Boost milk components for a better bottom line

Photo by Jamiesrabbits on www.flickr.com.

According to current per-capita intakes, dairy products provide 18% of the daily protein requirements in the U.S. diet and are a major source of nine other essential vitamins and minerals. As obesity is of great concern in the United States, it is important to note that dairy products only contribute to 10% of the daily caloric intake.

Due to consumer demand, milk fat and milk protein use continue to rise. From 2000-2009, there was an increase in utilization of milk fat by 15% and milk protein by 18%. For producers, this trend indicates that milk component values are becoming more and more significant for profitability.

Last October, the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) hosted their 22nd Discover Conference, entitled "Milk Components: Opportunities for Maximizing Farm Gate Returns and Meeting Manufacturing Needs." Among the attendees was Tony Hall, Dairy Technical Services Manager for Lallemand Animal Nutrition. 

In Progressive Dairyman's January 1st issue, Hall graciously provided key points from the conference for those of us that could not attend. He identified the following as the three "clear take-home messages:" 

1. There is no guarantee of high milk prices and likely less regulation. Do not become a milk price victim in the future - make time for a milk price risk management plan with your team and implement it!
   
   
2. For those on milk component-based contracts, make sure you are doing all you can to leverage the best milk protein yield from your rations and feed management. At the same time, all farms - whether on fluid or component pricing - should look over their current feed practices to save on ration-N (CP*) and get MUNs (milk urea nitrogen) down.
   *crude protein
   
   
3. Where milk content is paid for, make sure the team is doing all that it can to minimize the conditions for t10;c12-CLA* production and achieving the best milk fat content for the ration fed.
   *potent milk fat inhibitor trans-10, cis 12 conjugated linoleic acid

Source: "Discovering new ways to boost milk components" article by Tony Hall. Progressive Dairyman. 
January 1, 2012, Issue 1. 

Count on Patz Vertical Mixers to Boost Your Milk Components!

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