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By iDeal & Klarna
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A dairy cow lasts more than three lactations on average and has a lifetime production of approximately 26,000 kg of milk.
Extending the productive lifespan of dairy cows from three to five lactations provides the following benefits for a farm with 100 dairy cows: |
| Assumption: | |
| Number of dairy cows | 100 |
| Average milk production per year | 8.600 kg |
| Annual production | 860.000 kg |
| Average number of lactations | 3 |
| Current calving age | 25 mnd |
| Average rearing costs/heifer | € 1.500,- |
| Breeding costs per year | € 50.940,- |
| Average balance (milk price-feed costs) | € 0,20 |
NB: This is an example calculation! The exact amounts depend on the circumstances on your farm.
If we manage to go from three to five lactations, this means that a company with 100 dairy cows per year has to keep 13 calves less. This results in savings in rearing costs of € 21,000.
Because less young cattle are kept, more milk can be produced within the same phosphate reference of a company. This is a plus of approximately € 32,500 per year.
Investing in the rearing of heifer calves ensures that the heifers calve earlier and produce more milk; this yields € 4,500. This so-called “metabolic programming” means that we optimally adjust the metabolism of a heifer to a high milk production through an optimal feeding strategy during the calf’s milking period.
The calculation in the calculation example shows that the total financial result of 100 dairy cows can improve by about € 25,500 to € 37,000 per year if a dairy cow lasts five instead of three lactations.
The bio health cow program helps to keep your animals healthy. Healthier animals are more productive and more profitable. Healthy livestock is also very important from the point of view of sustainable production and animal welfare!
From our practical experience and research, we know in detail what it takes to keep animals healthy and to let them perform optimally. The cow program gives you better insight into the pain / bottlenecks (pain, discomfort, disappointing production results) on your farm and the relationship between them. This makes preventive intervention and adjustments to details easier. Timely identification is of great importance here. All this contributes to a healthier herd.
With attention to details, much can be gained in the management of the young calf. A good start starts with good colostrum supply: 6 liters in the first 24 hours after birth, of which 3 liters in the first hour. The management and feeding of the calf in the first weeks of life determines much of its success as a dairy cow: a calf can be metabolically programmed in early childhood to produce optimal milk from its first lactation. Each gram of extra growth per day in the milking period with a calf yields 4 liters of extra milk in the first lactation! Good intestinal health of the calf is essential for an undisturbed rearing to a healthy heifer.
In modern dairy farming, we strive to have a heifer calve at the age of 23 months. All aspects of the rearing must be in order for this and this requires more attention to the details throughout the rearing period.
One of the biggest challenges for a dairy farm is to have the transition period in cows run smoothly so that the lactation start proceeds smoothly. Milk sickness, lingering milk sickness (ketosis), udder health and hoof health are important points for attention.
A dairy cow is like a top athlete and details are essential for optimal performance.
Once the lactation start is good, we also want the cow to continue to perform optimally. To achieve this, time and attention must be paid to fertility, mineral supply and udder health.
