In recent weeks a lot of feed has been "gained" by preserving it as hay or haylage. The rainy spring and beautiful weather subsequently ensured a good green fodder producution.
What a relief after 3 dry years!
The low selling price of milk is constantly under discussion. In that discussion, the own strength of the dairy farmers. What can he do himself? Is the dairy farmer a defenseless lamb?
The dairy farmer, like any entrepreneur, lives on the margin, the difference between selling price and cost price.
Winning roughage
Kijken we naar de benaming; “het winnen van ruwvoer”, bekruipt je de vraag waarvan gewonnen? Als je als boer samenwerkt met de natuur hoef je niet van de natuur te “winnen”. De manier waarop we over zaken denken, bepaalt in hoge mate hoe we er mee om gaan.
The labor technical consequences of “winning feed”
The process includes no fewer than 9 actions;
- Mowing
- Shaking
- Raking
- Chopping
- Moving the grass
- Unloading
- Ensiling
- Putting plastic
- Covering
As soon as it is going to be fed, 5 actions are added;
- Taking sand of the silage
- Taking the plastic off
- Loading the silage
- Mixing the fodder
- Transporting it to the cows
So a total of 14 actions. Then you think you are there, but the next action is already around the corner; All the food that is on the silage ends up in the pit as manure.
All in all, it takes a lot of work to “win” feed! Harvesting creates a work peak!
Accounting consequence of silage
If we look at the accounting then the result of “feeding gain”, in addition to creating a labor peak, adding costs,
Take a look at your company's accounts; Suppose you didn't “win feed”, how much costs would that save in your bookkeeping?
Costs for;
– Fuel
– Interest and depreciation of machines
– Maintenance of machines
– Labor costs
– Labor
But have you ever thought about what “winning feed” does to the liquidity of the businessmodel? Costs are incurred to preserve a product for later use.
This will only make this product liquid again, when your wife can do the shopping if the product is converted into milk.
Are there any risks;
The weather affects the quality. Ensiling lowers the VEM by around 10 to 15%. In the total process, between mowing and feeding at the feed fence, between 3 and 24% are lost. https://edepot.wur.nl/167172
Why do farmers work like this?
Traditionally, inventory is seen as a revenue. But is that a correct representation? Or is it better to see stock as debt? Stocks do not provide liquidity, but reduce it!!
You can't eat from supplies until they're sold! Until then, they pose a risk and cost money!
Het gaat op het melkveebedrijf om het maximaliseren van de Eigen Toegevoegde Waarde, de ETW. Niet de waarde van de ander, de loonwerker, de machine of de krachtvoerleverancier, nee; jou ETW.
As a link in the family chain, it is also about managing, growing and passing on the wealth stored in soil and animals to the next generation. Not as collateral to the bank, no, for the next generation.
It is about creating value, labor and costs are not value. It is also about shortening the money cycle.
How much time passes between raw material and finished product to get paid for your effort? Henry Ford managed to reduce the time between the iron ore being mined and the final product, the Model Model T on the train, to 81 hours!
How long does the production time take at your company?
Pure Graze heeft de kennis, de ervaring en de tools die jij nodig bent om de ETW van jouw bedrijf te maximaliseren doormiddel van jaarrond weiden.
Check out https://puregraze.com/product-categorie/cursuspakketten/
Good luck!
Ado Bloemendal
