E254 The Grain Gamble: Why Growing Your Feed Could Make or Break Your Dairy

The decision to grow grain on dairy farms presents a complex trade-off between potential energy savings and significant financial risks that vary dramatically by operation. While Penn State research shows dairy farms producing their own grain can reduce fossil energy inputs by 15% compared to importing feed, the economics only work for specific farm profiles with sufficient scale, existing infrastructure, and management capacity. Success stories typically feature operations with 600+ cows, dedicated grain management teams, and modern storage facilities, while smaller farms often struggle to justify equipment investments that can exceed $500,000 and may take 8-15 years to provide positive returns. Before diversifying, dairy farmers must honestly assess whether grain production advances or distracts from their core mission of producing milk, as spe ...