Episode notes
This episode exposes the dairy industry's biggest financial trap: feed additives that promise methane reduction but reduce profitability. While DSM-Firmenich and Elanco convince producers to spend $150/cow annually, genetic leaders build permanent wealth through breeding programs that redirect wasted energy into milk production.
Key Revelations:
The Hidden Energy Drain
- Every cow wastes $300 worth of feed energy annually through methane
- 4-12% of gross energy intake lost as greenhouse gas vs. milk production
- $20,000-$60,000 wasted annually on 1,000-cow operations
Feed Additive Financial Disaster
- 3-NOP: 30% methane reduction but $0.35/cow daily income loss
- Annual shortfall: $128,320 for 1,000-cow operation
- Recurring costs: ...
Keywords
feed efficiencycattle methane reductiongenetic selection genetic selectiondairy breedingdairy profitabilityFeed efficiency in cows Dairy breeding revolutiondairy methane reductiondairy feed efficiencymethane reduction in dairy farmingfeed additives for methane reductiondairy carbon credits and methane reductionsustainable dairy breedingdairy breeding decisionsgenetic selection dairyfeed efficiency dairydairy breeding strategies