SDSU Extension Extra in Spanish: Calidad de la leche y eficiencia alimentaria
Contact: Alvaro Garcia
Phone: (605) 688-5488
Friday, May 22, 2009
A new Spanish-language South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service publication addresses the challenges dairy operations feel during a difficult economic period.
SDSU Extension Extra 4042S, "Rentabilidad lechera 101: Calidad de la leche y eficiencia alimentaria," or "Dairy Profitability 101: Milk Quality and Feed Efficiency," is available at this link: http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/ExEx4042S.pdf. Or ask for it at your county Extension office.
Extension Dairy Specialist Alvaro Garcia wrote the publication, which focuses on practices dairy producers can take to combat low milk prices with improved feeding efficiency.
Three key components are explained in the publication, including milk prices, cost of production, and milk volume. The author evaluates milk futures prices, and suggests improving milk quality as a possible measure to maintain profits between the present and 2010.
When looking at production costs, the publication evaluates the removal of additives and their long-term impact on an operation's bottom line. It also explains the impacts that come with "tempting" cost-cutting options such as reducing investments in bedding and how these changes can in reality add up to more costs for dairy producers.
The publication discusses the differences between optimal nutrient utilization and maximum feed intake and spells out how efficiency development in an existing operation can often provide more profit than a large expansion-style change in day-to-day operation.
AgBio Communications Unit
South Dakota State University
ACC, Box 2231, Rm 200
Brookings, SD 57007
Telephone: (605) 688-4642
Jarett.Bies@sdstate.edu