Can You Afford to Be Without DHI Testing?
| While there are many reasons to DHI test, the one that comes to mind most often is to receive somatic cell count (SCC) information. But how important is this information? Let's take a closer look. Lowering a herd's SCC can have a major effect on profitability. For example, if a herd had a 375,000 SCC lowering that count to 175,000 SCC, would equate to about $115 per cow per year. These assumptions are based on additional premiums for a herd averaging 25,500 pounds per cow per year. In addition another $50 per cow could also be expected based on the dropping Linear Scores. While these numbers are only estimates, they do show that significant profits can result if SCC is dropped responsibly. |
However, if an operation already has a low SCC, why keep testing when times are tight? Using current milk prices for butterfat at $1.25 per pound and protein valued at $2.10 per pound, if comparing two cows both producing 70 pounds a day throughout the lactation to cull, components make a huge difference (See Table 1 below). Culling the wrong cow can have both short and long term implications. The immediate $553 loss of components as well as the long term impact on future genetics. Keeping Cow B means she is the one producing the next generation of heifer calves on this dairy, each with $553 less earning potential than calves from the cow that was culled. |
AgSource testing typically costs less than one percent of a dairy farm's total expense. With the information provided by DHI testing, it easily pays for itself. Dairy producers are finding more value in DHI testing because of improved reports and options. Along with the new products came an investment in field training. This investment allowed Field Technicians to better serve the members by showing the value in the services offered through AgSource. Response from members has been positive and AgSource will continue to look to its membership to find ways to provide even more value in DHI testing. |
Table 1 The Value of Components
|
Pounds/day |
Butterfat % |
Protein % |
Value/day |
310 days |
|
|
Cow A |
70 |
4.2 |
3.3 |
$8.53 |
$2,643 |
|
Cow B |
70 |
3.0 |
2.8 |
$6.74 |
$2,090 |
|
Difference |
$1.79 |
$553 |
