WEBVTT 00:00:10.529 --> 00:00:13.669 Welcome back to the Bullvine Podcast. Today, 00:00:13.810 --> 00:00:16.530 we're tackling one of the most critical and profitable 00:00:16.530 --> 00:00:19.609 challenges you'll face this season, spring pasture 00:00:19.609 --> 00:00:22.929 management. You know the drill. Lush spring grass 00:00:22.929 --> 00:00:25.469 looks like a gold mine, but if you're not careful, 00:00:25.629 --> 00:00:28.390 it can tank your milk components and bleed profits. 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:32.140 We're talking up to 32 cents per 100 weight loss 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:36.140 to milk fat depression alone. Ouch. But here's 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:38.899 the good news. This episode is packed with actionable 00:00:38.899 --> 00:00:42.520 strategies to turn that risk into reward. We'll 00:00:42.520 --> 00:00:45.280 break down rotational grazing hacks, supplementation 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.500 secrets, and even how drone tech can revolutionize 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:51.060 your pasture game. Whether you're a grazing newbie 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:54.500 or a seasoned pro, stick around. By the end of 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:56.929 this episode, You'll have a battle plan to protect 00:00:56.929 --> 00:00:59.909 your milk check and boost your bottom line. Let's 00:00:59.909 --> 00:01:04.329 dive in. Spring. It's that time of year again 00:01:04.329 --> 00:01:07.069 when the pastures start looking all vibrant and 00:01:07.069 --> 00:01:10.310 green. For you dairy folks, it's got to be like 00:01:10.310 --> 00:01:12.849 a love -hate relationship, right? You hit the 00:01:12.849 --> 00:01:14.730 nail on the head there. I mean, on the one hand, 00:01:14.730 --> 00:01:16.909 those... Feedbill's taking a dip that's gotta 00:01:16.909 --> 00:01:19.349 feel good. Oh yeah, who doesn't love the thought 00:01:19.349 --> 00:01:21.629 of saving some cash? But then there's that other 00:01:21.629 --> 00:01:24.069 side of the coin. You gotta keep those milk components 00:01:24.069 --> 00:01:26.769 up, or those profits could take a hit faster 00:01:26.769 --> 00:01:29.609 than a calf in a stampede. It's a tightrope walk, 00:01:29.730 --> 00:01:32.099 for sure. And that's exactly why we're doing 00:01:32.099 --> 00:01:35.640 this deep dive today. We're talking spring grazing, 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:38.739 but we're going way beyond the basics. We're 00:01:38.739 --> 00:01:40.939 getting into the nitty gritty, the strategies 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:43.079 that work, and even some of the newfangled tech 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:44.859 that can make a real difference on your operation. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:47.180 We're not going to sugarcoat it. Transitioning 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:49.140 to spring pastures can be a real challenge, but 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:51.640 it can also be incredibly rewarding when you 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:54.079 get it right. That's right. We're talking protecting 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:56.700 your milk check, maybe even boosting those profits 00:01:56.700 --> 00:01:58.980 while the cows are enjoying the sunshine. And 00:01:58.980 --> 00:02:01.180 we've done our homework. We've been poring over 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:03.760 research, talking to folks in the field, really 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:06.040 trying to get a handle on the ins and outs of 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:09.000 spring pasture management for dairy operations. 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:12.259 So let's just jump right into it, shall we? Let's 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:14.699 talk about that critical transition period when 00:02:14.699 --> 00:02:16.840 you first let the cows out onto those spring 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:19.080 pastures. Yeah, for a lot of folks, we're looking 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:22.620 at April and May. But of course. It depends on 00:02:22.620 --> 00:02:24.520 where you are. Exactly. You've got those drier 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:26.840 areas. They might be seeing green as early as 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:30.020 February. And some organic operations might hold 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:31.759 off till mid -April. Right. Got to make sure 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:33.840 those conditions are just right. But no matter 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:36.740 when it happens, it's a huge shift for the cows. 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:38.780 I mean, think about it. They've been on those 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:42.159 consistent winter rations. And suddenly, bam, 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:44.340 it's like a whole new world of food. One of the 00:02:44.340 --> 00:02:46.860 sources we looked at called it a metabolic minefield. 00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:50.330 Oh, yeah. That's a good one. It's like they traded 00:02:50.330 --> 00:02:52.409 in their carefully balanced meal plan for an 00:02:52.409 --> 00:02:55.849 all -you -can -eat salad bar. And let me tell 00:02:55.849 --> 00:02:58.509 you, that can cause some serious havoc in the 00:02:58.509 --> 00:03:01.330 rumen. So what's actually going on in there that 00:03:01.330 --> 00:03:03.689 makes this transition so tricky? What are the 00:03:03.689 --> 00:03:05.789 main differences between that winter feed and 00:03:05.789 --> 00:03:08.449 that lush spring grass? Well, first off, that 00:03:08.449 --> 00:03:11.069 young spring forage is much lower in structural 00:03:11.069 --> 00:03:14.569 fiber. That's the roughage that keeps the rumen 00:03:14.569 --> 00:03:17.270 working right. So it's like taking away the scaffolding 00:03:17.270 --> 00:03:19.490 that holds everything up. Exactly. And at the 00:03:19.490 --> 00:03:22.750 same time, you got those sugars skyrocketing. 00:03:22.750 --> 00:03:24.710 Oh, yeah. All that sweetness. And on top of that, 00:03:24.770 --> 00:03:27.969 we're talking a ton of moisture, like 75 to 85 00:03:27.969 --> 00:03:30.449 percent. They're practically drinking their salad. 00:03:30.669 --> 00:03:32.990 I see where this is going. That's got to be a 00:03:32.990 --> 00:03:35.439 recipe for some digestive upset. You got it. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:38.780 All those sugars fermenting super fast, overwhelm 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:40.719 the rumen. And before you know it, you got that 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:43.939 rumen pH plummeting. That's what we call subacute 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:47.979 rumen acidosis or SARA for short. That didn't 00:03:47.979 --> 00:03:50.180 sound good. It's a silent killer. It might not 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:52.919 show up right away, but it can really mess with 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:56.159 milk production, both fat and protein. And let's 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:58.300 not forget about those unsaturated fats and all 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:00.879 that lush new growth. Oh, yeah. I know that can 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:03.460 affect milk fat, but I'm not sure I fully get 00:04:03.460 --> 00:04:06.580 why. Could you break it down for us? Sure. So 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:08.500 you've got these unsaturated fats that are just 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:10.180 hanging out in the rumen. Right, they come in 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:13.460 with that fresh grass. And normally, the microbes 00:04:13.460 --> 00:04:16.899 in the rumen would convert those unsaturated 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:19.759 fats into saturated ones. It's a process called 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:22.540 biohydrogenation. Okay, so far so good. But when 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:25.399 you get this sudden influx of unsaturated fats 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:27.920 from the spring grass, the whole system gets 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:30.779 overloaded, and these intermediate fatty acids 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:34.079 start to build up. And guess what? Those little 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:37.579 guys, they're the real culprits. They go and 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:40.480 mess with milk fat synthesis. So that's how you 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:42.800 get those huge drops in butter fat, sometimes 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:46.949 as much as 50%. It's like the lush grass is sabotaging 00:04:46.949 --> 00:04:49.069 the milk from the inside out. Pretty much. And 00:04:49.069 --> 00:04:50.870 then you add the high moisture content to the 00:04:50.870 --> 00:04:53.189 mix. Oh, right. All that water. The cows are 00:04:53.189 --> 00:04:54.850 filling up on water, but they're not getting 00:04:54.850 --> 00:04:57.529 enough of the good stuff, the fiber, the energy, 00:04:57.649 --> 00:04:59.730 all the things they need to produce high quality 00:04:59.730 --> 00:05:01.629 milk. So it's like they're eating empty calories. 00:05:01.930 --> 00:05:04.750 Kind of, yeah. And all that together just increases 00:05:04.750 --> 00:05:06.949 the risk of that sera even more. It's like a 00:05:06.949 --> 00:05:09.110 domino effect. One problem leading to another. 00:05:09.350 --> 00:05:11.509 And it sounds like those rumen problems can have 00:05:11.509 --> 00:05:13.529 some pretty wide ranging effects on the cow. 00:05:13.769 --> 00:05:16.490 not just on their milk. Absolutely. We're talking 00:05:16.490 --> 00:05:21.050 body condition, fertility issues, you know, the 00:05:21.050 --> 00:05:22.829 kind that make you want to pull your hair out 00:05:22.829 --> 00:05:25.389 and even hoof problems. Yikes. That's a lot to 00:05:25.389 --> 00:05:27.209 deal with. And then there's the whole mineral 00:05:27.209 --> 00:05:29.209 imbalance thing. Right. That's another thing 00:05:29.209 --> 00:05:30.810 I've heard about. You got all that potassium 00:05:30.810 --> 00:05:34.649 in spring grass, but it's low in magnesium. And 00:05:34.649 --> 00:05:37.629 what does that mean? Increased risk of grass 00:05:37.629 --> 00:05:40.089 tetany. Grass tetany. That's the one that can 00:05:40.089 --> 00:05:41.750 be really dangerous, right? It can be deadly. 00:05:41.769 --> 00:05:44.920 Yeah. So you got to be careful. So it's not as 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:46.959 simple as just letting the cows out to graze. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:48.639 There's a whole lot of things to think about. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:51.259 You got that right. But don't worry, it's not 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.000 all doom and gloom. There are definitely ways 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.000 to manage this transition and make sure your 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:57.800 cows are healthy and productive. Okay, so let's 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:00.399 get to the good stuff. What are some of the top 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:03.319 grazing management strategies that can help farmers 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:06.040 get this right? Well, the most important thing 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:08.680 is to transition gradually. Don't just throw 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:10.720 those cows out there and expect them to handle 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:13.399 it. Ease them into it. Makes sense. Exactly. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:15.360 Give them two to three weeks to adapt. It's like 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:17.920 switching up a factory's production line. Got 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:20.040 to give those rumen microbes time to adjust to 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:23.339 the new material. So practically speaking, what 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:25.319 does that look like? Start with just a couple 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:27.720 hours of grazing each day and keep offering them 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:30.639 some dry hay alongside the fresh grass. So they're 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:34.079 getting a bit of both. Right. That dry hay provides 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:36.920 the fiber that the young grass is missing, helps 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:39.699 keep those rumen microbes happy. Okay, that's 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:41.740 a good starting point. Yeah. Now, what about 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:44.779 rotational grazing? Oh, that's a game changer. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:46.800 I've heard good things about it. It's not just 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:49.300 a good idea. It's essential, especially in the 00:06:49.300 --> 00:06:51.839 spring. You divide up your pastures into smaller 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:54.639 paddocks and move the cows every 12 to 24 hours. 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:57.579 Wow, that's frequent. Why so often? It's all 00:06:57.579 --> 00:07:00.540 about maximizing grass utilization. You don't 00:07:00.540 --> 00:07:02.819 want the cows picking and choosing, wasting good 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:05.699 forage. Rotational grazing helps you get the 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:08.959 most out of your pasture. In fact, you can boost 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:12.920 grass utilization by about 20 % compared to continuous 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:15.620 grazing. 20 %? That's like getting free feed. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:19.220 It really is. And in early spring, I actually 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:22.160 recommend grazing those cool season pastures 00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:25.360 pretty closely, leaving about two inches of stubble. 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:28.040 Really? Wouldn't you want to leave more for them 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:30.500 to eat? It seems counterintuitive, but trust 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:33.100 me on this one. Grazing it down like that encourages 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:35.899 the grass to grow back thicker, which means more 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:38.399 forage later on. Okay, I'll take your word for 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:40.579 it. But how do you know if you're actually leaving 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:42.279 that two -inch stubble? Here's what I want you 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:46.129 to do. Tomorrow, Go out there and walk your pastures. 00:07:46.149 --> 00:07:48.449 Take a stroll. And take a good look at that residual 00:07:48.449 --> 00:07:50.490 grass height after the cows have been through 00:07:50.490 --> 00:07:53.329 a paddock. If you're consistently seeing less 00:07:53.329 --> 00:07:55.170 than four centimeters, that's about an inch and 00:07:55.170 --> 00:07:57.170 a half, you've got to make some adjustments. 00:07:57.490 --> 00:07:59.750 Like what? Maybe start buffer feeding with some 00:07:59.750 --> 00:08:02.750 hay. Your cows might be grazing too low, and 00:08:02.750 --> 00:08:04.569 that's not good for the long -term health of 00:08:04.569 --> 00:08:07.709 your pasture. Good to know. Now, we have a table 00:08:07.709 --> 00:08:11.310 here about optimal grazing heights for different 00:08:11.310 --> 00:08:13.370 forage types. Could you walk us through that? 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:16.959 Sure thing. So let's start with perennial ryegrass, 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:20.160 pretty common one. You want to begin grazing 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:22.560 when it's about eight to ten centimeters tall, 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:24.860 that's three to four inches, and then graze it 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:27.300 down to about four to five centimeters. That 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:29.360 keeps the ryegrass happy and coming back strong. 00:08:29.850 --> 00:08:32.029 For tall fescue, you can let it get a bit taller, 00:08:32.110 --> 00:08:34.629 around 15 to 20 centimeters, but aim for a higher 00:08:34.629 --> 00:08:37.649 residual of 5 to 7 centimeters. This helps prevent 00:08:37.649 --> 00:08:40.350 it from getting too stemmy. And for legume mixes, 00:08:40.509 --> 00:08:42.710 you're looking at starting grazing at 15 to 25 00:08:42.710 --> 00:08:45.509 centimeters and leaving a residual of 7 to 10 00:08:45.509 --> 00:08:47.909 centimeters. That protects the crown of the plants 00:08:47.909 --> 00:08:50.669 and ensures good regrowth. So there's really 00:08:50.669 --> 00:08:53.250 a science to it. It's not just a one -size -fits 00:08:53.250 --> 00:08:55.070 -all approach. Nope. You've got to know your 00:08:55.070 --> 00:08:57.570 corages and manage them accordingly. And another 00:08:57.570 --> 00:08:59.289 thing to keep in mind is that pre -graze and 00:08:59.289 --> 00:09:01.509 cover, how much forage is there before the cows 00:09:01.509 --> 00:09:04.230 even get to it? You want to have at least 1 ,600 00:09:04.230 --> 00:09:06.950 kilograms of dry matter per hectare. This makes 00:09:06.950 --> 00:09:08.730 sure the cows have enough to eat and helps maintain 00:09:08.730 --> 00:09:11.409 good pasture health. And whatever you do, don't 00:09:11.409 --> 00:09:13.809 go over -fertilize in that young grass. It might 00:09:13.809 --> 00:09:15.629 seem like a good idea to boost growth, but it 00:09:15.629 --> 00:09:17.629 can actually make milk fat depression worse. 00:09:17.950 --> 00:09:21.330 So more fertilizer isn't always better. Not in 00:09:21.330 --> 00:09:23.629 this case. And here's another myth I want to 00:09:23.629 --> 00:09:26.409 bust. Taller grass doesn't always mean better 00:09:26.409 --> 00:09:28.789 nutrition. Yeah, I've heard that one too. If 00:09:28.789 --> 00:09:31.250 that grass gets too tall and lush, it can be 00:09:31.250 --> 00:09:34.049 loaded with sugar and low in fiber. That's a 00:09:34.049 --> 00:09:36.769 recipe for disaster in the rumen. So it's not 00:09:36.769 --> 00:09:38.970 about how much grass there is. It's about the 00:09:38.970 --> 00:09:41.929 quality of that grass. Bingo. Now let's talk 00:09:41.929 --> 00:09:43.710 about something that can really take your grazing 00:09:43.710 --> 00:09:46.240 game to the next level. regenerative grazing. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:49.259 Regenerative grazing. That's a hot topic these 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:51.279 days. It's more than just a buzzword, though. 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:53.940 It's about building soil health, making your 00:09:53.940 --> 00:09:56.159 pastures more resilient, and ultimately boosting 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.639 your profits. I like to think of the soil as 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.759 your retirement account, and those roots are 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.539 like compound interest. I like that analogy. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:06.399 So how is regenerative grazing different from 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:09.360 regular rotational grazing? It builds on rotational 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:12.039 grazing by incorporating longer rest periods 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:14.759 between grazing events. This gives the plants 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:17.720 more time to recover, develop deeper roots, and 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:21.100 really thrive. And diversity is key. You want 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:23.639 a mix of grasses, legumes, and even some deep 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:26.360 rooted forbs. This helps with nutrient cycling, 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:28.980 soil structure, water infiltration, the whole 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.379 shebang. It's about creating a healthier ecosystem, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:34.309 not just growing grass. You got it. And there 00:10:34.309 --> 00:10:36.669 are real -world examples of this making a difference. 00:10:36.850 --> 00:10:38.649 I heard about this dairy farmer in Wisconsin 00:10:38.649 --> 00:10:41.330 who switched to regenerative grazing, and he 00:10:41.330 --> 00:10:44.269 cut his feed costs by 30%. He was practically 00:10:44.269 --> 00:10:46.490 printing money in his pastures. And the research 00:10:46.490 --> 00:10:48.750 backs it up. 30%. That's incredible. Do you have 00:10:48.750 --> 00:10:50.769 any other data on the impact of regenerative 00:10:50.769 --> 00:10:52.529 grazing? Oh, yeah. We got a whole table here. 00:10:52.629 --> 00:10:54.549 Studies show that extending those rotational 00:10:54.549 --> 00:10:57.210 grazing cycles to 10 to 12 days can bump up milk 00:10:57.210 --> 00:11:01.250 fat by about 0 .22 % and milk protein by 0 .12%. 00:11:01.250 --> 00:11:03.509 And you're looking at feed cost reductions of 00:11:03.509 --> 00:11:07.409 18 to 22%. Not too shabby. Now, if you really 00:11:07.409 --> 00:11:10.269 want to see some impressive results. diversify 00:11:10.269 --> 00:11:12.970 those pastures. We're talking milk fat increases 00:11:12.970 --> 00:11:17.330 of around 0 .35 percent, milk protein up by 0 00:11:17.330 --> 00:11:21.330 .18 percent, and feed cost reductions of 25 to 00:11:21.330 --> 00:11:23.929 30 percent. So plant diversity really pays off. 00:11:24.090 --> 00:11:26.129 It does. And don't forget about those strategic 00:11:26.129 --> 00:11:28.990 rest periods. Those can also improve components 00:11:28.990 --> 00:11:31.909 and save you money on feed. It's amazing how 00:11:31.909 --> 00:11:34.169 much impact grazing management can have on the 00:11:34.169 --> 00:11:36.990 whole operation. It really is. And when you manage 00:11:36.990 --> 00:11:39.539 your pastures right, You end up with forage that's 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:42.120 more nutritious and more palatable. The cows 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:44.299 love it. They eat more and they produce more 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:47.320 milk. It's a win -win. Makes perfect sense. Now, 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:49.740 even with the best grazing management, there 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:52.139 are times when you need to supplement, especially 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:54.159 during that spring transition. You're absolutely 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:56.639 right. Sometimes that pasture just can't keep 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:58.379 up with the demands of those high -producing 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:01.690 cows. But here's the thing. supplementation should 00:12:01.690 --> 00:12:04.070 be strategic. Not just throwing some extra feed 00:12:04.070 --> 00:12:06.370 at them. Exactly. It's about identifying the 00:12:06.370 --> 00:12:08.370 gaps and filling them in a way that makes sense 00:12:08.370 --> 00:12:11.029 for your operation and your bottom line. So where 00:12:11.029 --> 00:12:13.269 should farmers focus their supplementation efforts 00:12:13.269 --> 00:12:15.669 in the spring? One thing I always recommend is 00:12:15.669 --> 00:12:19.809 rumen -protected amino acids, or RPAAs. RPAAs. 00:12:19.809 --> 00:12:23.389 Yeah. Specifically, methionine and lysine. These 00:12:23.389 --> 00:12:25.250 are essential for milk production, but they can 00:12:25.250 --> 00:12:27.750 be limited in pasture -based diets. And how do 00:12:27.750 --> 00:12:29.830 these RPAAs work? They sound pretty high -tech. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.639 They are, but they're also pretty simple. Basically, 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:34.740 they're coated so they don't get broken down 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:37.340 in the rumen. They bypass all that and go straight 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:39.139 to the small intestine where they get absorbed. 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:42.419 This allows the cow to use those amino acids 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:44.919 much more efficiently, which means more milk 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:47.440 protein and potentially even a bump in milk fat. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.840 It's like a precision delivery system for nutrients. 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.799 That's a good way to put it. And we got some 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.879 data here on rumen -protected fats, which can 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:55.720 also be really helpful. Yeah, let's talk ROI. 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.580 That's what farmers really care about, right? 00:12:57.639 --> 00:13:01.230 You bet. Looking at projections for 2025, one 00:13:01.230 --> 00:13:04.090 product, MegaFat88, could increase milk yield 00:13:04.090 --> 00:13:07.549 by almost 2 liters per day and bump up fat percentage 00:13:07.549 --> 00:13:11.289 by about 0 .25%. That's a projected ROI of around 00:13:11.289 --> 00:13:14.830 49%, with a break -even point in about 2 months. 00:13:15.049 --> 00:13:17.960 Not bad at all. Another product, Megalac, is 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:20.700 looking even better milk yield increase of over 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:23.720 two liters per day a fat percentage increase 00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:28.139 of 0 .35 and an roi of 83 with a break -even 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:30.360 point in just over a month wow those are some 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.399 compelling numbers and then you got ground corn 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:34.759 which is a more traditional supplement it can 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:37.340 increase milk yield but it might actually lower 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:40.440 fat percentage and has a lower roi so it's really 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:42.220 important to choose the right supplement for 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.980 your goals and it's all about balancing that 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:46.120 energy and protein intake right exactly spring 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:48.100 grass tends to be high in protein but can be 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.799 lacking in energy, so you've got to make sure 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:52.500 you're providing enough energy to keep the rumen 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:55.600 function in properly. And sometimes a simple 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:58.340 energy supplement like corn can be more cost 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:01.299 -effective than a fancy protein supplement. It 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:03.940 all depends on your specific situation. It sounds 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:05.399 like there's a lot to consider when it comes 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:07.799 to supplementation. There is, but it's worth 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.440 taking the time to get it right. And let's not 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:11.460 forget about the role of technology. Right, we 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:13.879 have to talk about drones. Ah, yes, the drones. 00:14:14.809 --> 00:14:17.190 It's like something out of a sci -fi movie, drones 00:14:17.190 --> 00:14:19.370 flying over pastures. I know, it sounds kind 00:14:19.370 --> 00:14:21.750 of futuristic, but it's becoming more and more 00:14:21.750 --> 00:14:25.529 common, and for good reason. These pasture monitoring 00:14:25.529 --> 00:14:28.929 drones can give you a whole new level of insight 00:14:28.929 --> 00:14:32.330 into your grazing operation. So what can they 00:14:32.330 --> 00:14:35.129 actually do? Well, for starters, they can provide 00:14:35.129 --> 00:14:38.210 high -throughput imagery of your entire grazing 00:14:38.210 --> 00:14:40.730 area. They can basically map out the whole thing 00:14:40.730 --> 00:14:43.110 and show you exactly how much grass is out there 00:14:43.110 --> 00:14:45.490 and how evenly the cows are grazing. That's got 00:14:45.490 --> 00:14:47.190 to save a lot of time compared to walking the 00:14:47.190 --> 00:14:49.330 pastures yourself. Oh, yeah. It's way more efficient. 00:14:49.529 --> 00:14:51.549 And they don't just take pretty pictures. They 00:14:51.549 --> 00:14:53.590 actually collect data that can help you make 00:14:53.590 --> 00:14:55.730 management decisions. So how does that work? 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:58.679 These drones have special sensors that capture 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:01.460 all sorts of information about the pasture, the 00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:04.139 height of the grass, the density, even the biomass. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:06.600 Biomass, that's like how much actual feed is 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:09.519 there, right? Exactly. And they use fancy software 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:12.240 and algorithms to turn those images into actual 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:14.340 measurements and estimates. So it's not just 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:17.000 a visual assessment, it's real data. And the 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.019 accuracy is pretty impressive. Studies have shown 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:22.940 that these drone -based estimates are highly 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:25.700 correlated with actual ground measurements. So 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:27.240 you can really trust the data they're giving 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:30.240 you. You can. And that data can help you make 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.220 better decisions about when to move your cows, 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:34.279 whether you need to supplement, and all sorts 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:36.840 of other things. It's like having a bird's eye 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:39.100 view of your pasture and all the information 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:41.500 you need to manage it effectively. And it's not 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:44.620 just about the grass, right? Drones can help 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.960 with herd management too. You bet. They can help 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:50.059 you find stray animals, monitor for estrus, check 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:52.620 on calving cows, and even make sure your water 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:54.559 sources are working properly. They're like little 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:58.080 aerial cowboys. Pretty amazing stuff. So we've 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.899 covered a lot today. To wrap things up, we've 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:02.440 got eight spring pasture profit commandments. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:04.740 Yeah, let's go through them. These are like the 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:07.440 golden rules of spring grazing. Commandment number 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:10.860 one, transition gradually. We talked about that. 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:13.500 Ease those cows into it. Give those rumen microbes 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:17.399 time to adjust. Number two. Rotate aggressively. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:20.539 Frequent paddock moves are key, especially in 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:22.799 the early spring. Keep those cows moving and 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:24.840 make sure they're getting the best quality forage. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.779 Commandment number three. Monitor milk components 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:30.700 daily. Those milk fat and protein percentages 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:33.960 are your early warning system. Keep a close eye 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:36.279 on them and make adjustments as needed. Number 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:39.610 four. Buffer feed strategically. Offer some dry 00:16:39.610 --> 00:16:42.370 hay before turnout to help stabilize that rumen 00:16:42.370 --> 00:16:46.190 pH and prevent problems. Number 5. Supplement 00:16:46.190 --> 00:16:49.629 smartly. Consider using rumen -protected methionine 00:16:49.629 --> 00:16:53.789 to support milk fat synthesis. Number 6. Measure 00:16:53.789 --> 00:16:56.549 pasture weekly. Use a plate meter or a drone 00:16:56.549 --> 00:16:58.850 to track your dry matter and adjust your grazing 00:16:58.850 --> 00:17:01.250 rotations accordingly. Commandment number 7. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:04.400 diversify pastures mix things up with different 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:07.299 plant species to improve soil health forage quality 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:09.720 and overall resilience and last but not least 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:12.940 number eight manage minerals proactively don't 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:15.200 forget about magnesium supplementation to prevent 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:17.559 grass tetany those are some solid commandments 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.480 for spring grazing success they'll set you on 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:22.099 the right path for sure now thinking about everything 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:24.640 we've discussed What's the most important decision 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:27.160 dairy farmers need to make when it comes to spring 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:30.059 grazing? It all boils down to finding that sweet 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:33.180 spot between maximizing grazing efficiency and 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:35.720 maintaining those milk components. It's a balancing 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:37.859 act. And it requires a holistic approach, right? 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:40.000 Absolutely. You got to think about grazing management, 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:42.880 nutrition, and even technology. It's all connected. 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:45.359 And the stakes are high. We're talking real money 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.619 here. You got it. That milk component depression 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:50.619 can cost you anywhere from 18 to 32 cents per 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:53.579 hundredweight. That adds up fast. But on the 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:55.640 flip side, when you get spring grazing right, 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:58.500 it can be a huge boost to your bottom line. It 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:00.279 can be even more profitable than confinement 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:02.500 operations because your feed costs are so much 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:05.039 lower. So it's a gamble worth taking. It is. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.579 But it's not just about luck. It's about making 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:10.039 informed decisions and taking action. Are you 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:12.299 going to let those milk solids slip away or are 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:14.839 you going to take control and maximize your profits? 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:17.700 Spring is coming and the time to act is now. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:20.339 All right, no time to waste. And for those who 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:22.380 are ready to take action, we've got that takeaway 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:25.119 toolkit. Yeah, let's review those key takeaways. 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:28.279 Number one, measure your pasture dry matter daily. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:32.079 If it's below 20%, supplement with some starch. 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:35.279 Number two, track your milk components at least 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:38.059 twice a week. Catch those downward trends early 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:41.000 and make changes. Number three, go for those 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.119 12 -hour paddock moves in the first few weeks 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:46.180 of grazing. Number four. Supplement with magnesium 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:50.500 oxide to prevent grass tetany. Number five. Maintain 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:53.359 a post -grazing residual height of four to six 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:56.579 centimeters. And number six. Consider using drone 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:59.000 technology to get a better handle on your pasture 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:01.299 management. So... Those are your action items. 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:03.680 Pick one or two and get started today. It's all 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:06.079 about making small changes that can have a big 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:09.160 impact. Well, that's it for this deep dive into 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.819 the world of spring grazing. It's been a whirlwind 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.900 of information, but we hope you found it helpful. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:16.079 We covered a lot of ground, but the main message 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:18.940 is this. Spring grazing can be a challenge, but 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:21.940 it can also be incredibly rewarding. It's all 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:24.000 about having the right knowledge and taking the 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:26.440 right steps. So as you're getting ready for spring, 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:29.099 think about what you've learned today. What changes 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:31.559 can you make to improve your operation? What 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:34.039 areas do you need to focus on? Whether it's grazing 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:37.059 management, supplementation, or technology, there's 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:40.180 always room for improvement. And as dairy farming 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:42.940 continues to evolve, we've got to be willing 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:46.920 to adapt and embrace new ideas. Who knows? Maybe 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:49.839 those spring pastures, once a source of uncertainty, 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:52.279 could become your biggest advantage. Food for 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:54.880 thought. Thanks for joining us, everyone. Until 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:57.779 next time. And that's a wrap. Let's recap today's 00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:01.579 power moves. Gradual transitions are non -negotiable. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:05.279 Give those rumen microbes time to adapt. Rotational 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:08.519 grazing isn't just trendy, it's a 20 % feed efficiency 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:11.880 booster. Targeted supplements like rumen -protected 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:15.119 methionine can rescue milk fat fast. Remember, 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:17.720 spring pastures don't have to be a profit pit. 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:20.400 With the right strategies, you're not just surviving 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:23.049 the transition, you're thriving. Got questions 00:20:23.049 --> 00:20:25.910 or success stories? Slide into our DMs at TheBullvine 00:20:25.910 --> 00:20:28.650 or visit TheBullvine .com for more resources. 00:20:29.430 --> 00:20:32.369 Until next time, keep those components high and 00:20:32.369 --> 00:20:35.130 your herds happier. Signing off with one final 00:20:35.130 --> 00:20:37.569 thought. Your pastures shouldn't fund your vet's 00:20:37.569 --> 00:20:40.029 vacation. Graze smarter, not harder.