will have on corn silage harvest.

Reducing shrink starts with harvest, packing bunkers correctly to reduce losses.
​​​​​​​How to Make $50,000

Reducing feed shrink is a good place to start.

Dairy Report: Preserving MN Dairies and DMC Feed Formula Revisions
Dairy Report: Preserving MN Dairies and DMC Feed Formula Revisions

Minnesota is trying to keep its state’s dairy industry going after the state legislator passed an $8 million plan called the Minnesota Dairy Assistance and Relief Initiative.

Cereal Rye: It’s what’s for Breakfast for Many Dairy Heifers
Cereal Rye: It’s what’s for Breakfast for Many Dairy Heifers

The intensified focus on planting cover crops has led to a fairly new feedstuff for growing dairy heifers.

Weather delayed corn planting which will affect corn silage quality.
Be Prepared: 2019 Corn Silage Will Be Different From Years Past

Late planting dates will impact quality and digestibility.

Examining actual rather than calculated data is critical to assessing performance.
Dig Below the Surface of Top Line Data

'Numbers are only useful in decision making if they are used.' Lane Ely, University of Georgia.

More fibrous forage can result in lower dry matter intake, lower digestibility, more chewing time and reduced lying time.
Chop Crappy Hay Finer

Chopping forage more finely can result in more consistent particle size and greater feed intakes.

Producers Worry About Lack Of Feed and Bedding Come Fall
Producers Worry About Lack Of Feed and Bedding Come Fall

Producers Worry About Lack Of Feed and Bedding Come Fall AgDay National Reporter Betsy Jibben talks with John Metzger, a dairy farmer from Kimmell, Indiana and Marcelo Oberto, an independent dairy consultant.

Why Test Forage Quality?
Why Test Forage Quality?

Greater net profit is the bottom line for why livestock producers need to know the quality of the forages they are feeding!