{"id":11773,"date":"2024-01-04T15:13:17","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T15:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/?p=11773"},"modified":"2024-01-04T15:13:17","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T15:13:17","slug":"milk-margins-high-feed-costs-forage-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/it\/milk-margins-high-feed-costs-forage-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect your milk margins from high feed costs and variable forage qualities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With farm-gate milk price<\/a> rises sluggish, businesses need to offset the impact of feed price increases, which have been slow to reduce since the increases seen in summer 2023. Here are some tips to help you protect your milk margins.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assess your input costs and the value of your forage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A realistic average target for feed cost is 25% of the milk income. Right now, it is not uncommon for this figure to show over 30% of milk income and sometimes higher. Some farmers are not aware of this high variable cost and its impact on profitability, which could continue until the spring turnout. So, it\u2019s a good time to assess your costs, determine the nutritional value of your forage, and shop for best prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forage resources \u2013 huge variability in 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Silages harvested in 2023<\/a> have shown variations in energy and protein values not seen for many years. Some maize samples have an energy difference of over one megajoule per kg of dry matter. For a general maize grass silage milking cow this intake represents 1.5 litres per cow per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grass silages have shown similar variations, particularly for their protein values. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forage utilisation is key to profit preservation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forage utilisation is a major factor towards maintaining your margins. Efficient use of forage helps you to ensure the greatest proportion of milk income is available to maintain your margins. By safeguarding your income, you\u2019ll be under less pressure when you pay for resources such as fertiliser for the imminent growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what should be on your radar going forward and how can you make the most of your forage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyse your forage to optimise your cows\u2019 nutrition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To utilize forage and feed efficiently, it is vital that you know its nutritional values, so: \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n