Water, Water Everywhere…

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Sürünüzün sağlığını düzenli olarak izleyin ve değerlendirin, rutin veteriner kontrolleri ve aşılar dahil…

İneklerin beslenme ihtiyaçlarını karşılamak için dengeli bir diyet sağlayın, yeterli yem, konsantre, mineral ve su sağlayın.

Süt üretimini etkileyebilecek beslenme eksiklikleri veya aşırılıklarını önlemek için uygun bir yemleme yönetim planı uygulayın.

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Ucuz ve düşük kaliteli yem, bitki, tahıl, protein kaynakları, mineraller & vitaminler ve yağ alımdan kaçının. Eğer düşük kaliteli yeme 50 TL harcarsanız ve sadece günlük 40 litre süt üretiyorsanız, litre başına maliyetiniz 1,25 TL’ye yükselir. Daha fazla harcama yapıyor ve daha az alıyorsunuz!

Now, let’s think about this in terms of cow feed.

You could buy a bag of cheaper feed for 50 TL. But because it’s not packed full of the good stuff your cows need, they only produce 40 liters of milk each day. In a week, you get 280 liters of milk.

But what if you go for the second option? You buy the higher-quality feed for 75 TL. It’s more expensive, but it’s better for your cows and they start to produce more milk. In this case, they give you 60 liters per day. So, over a week, you get 420 liters of milk.

Yes, you are paying 25 TL more for the feed, but you are also getting an extra 140 liters of milk each week. If you sell this milk for even just 1 TL per liter, you get an extra 140 TL. After taking out the 25 TL for the better feed, you’re still making an additional 115 TL every week.

One significant study is the “Feeding Dairy Cows for Increased Milk Production” conducted by the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. According to this research, it’s demonstrated that the quality of feed significantly affects the milk yield of dairy cows. High-quality feed that is rich in nutrients helps enhance the cows’ milk production, whereas low-quality feed can result in decreased milk yield.

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Regularly monitor and evaluate the health of your dairy herd, including routine veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.

Provide a balanced diet to meet the nutritional needs of the cows, ensuring sufficient forage, concentrates, minerals, and water.

Implement a proper feeding management plan to prevent nutritional deficiencies or excesses that could impact milk production.

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Avoid buying cheap, low-quality ingredients. If you spend $50 on low-quality feed and only produce 40 liters of milk per day, your cost per liter rises to $1.25. You’d be spending more and getting less!

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Invest in Energy-Efficient Equipment: If you have an old piece of machinery that costs 2,000 TL per month to run, replacing it with a newer, energy-efficient model that costs only 1,500 TL per month could save you 6,000 TL in a year.

Implement Waste Management Practices: Manure and other waste products can be used as fertilizers or converted into biogas. This not only reduces waste but can also save you money or even generate income.

Optimize Feed Usage: By precisely measuring and delivering feed, you can reduce waste and ensure your cows are getting the nutrients they need without overspending. This could save you several thousand TL over the course of a year.

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Don’t Stick with Outdated Practices: Just as you wouldn’t use an old, inefficient lightbulb that costs 75 TL per month when you could use a new one costing 37.5 TL, don’t stick to outdated farming practices that drain your finances.

Don’t Neglect Regular Maintenance: Failing to maintain your equipment can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs. Regularly servicing your machinery might cost a few hundred TL but could prevent a breakdown that could cost several thousand.

Don’t Overlook Small Savings: Even small changes can add up to significant savings over time. 

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Schedule Regular Vet Visits: Just like humans, cows need routine check-ups to ensure they’re in good health. These visits can help catch any health issues early before they become serious problems. For example, a monthly check-up might cost around 500 TL, but it could prevent an illness that could cost several thousand TL in lost production and treatment costs.

Invest in Preventive Care: Regular vaccinations and deworming treatments are essential for maintaining the health of your dairy herd. This might cost around 300 TL per cow per year, but it can prevent diseases that can severely impact milk production.

Educate Yourself and Your Staff: Understand the signs of common diseases and conditions that can affect cows. The more knowledgeable you and your staff are, the quicker you can react if a cow becomes ill.

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Don’t neglect Your Herd’s Health: Skipping check-ups or vaccinations as a cost-saving measure could lead to severe consequences down the line. An illness that costs 5,000 TL to treat might have been preventable with a 500 TL vaccine.

Don’t ignore Advice from Your Vet: Your vet is a valuable resource, so don’t disregard their advice. If they recommend a certain vaccine or treatment, it’s usually for a good reason.

Don’t Delay Treatment: If a cow shows signs of illness, get it checked out immediately. Delaying treatment can lead to worse health outcomes for the cow and potentially higher treatment costs.