DHIA/Records

The DHI program in Virginia just endured one of those not so memorable months where enrollment totals for all types of programs declined markedly – by over 1200 cows to be precise. Enrollment stands at 58,209 in the state, and further contraction seems likely. Some herds left the dairy business, but others saw DHI as an optional expense that could be eliminated. The herds that remain in business may have given up essential management information that would enable them to stay in business. Those herds don’t all have alternative record systems, and I have yet to see an alternative as comprehensive as DHI. It is important for dairy producers to take a long view of their businesses during this difficult time. Better times will return, and herds need to be operating at peak efficiency to capitalize when milk prices improve. Production records fall in the same business category as routine vet checks and certain vaccination programs - very important to efficient, competitive herd management, but underappreciated in times of stress. They are an expense that can be avoided in the short term without impacting the bulk tank, but the immediate savings jeopardize the long term business health of the herd. Some say that there will be no “long term” if they don’t cut expenses dramatically, but eliminating the herd testing program for that reason can turn into a self fulfilling prophecy. DHI remains the only practical way for almost all herds to routinely monitor milk components and somatic cells on individual animals. Management and culling decisions based on such individual cow information helps herds weather the storm of low milk prices. Further, the herd will be positioned to take advantage when milk prices improve. Modern dairy operations, more than ever, need to know how much milk individual cows give on a routine basis. DHI testing – again like use of AI and routine vet checks – is a small part of the cost of operating a dairy. Any “savings” from dropping these essential services will quickly disappear in a variety of problems that surface downstream for lack of preventive maintenance.

DHI Notes...