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AgSource has worked hard over the past several years to add value to the information that members receive every month. When reports arrive each month, it is easy to look at the information as a series of separate reports that are independent of each other. However, when used together, these reports can tell a powerful story of what is happening on an operation.
Here is an example from one AgSource member. Like everyone else, they are doing all they can to make ends meet. Their DHI Field Technician encouraged the manager to run a Profit Opportunity Analyzer® and scheduled a team meeting with the consultants they worked with on a regular basis to review the results. This tool allowed team members to look at the herd performance and compare it to 80th percentile performers in their peer group. The report showed clearly where improvements needed to be made - production.
Although there are a number of areas with some problems, low production was the area demanding the most attention.
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The graph also pointed out that genetics and reproduction for heifers are strong points comparatively. The consultants, who do an excellent job analyzing fresh cow problems, did a number of measurements of the transition and post freshening areas of the facility and recommended building a new transition facility.
Yet their TCI was at the other end of the spectrum. The AgSource information pointed out that the limiting factor to this herd's production was not the transition area; it was what was happening after that.
The report made them look critically at their free stall barn. They saw a poorly ventilated six row facility with mattress stalls that were small and not well designed. Cows had numerous hock and joint injuries with persistent lameness issues.
Comparing this herd's production to peer sized operations showed that getting more production out of their cows was an area they needed to focus on. Their income per cow was very close to the bottom 20th percentile mark, and they felt they could do better.
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Investment dollars are important and the Profit Opportunity Analyzer stopped this farm's owners from spending these dollars on a transition facility with limited upside potential. Instead, they can focus time and money on remodeling their free stall barn so that it performs to the level of their present transition facility.
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