Monitor herd performance day to day with InTouch dairy RPM

Using the feed data recorded with InTouch, we can accurately monitor a dairy farm’s performance with milk data input to create a ration performance monitor (RPM).

See below for how to manually input this information, which includes milk yield (total litres in the tank per day, plus any dump milk), cows in milk, the latest butterfat and protein results, and any feed not included in the mixer wagon, such as parlour or robot cake.

An RPM monitors the farm’s performance with any ration changes. Using the past three days of loading data, it then calculates each ingredient fed out on a per-head basis. This can be used in contrast to the ration formulated to, again, monitor the farm’s accuracy of loading.

Dry matter intake is calculated for animals based on the previous day's feed-out data to one or more pens, subtracting refusals. Refusals are calculated by either weighing back into the feeder wagon or estimating on the RPM form. Results from the RPM can then be accurately used to monitor what is actually being fed to animals in comparison to the formulated diet. Some factors that can affect dry matter intake include heat stress, spells of cold weather, mycotoxins and ration presentation. 

All ingredient costs and DM% on the DTM must be up-to-date to ensure data is accurate and can be validated. The InTouch league table then allows benchmarking of figures alongside other InTouch users in the region. The table is ordered by feed conversion efficiency (FCE). A 0.1 improvement in FCE can reduce methane by 5% per litre of milk (Kebreab et al., 2003), making this a key target for profitability and meeting future requirements for reductions in methane emissions on-farm.

InTouch is also linked with UNIFORM-Agri and Dairy Data Warehouse to automatically receive the above data and create a weekly RPM. This, along with farmers manually inputting regularly, enables the nutritionist to remotely monitor the herd performance, allowing any necessary changes to be made or visits planned before herd output has reduced.

Read the previous blog article: Monitor loading accuracy with InTouch

InTouch Hub contact details

• By phone: 0800 587 3297

• By email: intouchsupportteam@alltech.com