🟢 Indicators Assistant – Milk Management

Path

Reports > Indicators Monitor > Milk Management

This monitor organizes and analyzes milking data so you can interpret your herd's milk production, understand its evolution, and project results. Each section addresses a specific management need.

Global Production

Here you see the total production recorded in the system and the number of cows in milk.

• IdeasFarm calculates the average daily production per cow by dividing total milk by the number of cows in milk.
• It also determines the herd’s average days in milk to project based on the lactation curve.

Usefulness

• Gives you a real snapshot of your milking herd.
• If average production/cow is below your goal, check feeding, energy balance, and body condition.

Production Evaluations

The system identifies the day of highest production, the day of lowest production, and shows the best- and worst-performing cows in the period.

Usefulness

• Helps differentiate between individual problems (one low-producing cow) and collective issues (many cows below average).
• Allows decisions on supplementation, milking protocols, or culling evaluation.

Quality and Price Indicators

• Includes average somatic cell count (SCC) and milk price variation.
• SCC is an udder health indicator: high levels reflect subclinical mastitis.
• Price variation shows how the payment per liter changes.

Usefulness

• Alerts you if milk hygiene quality is at risk.
• Allows estimating the direct economic impact of quality on income.

Global Production Over Time

IdeasFarm organizes the information in three ways:

1. By month → shows seasonality of production.
2. By day → reflects short-term variations.
3. 305-day projection (P305) → normalizes each cow’s lactation so all are comparable, regardless of lactation stage.

Usefulness

• Allows evaluating lactation persistence.
• Detects if production drops are related to feeding, health, or climate factors.
• P305 lets you compare cows and identify top performers.

Production Projection

The system takes the herd’s average days in milk and applies a standard lactation curve to project total liters for upcoming days and per cow.

Usefulness

• Helps anticipate future milk supply.
• Supports planning sales, collection logistics, and feeding management.

305-Day Adjusted Production

IdeasFarm calculates the global milk production if all cows completed a 305-day lactation.

• The formula is based on current production, days elapsed, and projected lactation curve persistence.

Usefulness

• This standardized value allows comparison of cows at different lactation stages.
• It is a technical benchmark used in the dairy industry to measure productive potential.

Production per Animal

Shows liters produced by each cow during the period.

• IdeasFarm highlights outstanding cows and those below average.

Usefulness

• Helps make decisions on genetic selection, culling, or individual diet adjustments.

Feeding and Conversion

Displays the relationship between kg of dry matter consumed and liters of milk produced.

• Low conversion indicates efficiency (less feed per liter of milk).
• High conversion indicates inefficiency (more feed to produce the same).

Usefulness

• Connects pasture and supplementation management with milk output.
• Helps control costs and profitability margins.

Milking Efficiency

IdeasFarm measures:

• Average milking time.
• Production per unit of time (L/hour).

Usefulness

• Assesses efficiency of human labor and milking system.
• If efficiency drops, review routines, entry/exit times, and equipment condition.

Production Ranking (Top 10)

Shows the highest-producing cows during the period.

Usefulness

• Identifies high genetic and productive value cows.
• Supports prioritizing insemination programs or retaining replacements.
• Helps make culling decisions for low-performing cows.

📘 Key Glossary

• Liters/cow/day: individual efficiency average.
• SCC: somatic cell count, indicator of udder health.
• Lactation curve: production projection from calving to drying off.
• P305: production adjusted to a standard 305-day lactation.
• Feed conversion: efficiency in converting feed into milk.
• Lactation persistence: ability to maintain production after peak.

🚀 How to Use This Monitor Practically

1. Start by reviewing global and average production per cow → shows current efficiency.
2. Check evaluations → identify cows with issues or top performers.
3. Monitor quality and price → ensure milk meets standards and project income.
4. Observe production over time and P305 → measure persistence and compare cows technically.
5. Consult milk projection → plan sales and feeding in advance.
6. Evaluate feed conversion → measure real production costs.
7. Check milking efficiency → optimize processes and personnel.
8. Use production ranking → strengthen genetics and improve profitability.