Think Outside The Herd

In this episode of the Think Outside The Herd podcast we explore the dry period. Analysis of Tracker data is highlighting three key areas that could improve productivity and profitability. Tune in to find out what these are...

Today’s challenge, is to : consider the use of eating and rumination monitoringtechnologies. In this episode we will review the data that these systems provide and weigh up the pro’s and con’s. We will also talk about what intakes and good rumination should look like. Referenced Melbourne Paper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWOkP2GpYGM&t=381s

Today’s challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to : Review your current milk fat production and determine the value of increasing your milk fat contract. For very many farms milk fat levels are not optomised against their milk contract. In this episode we discuss the value of milk fat and the factors that affect it's production. Dairy Club Milk Price Calc: https://dairyclub.tech/milk-pr...

Today’s challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to :Review plans for the next 6 to 12 months given that volatility is on the horizon. Milk prices are under downward pressure, production is causing dairies to consider A & B pricing mechanisms, customers are finding beef too pricey. All of these and more are signalling more volatility in the market. Listen in to find out more.

Today’s challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to ask: Is AI at the centre of your dAIry? Given the complexity of dairy farming AI offers some significant benefits. In this episode we explore the use of AI and give some practical tips on adopting it's use. https://chatgpt.com/

Today’s challenge, should you choose to accept it, is toask: are you operating at the right signal-to-noise ratio? So what is signal to noise? Every day we’re faced with huge amounts of information. It could be globalnews, market trends, or data from our own farm businesses. What we need todecide is how much of that information is a signal, something that moves our goals forward, and how much is j...

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... ...is to challenge the cause of ripples on your dairy farm By ripples, we meant the consequenses of events or actions which result in effects, big and small, that last for a long time after the initial event. With each event you are throwing a rock into an otherwise calm pond. Listen in to hear more...

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... ...is to forage for the missing dry matter on your farm. There are potentially tens of thousands of pounds worth of dry matter that are lost on your farm. In this episode we calculate what that tonnage might be and discuss where it might be hiding. Utilised DM tool: https://dairyclub.tech/utilised-dry-matter/ DM Losses tool: https://dairyclub.tech/...

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... is to mind the gap. The gap in this case are the gaps we see between the predicted milk yield performance and the milk that actually ends up in the tank. All herds have gaps in production and component yields. In this episode we walk through the potential for lost milk...being careful to mind the gap.

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... is to review whether you are getting the genetic gains youexpect from your heifers? The national data say's not. In this episode we explore the data, both nationally and for an individual farm and take a hard look at progress. NMR 500 Report: https://www.nmr.co.uk/nmr-500-herd-kpi-report-2024 Dairy Clube heifer Costs: https://dairyclub.tech/hei...

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... ...is to generate an additional £100,000 (or other currency) in Margin Over Purchased Feeds by exploring some What-If scenarios on yield and feed use. In this episode we use the Dairy Club What-If tool to challenge our thinking on production and feed use. Whilst the tool is quite simplistic, it can promote some great conversations on farm https://d...

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... ...is to find the lost milk due to somatc cell count. Somatic cells, while extremely valuable in fighting infection, can also damage the udder and reduce milk yield. In this episode we explore the amount of milk that can be lost, evaluate the hidden cost of that lost milk and some of the reasons behind it. SCC Calc: https://dairyclub.tech/somatic_c...

Milk fat and protein are valued components of milk. This first edition of Think Outside The Herd challenges listeners to consider whether they are leveraging the full potential of their herd's ability to produce these components. How much are you leaving on the table? Milk Price Calculator: https://dairyclub.tech/milk-price-calculator/