North Ridge Holsteins The Schlitzer Family

Goals  To breed the best cows  Have adequate family time

Current level of production  Currently milking 117 Holsteins  139 replacements  72.7 lbs. last test

Strengths  Herd Production-increased 1,400 lbs in last year  Udder Health-lower last 5 tests  % Died on Farm-lowest in the class

Opportunities  Component Composition

Recommendations  Increase fiber in diet with removing knives, adding chopped dry hay  Talk with nutritionist more regular about protein, fat, and MUN tests  Adjust ration to reduce feed costs, or increase fiber

Opportunities  Herd Reproduction

Recommendations  Use heat detection pads after 60 days to detect heat  Check for colored pads during milkings  Any cow not in heat by 81 days start on Ovsynch protocol  Use ultra sound to detect pregnancies, palpation has been some issues  Reduce age at first calving to reduce feed costs (27)

Opportunities  Transition Cows

Recommendations  Reduce stocking density  Supplemental minerals, dry low potassium bales  Clean dry cow/calving pens  Specialized diets for steam up and springers-separate in shed  Reduce Stocking Densities-Ideal capacity = 80 cows

Payback  Increase Components  From 3.6 to 3.8  $2/lb fat $34.02/day  $ /year  Increase Preg Rates  EstraDetect Pads $49.00 for 50  Goal of 20% =Value $200 per cow more  (every 1% increase is $25 per cow)  Increase Cow Comfort/Reduce Stress during Transition  Each case of ketosis ~$250 ((5/10) 1 st culled, (3) 2+ died)  More Dairy Sales