Feeding practices and income over feed cost on pasture-oriented dairy farms in Louisiana

Monthly summary reports (n = 15,568) of Holstein herds enrolled in the Louisiana DHIA program from February 1984 through April 1990 were analyzed using multiple regression techniques to determine the relationships between feeding practices and income over feed cost on predominantly pasture-oriented dairy farms. Income over feed cost increased as silage and pasture quality score increased and decreased as hay and concentrate increased. Milk yield increased as silage and concentrate increased. Increased hay was associated with lower milk yield, but the overall difference was small. Comparison of feeding practices overall with the top 10% of herds based on income over feed cost indicated that most dairy farmers were not adjusting amount of concentrate to nutritional needs. Additional silage fed during late summer and fall, when permanent pastures were at lowest quality and winter pastures were not productive, improved income over feed cost and herd reproductive performance. Better utilization of concentrate by adjustment of amounts fed for milk yield, stage of lactation, and forage component of ration would increase milk yield and income over feed cost. Increased utilization of silage is suggested for better financial and productive performance of the pasture-oriented dairy farms studied.