Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, Episode 177, Milking Innovation, How Dairy Farmers Are
Revolutionizing Their Bottom Line.
Today we're diving into the cutting-edge strategies that are transforming the dairy
industry.
From feed hacks to tech investments and sustainability measures that actually pay off, we've got
a jam-packed episode that's sure to get your gears turning.
So grab your favorite dairy snack, settle in, and let's get moving with Bella and Douglas.
Welcome dairy enthusiasts to another exciting episode of the Bullvine Podcast.
I'm your host, Bella, joined by my partner in all things bovine, Douglas.
Today we're diving utter first into a topic that's got the whole industry buzzing.
How dairy farmers are slashing costs and supercharging herd health with a little help from their
nutritionists.
Douglas, why don't you give our listeners a taste of what we're chewing on today?
Thanks Bella.
Folks, if you've been feeling the squeeze from sky-high feed costs and margins thinner
than skim milk, you're not alone.
But here's the good news.
We're about to explore some innovative strategies that could have you pocketing an extra $126
per cow annually.
From citrus pulp to carbon credits, we're covering it all.
So grab your favorite milk-based beverage and settle in for a deep dive into the cutting
edge of dairy farming.
Ooh, I like the sound of that extra cash per cow.
Let's start with a story that really caught my eye.
Mike Larson, a third generation dairyman from Wisconsin, had a pretty dramatic change of
heart about his nutritionist.
Douglas, can you tell us more?
Absolutely, Bella.
Mike's story is one we're hearing more and more these days.
He used to see his nutritionist as just another expense, another bill to pay.
But now, well in Mike's own words, he's why we're still in business and making a profit.
It's a perfect example of how the right partnership can turn things around on a dairy farm.
That's fascinating.
It really shows how important it is to have the right team in your corner.
So Douglas, what exactly are these nutritionists doing that's making such a big difference?
Well, Bella, it's not just about formulating feed anymore.
These nutritionists are becoming strategic partners in the business.
They're helping farmers develop custom blended rations that not only optimize milk production
but also cut methane emissions, which by the way can lead to some pretty sweet carbon credits.
They're also providing insider tips on locking in feed prices before droughts hit, saving
farmers a bundle.
Wow, that's impressive.
It sounds like nutritionists are wearing a lot of hats these days.
But I have to ask, is this kind of partnership working for everyone?
That's a great question, Bella.
The truth is not all farmer nutritionist partnerships are created equal.
Some are really hitting it out of the park while others might be leaving money on the
table.
It really depends on how well they work together and how innovative they're willing to be.
Interesting.
Well, I think our listeners are probably eager to hear more about these strategies.
Why don't we dive into some specific examples?
Absolutely.
Let's start with a story that really showcases how a good nutritionist can help solve real
world problems on the farm.
Ever heard of Linda Stoltzfus?
Can't say that I have, Douglas.
Who's she?
Linda is a hardworking dairy farmer from Pennsylvania who found herself in a real pickle with ketosis
cases popping up all over her herd.
As she put it, we were losing calves and milk checks.
It was a tough situation, one I'm sure many of our listeners can relate to.
Oh no, that sounds awful.
Ketosis can be such a nightmare for dairy farmers.
What did she do?
Well, this is where her nutritionist came in clutch.
They introduced her to tracking dry matter intake using Milk 2024 software.
Now I know what you're thinking.
More tech, more hassle, right?
You know me too well, Douglas.
I can already hear some of our more traditional listeners groaning.
Well, hold on to your milking caps because the results might change your mind.
With just three hours a week of using this software, Linda saw some remarkable changes.
We slashed ketosis by 25% and saved $28,000 in vet bills last year alone.
Holy cow, that's incredible.
$28,000 in savings?
That's not just a drop in the milk bucket.
That's a whole lot of moolah.
Nice one, Bella.
But you're absolutely right.
It's a perfect example of how a little investment in the right tools and expertise can pay off
big time.
It really is.
But I have to ask, Douglas, what about farmers who might be hesitant about investing in new
technology?
I mean, not everyone has the cash lying around for fancy software or equipment.
That's a fair point, Bella.
Let's talk about that Nearest Forge analyzer that's been catching a lot of attention lately.
It's got a pretty hefty price tag of $12,000.
Now I can practically hear some of our listeners choking on their coffee at that number.
I might be one of them.
That's a lot of money for a piece of equipment.
It is.
But here's where it gets interesting.
Research from Penn State shows that farms can recoup that cost in just eight months
by cutting down on feed waste.
It's all about looking at the bigger picture and the long term benefits.
Eight months?
That's actually a pretty quick turnaround.
But what about smaller farms?
Surely they can't afford to shell out that kind of money.
You'd be surprised, Bella.
There are some creative solutions out there.
For instance, Dairy Farmers of America is doing something pretty innovative with co-op
nutritionists.
They've got 14 Midwest farms teaming up to share the cost of a top notch nutritionist
at $150 an hour.
It's a way for smaller operations to get premium advice without breaking the bank.
Now that's what I call teamwork.
It's great to see farmers coming together like that.
Speaking of creative solutions, I heard you had some interesting feed hacks to share with
us.
Care to spill the beans?
Or should I say spill the feed?
Oh, I've got some feed hacks that'll make your head spin faster than a calf chasing
its tail.
Let's start with what our friends down in Florida are doing.
They found a way to turn their citrus industry into a dairy farmer's dream.
Citrus and dairy?
Now that's a combination I didn't see coming.
What's the scoop?
Well, they're swapping out 20% of their rations for citrus pulp.
Now get this, citrus pulp is going for $85 a ton compared to $127 for silage.
That's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
That is a juicy saving.
But I'm guessing not everyone has access to citrus pulp.
What about our listeners in other parts of the country?
Great point, Bella.
Let's mosey on over to Idaho where they're turning potato waste into profit.
They're saving $68 per ton while maintaining milk yields.
As they say, that's no small potatoes.
Oh, Douglas, that was terrible.
But the savings sound amazing.
Any other creative feed solutions?
You bet.
Up in Vermont, Green Meadow Farm is partnering with a local cidery to use apple pommice in
their feed.
They're raking in $16,000 in annual savings.
Who knew fruit waste could fatten up the bottom line like that?
That's incredible.
It really shows how thinking outside the box can lead to some major benefits.
But Douglas, I have to ask, how are farmers finding these unconventional feed sources?
That's where our nutritionist friends come in again, Bella.
These aren't just happy accidents.
They're strategic moves orchestrated by farmers working closely with their nutritionists to
turn overlooked resources into valuable feed.
So it's not just about what you feed, but who you're partnering with to make these
decisions.
That's fascinating.
But I can already hear some of our listeners saying, that's great for Florida and Idaho,
but what about my farm?
You're right on the money there, Bella.
The key takeaway isn't to copy these exact solutions.
It's about looking at your local resources with fresh eyes.
It's considered waste in your area.
Maybe it's brewery leftovers, vegetable trimmings from a nearby processing plant, or that unusual
crop your neighbor grows that no one knows what to do with.
Your next game-changing feed solution might be hiding in plain sight.
That's such great advice, Douglas.
It really encourages our listeners to get creative and look for opportunities in their
own backyards.
Now, speaking of getting creative, I heard you had some insights on the tech side of
things.
Care to share?
Oh, you bet I do, Bella.
But I have to warn you, this might ruffle some feathers among our more traditional listeners.
Now you've got me intrigued.
Lay it on us, Douglas.
All right.
Picture this.
You're flipping through a room and sensor catalog, feeling like you're choosing between
your trusty old pickup and a shiny new Tesla.
Is all this high-tech mumbo jumbo worth it, or are we just being suckered by fancy marketing?
I can practically hear some of our listeners nodding along to that sentiment.
So what's the verdict, Douglas?
Are these fancy gadgets worth it?
Well, Bella, let me hit you with some numbers that'll make your milk meter spin.
There's a 500-cow herd in Wisconsin that decided to take the plunge.
They shelled out a cool $20,000 on sensors.
That's a lot of cheese curds.
You're not wrong there.
But here's where it gets interesting.
These gadgets drop-kicked subacute ruminal acidosis by 40%.
For those who might have dozed off during vet school, that's like giving your cow's
tummies a superhero shield.
That sounds impressive, but I have to ask, did it pay off financially?
Did it ever.
They saved a whopping $33,000 annually in lost milk and treatments.
That's right.
The tech paid for itself and then some.
Wow.
That's a pretty compelling argument for embracing technology.
But I can already hear some of our more experienced listeners grumbling.
You know, the back-in-my-day crowd.
Oh, I can hear them too, Bella.
Back in my day, we didn't need fancy gizmos to know when a cow was off her feed.
And you know what?
They're not wrong.
There's something to be said for that sixth sense you develop after years in the barn.
Absolutely.
So how do we reconcile that gut instinct with all this new technology?
Well, I like how Dr. Emma Ruiz, a dairy nutritionist who's forgotten more about rumen pH than
most of us will ever know, puts it, it's not about replacing gut instinct.
It's about giving your eyes and ears digital backup.
I love that perspective.
It's not an either or situation, but a both and.
Exactly, Bella.
Think of it like this.
You wouldn't try to run your farm with just your bare hands, would you?
Of course not.
You use tractors, milking machines, and other tools.
These sensors are just another tool in your belt, a brilliant data crunching tool that
never sleeps and doesn't ask for overtime.
When you put it that way, it makes a lot of sense, but I'm sure cost is still a big concern
for many of our listeners.
Any advice on that front?
Absolutely.
I'm not saying you should mortgage the farm to buy every blinking gadget, but if you're
on the fence about investing in some tech, these numbers might tip you over.
After all, in the dairy game, sometimes you've got to spend money to make money.
That's great advice, Douglas.
Now we've talked a lot about feed and tech, but I know there's another hot topic in the
dairy world right now.
Sustainability.
How does that fit into all of this?
Oh boy, Bella, you've just opened up a whole new can of worms.
Or should I say a whole new silo of silage.
Sustainability is the elephant in the parlor these days.
I see what you did there, Douglas.
But seriously, I know it's a topic that's got a lot of farmers concerned.
How are people balancing sustainability with profitability?
Well, it's not always easy.
I'll tell you that.
Let's take methane reduction as an example.
We've got this supplement called 3NOP that can cut methane emissions by 30%.
Sounds great, right?
It does.
That's a significant reduction, but I'm sensing there's a but coming.
You've got good instincts, Bella.
The but is that it can also lead to a 4% to 6% milk yield dip in high producing Holsteins.
Talk about a dairy farmer's Sophie's choice.
Ouch.
That is a tough one.
So what are farmers doing?
Are they just having to choose between being green and making green?
Not necessarily.
This is where our nutrition experts come in again.
Dr. Ruiz has a trick up her sleeve.
She says, we balance it with bypass fats.
Is it perfect?
Nope.
But it's a start.
That's fascinating.
It really shows how complex these decisions can be.
But is it worth it?
Are farmers seeing any benefits from these sustainability efforts?
Absolutely, Bella.
Those carbon credits we mentioned earlier, they're not just feel good stickers.
They're cold hard cash in your pocket.
We're talking $50 a pop for carbon credits.
Now that's something I think our listeners will perk up their ears at.
It sounds like sustainability isn't just about doing good, but it can be good for business
too.
Exactly right, Bella.
I like to think of it this way.
You're no longer just a dairy farmer.
You're a climate change superhero in rubber boots, and every superhero needs a sidekick.
In this case, those bypass fats and carbon credits helping you fight the good fight without
hanging up your milk pail.
I love that image, Douglas.
Climate change superhero in rubber boots.
That should be on a t-shirt.
Jokes aside, it sounds like sustainability is becoming a crucial part of the dairy business.
You hit the nail on the head there, Bella.
This isn't just about doing what feels good.
It's about staying ahead of the curve.
Because let's face it, sustainability isn't just a buzzword.
It's the future of farming.
And the farmers who figure out how to go green without going into the red, they're the ones
who will be laughing all the way to the milk bank.
That's such a great point, Douglas.
It really drives home how important it is for farmers to be thinking about these issues.
Now we've covered a lot of ground today, from feed hacks to tech investments to sustainability.
Any final words of wisdom for our listeners?
Well, Bella, I'd say the key takeaway is this.
The dairy game is changing, and it's changing fast.
You can either ride the wave or get left in the dust.
And let me tell you, dust doesn't pay the bills.
No, it certainly doesn't.
So what should our listeners do with all this information?
I've got three action items for our listeners.
First, call your nutritionist today.
Not tomorrow, not next week.
Today.
Ask them about one new strategy you can implement this month.
Second, reach out to your neighbors.
Can you form a collective, pool resources, share knowledge?
And third, investigate those policy perks we talked about.
There's money on the table.
Are you going to leave it there?
That's fantastic advice, Douglas.
It really gives our listeners a clear path forward.
Any final thoughts before we wrap up?
Just this, Bella.
The future of dairy farming isn't just about producing milk.
It's about being innovative, adaptable, and a little bit daring.
It's about seeing opportunities where others see obstacles.
You have the knowledge and the grit.
Now it's time to combine them and show the world what real dairy innovation looks like.
Wow, that's inspiring stuff, Douglas.
I think our listeners have a lot to chew on after today's show.
Thank you so much for sharing all these insights with us.
And to our listeners, thank you for tuning into another episode of the Bullvine Podcast.
Remember, the cows won't milk themselves and the future won't wait.
So get out there and make your mark on the dairy world.
Until next time, this is Bella signing off.
And Douglas, reminding you that the next great dairy success story might just be yours with
a little help from your nutritionist.
Take care, everyone.
And there you have it, folks.
Another utterly fascinating episode of the Bullvine Podcast.
We've covered a lot of ground today, from innovative feed solutions to game-changing
tech investments, and even how to turn sustainability into cold, hard cash.
Remember, in the ever-evolving world of dairy farming, staying ahead of the curve isn't
just smart.
It's essential.
So take Douglas's advice, call your nutritionist, reach out to your neighbors, and start investigating
those policy perks.
Who knows, the next big dairy success story could be yours.
Until next time, this is Zachary reminding you to keep innovating, keep adapting, and
above all, keep milking those opportunities for all they're worth.
See you in the next episode.