Feed Management Solutions - EZfeed® and Pocket EZfeed
Does a proven solution exist for increased feeding efficiency and cow health, resulting in better milk production and huge savings on feed costs?
DHI-Provo's answer to this question combines the power of software and hardware and gives feed operations real options. This solution is appropriately called EZfeed® feed management software.
EZfeed software is used to feed over 1.4 million cattle. Read below to discover how this amazing product can dramatically improve your business.
Dramatically Improve Your Feed Operation
To measure the impact that EZfeed software has on dairy operations, we examined 14 dairies on a DHIA test. These herds range from 528 to 6,694 cows, averaging 1,735 cows, and together total 24,580 cows. Each of the dairies adopted the software at different times of year over three years. Data was collected for six months before the installation to establish a basis for comparison. After installation, the herds were followed for six months to examine the change in herd performance.
After implementing EZfeed software, the dairies had a dramatic increase in their rolling herd average milk production. The most notable change occurred during the second and third months after installation (Graph 1 right).
Before installation, the average monthly increase in annual rolling herd average was recorded around 86 lbs. per month. If we compare the increase in herd average during the six months before to the increase in the six months after, the impact becomes even more obvious. These 14 herds improved their herd average to 368 lbs., with an increase of 271 lbs., in just 6 months (Graph 2 right, increase shown in green).
Improving production is only part of the benefits. Operations using EZfeed software have also reduced their cull rate, indicating healthier herds.
The 14 herds in this study group had a sharp decrease in their cull rates. As with the herd average, each herd was studied for 6 months before installation to determine current cull rates and any trends. During these 6 months, the herds’ average cull rate increased a quarter of a percent, statistically unchanged for the entire 6-month period. But with the software, the cull rate began to fall starting in the second month and continued a sharp decline (Graph 3 right).
In fact, the cull rate for 14 different herds fell an average of 2.6% over the first 6 months using EZfeed software (Graph 4 right). If you have healthier cows and thus a lower culling rate, imagine the impact on your profitability. Cull rate can be easily measured and value easily assigned to replacement costs. But the hidden costs of sick cows—treatments, dumped milk, extra labor, loss of production, and decreased reproductive efficiency—can cost a dairy far more than replacements for cull cows. Of course, the impact can vary from dairy to dairy.
Clearly, the herds using EZfeed feed management software have substantially increased milk production while decreasing their cull rate.
What do users of EZfeed software say?: View Testimonials >>
Shane Luthens of Sky View Dairy, Minnesota
"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."
Pete Olsen of Hillside Dairy, Nevada
Pete noticed improved herd health through reducing feeder error. He said, "My new feeder had some real problems with accuracy." By using the EZfeed 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."
EZfeed Customer, New Mexico
"EZfeed (feed management software) was one of the best investments that I ever made, it paid for itself in 2 weeks."
EZfeed Customer, Minnesota
"By reducing feeder error, we saved twelve thousand dollars in inventory the first month."
Investment Analysis
It’s clear that DHI-Provo's EZfeed product will make a difference in production and herd health, but how does this effect your bottom line? Is the investment worth it? View Results >>
Let’s take a look at a hypothetical herd using the numbers from our sample group.
Sample Herd Size = 1,735
| Milk Price - $10.00 | Production Per Cow, Per Day - 70 |
| Cow Repacement Value - $1,200 | Feed Cost Per Cow, Per Day $4.00 |
| Average Cull Value - $400 | Annual Cull Rate - 30% |
To complete the analysis, let’s assume that production increases by 1.5%, cull rate declines 2.64%, and feed cost declines .5%. Although we're being conservative, many dairies have reported feed savings of .5% to 2% through more accurate feeding.
| Factor | Day | Month | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk Revenue | $10 | $12,145 | $364,350 | $4,432,925 |
| Replacement costs | 520.50 | $1,140.82 | $34,224.66 | $416,400 |
| Feed cost per cow | $4 | $6,940 | $208,200 | $2,533,100 |
| Improved Results With EZfeed Software | ||||
| Production increase and income | 1.5% | $182 | $5,465.25 | $66,493.88 |
| Decreased cull rate savings | 2.64% | $30.12 | $903.53 | $10,992.96 |
| Feed cost savings | .5% | $34.70 | $1,041 | $12,665.50 |
| Description | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| EZfeed Solution Costs | Software & Hardware, Installation, Training & Support | $5,799 |
| Expenses billed at cost | Approx. flight, travel & meals | $600 |
| Months to recapture investment | Less than 1 Month | .78 |
| Net savings on annual revenue | $83,753.34 | |
| Annual percent return on investment - 1,554.62 % | ||
The impact on profitability is astounding. The initial investment in EZfeed software of $5,799 is regained in less than 1 month or just 23.4 days. In just one year, net returns total over $84,000, more than a 1,500% return on investment.
You can see why EZfeed feed management software is a proven tool that can improve your production, reduce your cull rate, and increase your bottom line. What would the EZfeed product do for your dairy?
Discover more about Feed Management
To talk to a DHI-Provo associate about feed management, contact us or feel free to review the EZfeed product page.
DHI-PROVO Solutions
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Herd Improvement From Using EZfeed Software
Graph 1
Graph 2
Graph 3
Graph 4
