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The Cost of Raising Dairy Replacements - 2015

Mark Hagedorn

Summary

COST OF RAISING DAIRY REPLACEMENTS-2015

Akins, M.S.1 and Hagedorn, M.A.2

1 Assistant Scientist and Dairy Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin Extension, Marshfield, WI 54449
2 Agriculture Agent, University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Eau Claire County, Altoona, WI 54720
The purpose of this fact sheet was to update previous dairy replacement cost estimates with recent feed cost data. The estimates help dairy producers and agri-business professionals better understand costs involved in raising dairy replacements and provide benchmarks for comparison. The factsheet data was prepared by conducting surveys of 36 dairy farms and custom heifer raisers in 2013 (conducted by 13 WI County Extension Agents), calculating and analyzing cost centers based on operation type and heifer weight, then summarizing the areas that highly affect production costs. This entry was prepared by Matt Akins and Mark Hagedorn and released in August 2015. Distribution occurred at regional heifer raising meetings, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, and World Dairy Expo with over 2100 fact sheets distributed. The data has been featured in 3 articles in the Agri-View and Hoard’s Dairyman which collectively reach over 80,000 subscribers in the US. In addition, the factsheet was posted on the UW Extension Dairy Team and Dairy Heifer websites with 50 page views since January 2016. The fact sheet can be viewed at http://eauclaire.uwex.edu/files/2013/10/2015-Cost-of-Raising-Replacements-Factsheet-Updated-12-10-15.pdf

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