Impact Your Business with EZfeed™

Nothing impacts the health and production of a dairy cow more than nutrition. EZfeed was designed to regulate and control the feeding process in order to provide a consistent and accurate ration every feeding, every day. When ration variations are reduced, a remarkable improvement is seen in cow health and milk production.

To measure the impact that EZfeed has on dairy operations, we examined 14 dairies on DHIA test. These herds have an average size of 1,735 cows, range in size from 528 to 6,694 cows, and together total 24,580 cows. Each of the dairies adopted EZfeed at different times of year and installation dates vary over a span of three years. Data was collected for six months prior to the installation of EZfeed to establish a basis for comparison. The herds were then followed for six months after adopting EZfeed to exam the change in herd performance

After implementing EZfeed, the dairies had a dramatic increase in their annual rolling herd average milk production. The most notable change occurred during the second and third months after EZfeed was installed. The average monthly increase in annual rolling herd average during these two months was 86 lbs per month.
If we compare the increase in herd average during the six months before EZfeed to the increase in the six months after the installation of EZfeed, the impact becomes even more obvious. The left side of the graph shows the change before EZfeed and the right illustrates the changes that occurred after the installation of EZfeed. These 14 herds improved their herd average by 368 lbs. or 1.5% in just 6 months.
Improving production is only part of the benefits. Herds using EZfeed have also reduced their culling rate. If cows are healthy, they are less likely to be removed from the herd resulting in a lower cull rate.

As you can see in the chart to the right, the 14 herds in this study group had a sharp decrease in their culling rates. As with the herd average, each herd was studied for 6 months prior to EZfeed to determine current cull rates and any trends. During these 6 months, the herds’ average culling rate increased a quarter of a percent, statistically unchanged for the entire 6-month period. However, with EZfeed the cull rate began to fall starting in the second month and continued in a sharp decline.

In fact, the cull rate for 14 different herds fell an average of 2.64% over the first 6 months using EZfeed. If you have healthier cows and thus a lower culling rate, imagine the impact on your profitability. Cull rate can be easily measured and a cost easily assigned to replacement costs. However, the hidden costs associated with sick cows such as treatments, dumped milk, extra labor, loss of production, and decreased reproductive efficiency can cost a dairy far more than replacements for cull cows. The impact of EZfeed varies from dairy to dairy. It is clear that the herds implementing EZfeed have had a substantial increase in their milk production and at the same time a reduction in their culling rate.

This is what some EZfeed users have said:

“Tracking dry matter intakes on our dairy has enabled us to get more consistent and higher intakes resulting in more milk production and healthier cows. Using the EZfeed™ program we have more consistent feeding from feeder to feeder.”--(Shane Luthens of Sky View Dairy in Minnesota)

Pete Olsen of Hillside Dairy in Nevada noticed improved herd health through reducing feeder error. He said, “My new feeder had some real problems with accuracy. By using his accuracy report to show him where he needed improvement, we moved his error percentage from 6% to under 2%. That is the difference between acidosis and good cow health.”

One dairyman in New Mexico mentioned, “EZfeed was one of the best investments that I ever made, it paid for itself in 2 weeks.”

Another user in Minnesota commented that, “By reducing feeder error, we saved twelve thousand dollars in inventory the first month.”

It’s clear that EZfeed will make a difference in production and herd health, but how does this effect your bottom line? Is the investment worth it? Let’s take a look at a hypothetical herd using the numbers from our sample group. We will use a herd size of 1,000 cows, milk price of $10.00, replacement cost of $1,500, and a cull value of $400. To complete the analysis, we will assume that production increases by 1.5%, cull rate declines 2.6%, and feed cost declines .5%. Many dairies have reported feed savings of .5% to 2% through more accurate feeding.

EZfeed™ Investment Analysis

Herd Size 1000 Cow replacement value $1500.00

Milk price $10.00 Average cull cow value $400.00

Milk production per cow per day 70 Annual cull cow rate 36.00%

Feed cost per cow per day $4.00

Day Month Year

Milk Revenue $10 $7,000 $210,000 $2,555,000

Replacements per years and costs 360 $1,085 $32,548 $396,000

Feed costs per cow and totals $4 $4,000 $120,000 $1,460,000

Increased production and income 1.50% $105 $3,150 $38,325

Replacement savings by decreased cull rate 2.60% $28 $846 $10,296

Feed savings, through more accurate feeding .50% $20 $600 $7,300

Reduced treat. costs from improved health ? ? ? ?

Total savings and increased income $153 $4,596 $55,921

Cost of Investment

Cost of EZfeed™ system includes; Desktop Software (1 site), Pen tablet Software (1 site), pentablet kit (pentablet, case, cables, & adapters), onsite installation and training (2 days, 10-15 hrs.) One year telephone support $5,995

Travel expenses billed at cost; Flight, motel, meals $600

Total EZfeed™ investment; $6,595

Number of months to recapture investment 1.43

Net savings and increased annual income $49,326

Annual Return on Investment 847.93%

The impact on profitability is astounding. The initial investment in EZfeed of $6,595 is regained in just 1.43 months, that’s just 43 days. In the course of just one year, net returns total more than $50,000 or more than a 800% return.

Take the EZfeed™ Investment Analysis

As you can see EZfeed™is a proven tool you can use to help improve your herd as well as your bottom line. EZfeed can have an immediate impact on your business and profitability by helping you increase milk production and by reducing your cull rates. EZfeed can be your best tool to improve your feeding program and profitability. What would EZfeed do for your dairy?