Feed Management

Feed Management is an excellent program that all dairy farmers should be taking advantage of.  It is a Natural Resources Conservation Service program that is available nationwide, but is receiving a great deal of attention in Pennsylvania.  When farmers apply for this program they can receive $2,000/group per for the first year, $1,500/group per for the second year, and $1,100/group for the third year of the contract.  A group can be the high producing cows, low producing cows, heifer groups, etc.  Farmers can apply for up to five groups on their farm so that can be a good amount of money.  There has been $1 million set aside in Pennsylvania to cover new plan applications so there is plenty of funding available for anyone who is interested.   The payments are to cover the cost of having a feed management plan written by a certified plan writer and the quarterly follow-up that the plan writer needs to do.  In Pennsylvania, the plan writers are trained by Penn State Cooperative Extension and state extension specialists.  The goal of a feed management program is to reduce nitrogen and/or phosphorus excretion by the cows through ration alterations and/or feed management changes on the farm.  These plans are very flexible and tailored to every individual farm, and are designed to be things that the farmer is capable and willing to implement on the farm.  If you are interested in learning more about this program contact your local NRCS office.