Economics of Dairy Grazing

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Dr. Larry Tranel, Iowa State University Extension Dairy Specialist, discusses Economics of Dairy Grazing. This training is brought to you by the University of Illinois and Iowa State University Dairy Extension.

[@zadokmotorfreight2423]

I've read Larry Tranel in the Graze paper.... He's top notch! Thanks!

[@gc7304]

Great information. Thanks

[@nsgkuaov]

Ok I am Irish and a dairy farmer, the first thing I would like to know is what is the grass growth curve in Iowa? The second is does anyone in America actually breed grasses? The quality of the pasture in the photos would be considered appalling over here but I have no way of knowing what you guys are capable of growing. We would aim to grow enough grass on one acre to feed one cow for the year along with roughly 750 kg of meals ( almost always bought in ) and produce in excess of 500kg of milk solids, at present prices c. €2000 of output per cow or about 2300 dollars, most units would have about 80 cows per labour unit but the better guys would be up around 120 or so, our climate is very benign and we generally only house cows for about 120 days of which at least half is the dry period. Really good grass silage is important but many of the top farmers grow maize silage which the use as a buffer feed for fresh calves cows on early grass which provides more protein than the cow can use. Our system is based on grass we know grass and have been breeding grasses for over a century , the key to any grazing system is to get as much grass of good enough quality into the cows for as many days of the year as possible to this end we breed a completely different type of Holstein than you do, we need a robust cow with great feet and legs that calves ever 365 days ( to match grass growth) and produces milk of far higher solids percentage than most American cows ( but of course an awful lot less volume). If you guys can get some aber grasses over there try them out, they start to grow at cooler temperatures and are very hardy , grass is key to successful grazing systems and profits don't worry too much about volume if you can get a cow to leave you €1000 of profit per head and carry one to the acre with the amount of land your dairy farmers seem to have it is a license to print money even if you could only carry one cow to two acres 500 acres would bring in 250 grand a year. Why do you think land in Ireland is making 12 to 15 grand an acre? Maybe dairy farmers in America need to rethink where they are going and produce half as much to make twice as much.

[@ronriehle1337]

You sir - are correct on ALL counts. I have been a grazing dairyman in the US for 25 years. We expect to profit (I define as money taken out of farm account and put to personal accounts) about $1500 dollars per cow. I have 60 acres at home with 55 cows and bred heifers. We own another 95 acres down the road aways. I farm alone so have no reason to max my acreage . But it will make you a millionaire farmer in 25 years pretty easily.

[@ferdinandimposter691]

Dairy grazing is simultaneously the most simple and most difficult system to manage.
It takes the salesmen and consultants out of your farm and puts the responsibility back primarily on your skills.
Terrifying.