VAS https://vas.com/ At the heart of your dairy Wed, 07 May 2025 08:51:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://vas.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/cropped-VAS_logo-small_RGB-sq-32x32.png VAS https://vas.com/ 32 32 Why high-performing mobile solutions are a game-changer for herd management https://vas.com/blog/high-performing-mobile-solutions-herd-management/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:21:31 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24468 Investing in high-performance mobile hardware can be critical as you scale your dairy operations, improving cowside data entry and driving major savings.

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Modern dairy operations rely on access to real-time data to drive efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. That’s why mobile solutions like DairyComp on Mobile and Pocket CowCard have become essential tools for herd managers. These applications bring the power of DairyComp directly to the barn, allowing users to enter health events, reproduction updates, and treatment records right at the cow’s side. With immediate access to herd data, decisions can be made faster and with greater confidence, leading to improved herd health and operational efficiency.

The effectiveness of these mobile solutions benefits greatly from the right hardware to support it.  While it may be tempting to run DairyComp’s mobile tools on basic or outdated devices, investing in high-performance mobile hardware can significantly impact efficiency and long-term cost savings, especially as operations scale up.

High-performance Mobile Devices Lead to Long-term Wins

Every producer can benefit from time savings in their workflows. As dairy farms grow, the volume of data being processed only increases with larger herds leading to more records and a greater opportunity to turn incremental improvements into major efficiencies.

High-performance mobile devices ensure that DairyComp’s mobile applications run smoothly, limiting lag and allowing real-time synchronization with DairyComp or the VAS PULSE Platform. A fast and reliable mobile device helps:

  • Eliminate Downtime: Slow devices can cause frustrating delays when entering or retrieving data, leading to inefficiencies in daily workflows.

  • Enhance Accuracy: Faster processing power means smoother input, reducing the risk of errors that could result from lagging touchscreens or delayed responses.

  • Improve Connectivity: Stronger processors and better RAM support faster syncing with cloud-based records, ensuring that all team members have up-to-date data at all times.

  • Increase Longevity: Investing in a high-quality device means fewer replacements, reducing overall technology costs over time.

A number of factors may influence what hardware you choose. Click here to see recommended technical specifications for Pocket CowCard, by herd size, and speak with your Farm Performance Consultant if you have any questions. 

RFID Technology Scales Up Your Efficiency

RFID ear tags and scanning devices eliminate manual identification entry and significantly optimize the time spent with each animal. That makes all the difference as operations scale up. 

DairyComp’s EID Manager allows you to oversee your tag inventory with ease. Make live edits to your inventory and avoid running low by setting threshold reminders. 

For faster, error-free animal lookup, both DC on Mobile and Pocket CowCard integrate with RFID wands. DairyComp users are able to purchase many of these directly through VAS, with a a range of options across brands and wand length, including a 1.35-meter long RFID wand to support workflows on dairies with carousel decks, management rails and stanchion locks. Learn more about those options by clicking here.

The Bottom Line: Speed Saves Money

The difference between a high-performance mobile device and a sluggish one isn’t just convenience—it’s measurable time and money saved. When herd managers and employees can quickly input and access data, they spend less time troubleshooting technology and more time making informed decisions that directly impact herd productivity and profitability.

For dairies committed to efficiency, accuracy, and growth, pairing DairyComp with the right mobile solution can be a game-changer. By investing in the appropriate devices, operations can ensure their herd management software delivers maximum value, keeping them ahead in an increasingly data-driven industry.

More on Mobile Herd Solutions

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]]> Your farm, your data: How to protect it and make it work for you https://vas.com/blog/protecting-your-dairy-data/ Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:40:41 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24423 You leverage data everyday to drive your dairy forward, but have you ever paused to consider how you’re protecting it?

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Your farm, your data: How to protect it and make it work for you

Data is one of the most valuable assets on your farm. When it’s accurately recorded, organized and connected to actionable insights, it enables smarter, more profitable decisions.

Protecting your data is essential to achieving success. By safeguarding it, you’re empowered to make better decisions, avoid risk and demonstrate sustainability practices to your supply chain partners. Ensuring your data is securely stored, transparently managed and in your full control also gives you peace of mind and time to focus on your herd.

Your data is always yours

As the makers of DairyComp, the industry’s first-of-its-kind herd management solution, VAS operates with a clear principle: You own the farm data entered into DairyComp and maintain ultimate control over its use. This is a foundational commitment you should look for in any technology your dairy uses.  

You should know that your identifiable data will never be shared without your explicit consent. Double-check your contracts and agreements to ensure this is the case. For example, VAS uses a detailed end-user license agreement (EULA) to outline data usage rights and ensure transparency and accountability with their customers. Additionally, customers have the ability to turn on and off integrations with other on-farm technologies, giving complete control over how data is accessed

Ways you can protect your data

Choosing the right data partners is critical for safeguarding your data, but there are additional steps you can take to proactively protect it. Here are some things to consider:

Physical security

Limit access to sensitive areas like farm offices and computer rooms. To secure these spaces, consider implementing access controls such as locks or security cameras.

Cybersecurity best practices

Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and systems, and ensure they are updated regularly. Enable two-factor authentication where possible and keep all software, including antivirus programs, updated. 

Access management

Keep a detailed record of who has access to your data, including employees, consultants and third-party vendors. Regularly review this list to ensure it is current and accurate. When someone leaves the organization or no longer requires access, revoke their permissions to minimize potential risks. Also, double-check the access levels of those who can see and edit your data. If someone should only be able to view data, their access level should reflect that. VAS technology includes these features as part of the system, giving users full control and visibility over their data.

Find a trusted partner

Protecting your data requires more than secure technologies—it demands a trusting partnership. A reliable partner will offer secure data storage systems, encrypted communications and access controls to ensure only authorized individuals can access sensitive information.  

VAS software provides a clear audit trail that details who accesses data and when. It also requires secure logins to prevent unauthorized access. 

“Trust is built over time through proven reliability,” says Kevin Muxlow, COO of URUS, in this episode of the American Dairymen podcast on farm data security. VAS is proud to have a 42-year history serving dairy farmers and has worked diligently to gain and maintain trust. Before investing in new technology, consider a partner’s reputation and explore other farmers’ experiences with them. 

By taking proactive steps to safeguard your data and aligning with trusted partners, you can confidently harness the full potential of your data to better manage your farm while protecting this valuable asset.  

Make sure you’re taking full advantage of your VAS technology to secure your data. Contact your local farm performance consultant or the VAS support team to get your on-farm data protection plan in place.  

Contact Support

Not a VAS customer? Reach out to learn how VAS protects your data and empowers you through secure and transparent data management.

Explore herd management options

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]]> How calf data paves the way for a thriving herd  https://vas.com/blog/how-calf-data-paves-the-way-for-a-thriving-herd/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:26:16 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24393 Proper calf management lays the foundation for lifetime productivity. Get your calves off to the right start with these data tracking tips.

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How calf data paves the way for a thriving herd

Proper management during a calf’s early days lays the foundation for lifetime success and helps unlock its full potential. Using herd management software like DairyComp or MyDC on PULSE to record calf and heifer data can provide valuable insights to fine-tune your program and measure progress.  

Why early health events matter

Setbacks in calfhood have lasting effects on an animal’s productivity. For example, imagine you’re weaning a group of calves, and five of them, who suffered from scours, are now 40 to 50 pounds behind their peers.  

That single health event is the start of a ripple effect of setbacks, impacting the animals’ productivity for months and even years to come. If those scours events were never recorded, though, you may be left guessing why those animals are underperforming later in life.  

Having calf and heifer data allows you to pinpoint areas of improvement in your program. If you’re new to calf data recording, start with these critical metrics: 

Calfhood Diseases

Scours and pneumonia are the most common calfhood diseases. Tracking these events can help identify contributing factors and provide context for the impact of these diseases – such as reduced growth rates or increased mortality. This information helps connect calf health to milk production and reproductive performance. 

Serum Total Protein

This metric serves as a “report card” for passive transfer of immunity through colostrum. If calves experience a failure of passive transfer, testing colostrum quality using a Brix refractometer can narrow down the issue. Is the colostrum of high quality, but feeding delayed? Are feeding tools sanitized properly? Collecting serum total protein data can pinpoint areas for improvement in colostrum management 

Weight Measurement

Monitoring weights at birth, weaning, breeding and calving ensures calves hit growth milestones. Regularly monitoring weight helps you spot growth deviations early, allowing you to make management adjustments, like optimizing breeding timelines, to boost production potential. 

Use data to drive actionable improvement

Start by prioritizing the data points that will have the greatest impact on your calf program. By focusing on a few key metrics, you can make incremental improvements and monitor the effect of the changes along the way.  

Equally important, yet often overlooked, is having clear definitions and protocols. When defining disease events and protocols, make sure everyone on your team is aligned. For example, is a scours case defined by runny manure, refusal to drink milk or a temperature increase? How will you record the treatment in your herd management program?  

Once you’ve set your priorities and communicated with your team, the next step is to gather high-quality, accurate data. This is where having the right herd management software can make all the difference. VAS mobile solutions make it easier to collect calf data efficiently, accurately and on the go.  

These tools, available to DairyComp users, help monitor vaccinations, track weight gains and efficiently address treatment needs to achieve long-term success for each animal. 

Ready to maximize your herd’s potential? Contact your local farm performance consultant or the VAS support team to learn how the right tools can help your calves achieve more. 

Contact Support

Not a VAS customer? Reach out to discover how our herd management solutions can be personalized for your farm’s calf care needs. 

Explore herd management options

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]]> Are you listening to your cows? https://vas.com/blog/are-you-listening-to-your-cows/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:01:54 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24390 Ask yourself these four questions to better understand what your cows and data are telling you.

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Comfortable cows are generally healthier, more productive and less stressed – and it’s no secret that cow comfort directly influences milk production and your bottom line. A recent study shows that for every hour of lying time beyond 10 hours, cows can produce up to 3.5 more pounds of milk per day.¹ 

But you can’t ask every cow if she’s getting enough rest. 

“Cows can’t say how they feel, so you need to rely on behavior and data to understand their needs,” says Rosa DePriest, dairy support team lead at VAS. “By listening to what your cows tell you through data, you can create a more comfortable environment for your herd to thrive.” 

Optimizing for cow comfort begins with asking the right questions and leveraging your herd’s data to implement a solution. Here are four questions to ask yourself to evaluate, monitor and improve your herd’s comfort:

1. How much time do your cows spend standing versus lying down?

Your cows’ standing and lying patterns are key indicators of their comfort.

“When a cow isn’t being milked, she should be at the feed bunk or laying down,” says DePriest. “Monitoring systems, which can be easily integrated with your herd management system, compare cow behavior with standards for optimum conditions and previous behavior patterns. They flag changes or abnormalities, prompting you to investigate further.”

Extended standing times can indicate stall design issues, overcrowding or stall and bedding management issues – such as not cleaning pens and beds often enough or using adequate bedding.

If you notice longer standing times, start by evaluating your stalls. Look at stall structure, bedding and stocking density to identify where the problems are.

Longer standing times can also indicate health problems like lameness, which impacts more than cows’ mobility. Globally, lameness results in a $6 billion loss in milk production, fertility and increased culling.²

“Lameness is a low-hanging fruit in cow comfort management,” says DePriest. “Using herd management software, you can track hoof health events, flag problem cows, build hoof care lists, spot deviations in activity levels and take preventive measures before they become a bigger issue.”

2. Are you optimizing your stocking density?

Overcrowding can disrupt your cows’ ability to rest, eat and ruminate. By using herd management software like DairyComp you can customize your reports to provide specific insights into your pens. With these reports, you can track and analyze pen size and milk production to identify the optimal stocking density for your cows and barns. 

“I worked with a dairy that wanted to scale back their herd size to meet their reduced production quota,” says DePriest. “Instead of seeing a drop in milk production, they unexpectedly saw an increase. After some investigation, we realized their pens had been overstocked. By removing cows, the herd was closer to an optimal stocking density. This increased milk production per cow per day.” 

You can find the right balance between cow comfort and utilizing your barn space by tracking milk production and other important herd data before and after management changes. Granting your consultants permission to review and access this data via the cloud also helps ensure well-informed management decisions. 

3. How efficient are you with your cows’ time?

The less time cows spend confined and handled by people, the better. Unnecessary confinement time can cause stress for cows, negatively impacting milk production. 

“For a cow to be productive and profitable, we want to give her time to do her thing – eat, rest and produce milk,” says DePriest. “Many tools are available to help minimize disruption to cow routines and increase efficiency. Options range from small things like mobile herd management solutions and RFID wand readers to larger tools like automatic sort gates and parlor systems.” 

Going mobile allows for rapid cowside data entry and quick access to your herd’s information, offering new opportunities to boost efficiency by combining tasks or approaching them differently. With mobile management solutions, you can quickly see which cows need vaccinations and treatments, reduce confinement time and keep them moving through the pen. Pairing mobile herd management with an RFID reader and tags can also make herd checks and worklists easier, faster and more accurate. 

Automatic sort gates and parlor systems like ParlorBoss help minimize disruption by only sorting out cows that require attention. 

Ziegler Dairy Farm saves hours of pen-walking by leveraging ParlorBoss to identify cows and efficiently complete tasks directly on the rotary. The 1,070-cow Wisconsin dairy improved compliance by nearly 8% and their pregnancy rate by 9% with the system. 

“It shaved off so much time,” says Steve Ziegler. “We increased milk production and have fewer hoof issues because of the reduced confinement time.” 

4. How much does weather impact your herd?

Heat stress can have a negative ripple effect on reproduction, milk production and herd health. 

“With herd management software, you can track milk yield, somatic cell count and reproduction metrics like conception rates and pregnancy rates and correlate data with weather patterns,” says DePriest. “This historical analysis can help you focus on when and how your cows are most impacted by heat and plan and prepare better to mitigate the weather’s impact.” 

Many heat stress mitigation strategies are easy to implement. For instance, double-check your summer management plan to ensure simple tasks are completed, such as cleaning and maintaining fans, ensuring adequate water availability, and confirming misters and curtains work. 

In addition to keeping your cows cool, other management practices can help reduce heat’s greater impact. For example, DePriest worked with a farm that noticed a spike in mastitis health events over multiple summers. In addition to their cooling management practices, they evaluated teat dip products and switched to sand bedding to further manage their mastitis cases. 

Implement a change and monitor the impact

First, focus on improving cow comfort for your most significant challenges. Whether it’s heat abatement, lameness or optimizing pen layout, use your data to prioritize and track the effectiveness of changes you implement. 

“The key is to tackle one change at a time and focus on incremental changes,” says DePriest. “If you make too many management changes at once, it is much harder to identify what change made the impact.” 

Ask yourself, ‘Was this change effective?’ and continue to track before-and-after data to optimize your herd management further. 

Connect with your local farm performance consultant or contact VAS support to explore how data-driven insights can elevate cow comfort and drive long-term success on your dairy. 

Contact Support

Not a VAS customer? Get in touch to learn how our herd management solutions can be tailored to help you achieve your farm’s specific goals.

Explore herd management options
¹ Grant, R., & Miner, W. H. (2015). Economic benefits of improved cow comfort. Novus International, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.novusint.com  
² Rasmussen, P., Barkema, H. W., Osei, P. P., Taylor, J., Shaw, A. P., Conrady, B., Chaters, G., Muñoz, V., Hall, D. C., Apenteng, O. O., Rushton, J., & Torgerson, P. R. (2024). Global losses due to dairy cattle diseases: A comorbidity-adjusted economic analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(9), 6945–6970. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-24626 

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]]> Boost fresh cow performance by turning data into actions https://vas.com/blog/boost-fresh-cow-performance-by-turning-data-into-actions/ Fri, 31 Jan 2025 18:21:41 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24351 Optimize your transition cow management with these three tips to boost productivity and performance.

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Boost fresh cow performance by turning data into actions

Dairy replacement heifer numbers have fallen almost 15% over the last six years, reaching a 20-year low, according to the USDA. With this smaller-than-ever replacement herd, a strong fresh cow program has never been more critical. Now more than ever, optimizing lactation performance and minimizing health challenges is essential to keeping cows productive for longer. Leveraging data-driven insights is the key to proactively managing fresh cows and achieving your herd goals.

“To give fresh cows the best start, monitor them before they freshen and focus on proactive actions. When challenges arise, be prepared to react quickly,” says Craig Walter, senior educator at VAS. “With the right herd management tools, you can identify cows that need more support. By tracking changes in health and reproduction trends, you can ensure your entire team is on the same page.”

Here are three practical tips for using data insights to give your fresh cows the best start to their lactation:

1. Build an accurate data foundation

Timely and accurate data entry is the foundation for effective fresh cow management. Accurately and consistently recording health events, milk production and reproductive performance allows you to identify issues early and make informed decisions.

“I worked with a farm that was recording a ketosis rate of nearly 70%,” shares Walter. “They were giving calcium boluses as a preventative measure, but after reviewing the data, I noticed they were recording this preventative care as a health event. We adjusted their protocols and their rates moved back to normal ranges.”

Accurate data entry is the first step to building a proficient and profitable fresh cow management program. Ensure accurate data by educating your employees and emphasizing the importance of compliance and consistency with data entry and treatments.

2. Quickly find and address problems as they appear

Effectively managing fresh cows requires addressing issues as they arise. Herd management software, like DairyComp, offers real-time, customizable tools and reports to help you quickly intervene and manage fresh cows when health-related challenges occur.

Weekly reports

Comparing weekly overview reports can help you spot minor deviations before they become more significant problems. These weekly reports, which include data on health events, treatments and more, help you react faster to fresh cow trends.

“By customizing these weekly reports, you can focus on critical areas like activity monitoring, rumination and health events like mastitis and milk fever,” says Walter. “Focusing on these key areas makes it easier to manage your fresh cows and ensure you meet your management goals.”

Weekly reports help you to quickly see sudden drops in production or increases in health events. This allows you to pinpoint the cause of the spike, whether it is due to environmental influences or management changes.

Health-focused tracking

Health-focused insights in herd management software can equip you with more information to make the best health management decisions. These tools allow you to gain insights into your herd’s health, compare your data with peer performance, evaluate the cost of health events and stay in the know with real-time alerts.

Fresh cows are most vulnerable to health events in the first 30 days of transition. Using herd management software with health-focused features, easily track the most common health issues, such as milk fever, ketosis, metritis and mastitis and be alerted when trends are above your thresholds. These alerts inform your entire team, including consultants, and enable them to respond quickly.

3. Use data to proactively manage your fresh cows

Proactive management allows you to stay ahead of issues, ensuring fresh cows transition smoothly, recover quickly and contribute effectively to the herd’s overall success. It’s about setting your cows up for long-term productivity through strategic, timely and data-driven care.

Historical data

Identifying and analyzing trends within historical data can reveal which cows are prone to health challenges during transition. By identifying these outliers, you can give them extra care and attention to prevent recurring issues.

A big-picture view of all your data is great for general management, but sometimes you need to dig deeper into your data.

“Customization is the best thing in a herd management software,” says Walter. “I recommend farms pull a custom report of past health events and treatments to help flag any problem cows before freshening. This helps pinpoint cows that require closer monitoring and preventative care, ultimately reducing treatment costs in the long run.”

Easily filter data by stage of lactation to focus specifically on fresh cows. Monitoring 30-, 60- and 90-day trends can help track recovery and performance, ensuring your cows are on the right path.

Hospital and worklists

Hospital and work lists, like those used during herd checks, provide a practical framework for implementing these insights. They allow you to focus attention where needed most, ensuring every cow gets the support required for optimal health and performance. These lists also create efficiencies with workflows.

For example, a farm Walter works with previously walked the fresh cow pen, temping and checking cows for ketosis based on fresh dates and physical appearance. To streamline management, they now use their herd management software to make a fresh cow checklist to keep a closer eye on and record those animals for the first 21 days. After that period, those cows drop off the list unless they are treated or re-added.

Set the stage

Fresh cow management is the cornerstone of your herd’s success and current industry trends only add to its importance. By focusing on accurate data, timely intervention and proactive care, you can help your fresh cows have a smooth transition and long-term productivity.

Reach out to your farm performance consultant or the VAS support team to explore the tools and features that can make your fresh cow management more efficient, productive and profitable in 2025 and beyond.

Contact Support

Not a VAS customer? Get in touch to learn how our herd management solutions can be tailored to help you achieve your farm’s specific goals.

Explore herd management options

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]]> Harvest season success: 5 tips to keep your dairy running smoothly https://vas.com/blog/harvest-season-success-5-tips-to-keep-your-dairy-running-smoothly/ Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:02:00 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24345 From establishing workflows and reducing bottlenecks to eliminating user error, see how you can set your dairy up for success this harvest season.

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Harvest season can be one of the most critical and busiest times for a dairy farm. With long days, unpredictable weather and a steady stream of trucks hauling feed, the stakes are high. 

One of the biggest challenges during harvest is ensuring accurate tracking of inventory and loads. When done manually with pen and paper, mistakes happen—leading to missing or incorrect data, wasted time and potential financial losses. However, with the right planning and digital tools, you can turn harvest season into an opportunity to optimize efficiency and reduce stress.

Here are five strategies to keep your dairy farm running smoothly this harvest season.

1. Plan Ahead: Set Up Clear Workflows for Tracking Loads and Inventory

Harvest season moves fast, and without a solid plan in place things can get chaotic. Before the season kicks off, ensure that everyone on your team knows their role and that you have a system in place for tracking every load.

✅ Establish a central tracking system – Whether it’s a fully automated and integrated digital solution like WeighComp or another inventory management tool, all load data should be recorded consistently in one place.
✅ Train your team in advance – Make sure truck drivers, equipment operators and farm managers are aligned on procedures, from recording weights to managing chopper data.
✅ Set expectations for accuracy – Instruct workers on the importance of tracking dry matter content, load weights and operator performance to prevent inefficiencies later.

2. Optimize Your Scale Operations: Reduce Bottlenecks and Eliminate Errors

The scale is one of the most critical points in the harvest workflow. If truck loads are delayed, misrecorded or inefficiently managed, it can lead to major setbacks. Traditional paper tracking or manual data entry is prone to human error, causing discrepancies that impact your overall inventory accuracy.

✅ Use a digital scale system – WeighComp integrates directly with your scale, ensuring that each load is recorded in real-time without manual data entry.
✅ Streamline truck transactions – Instead of requiring a scale attendant to track weights, WeighComp’s Driver App has an intuitive interface that allows drivers to record loads quickly and accurately – without ever leaving the truck.
✅ Keep everything traceable – With digital records, you can easily audit every load of feed, silage or manure that crosses the scale, reducing risk and improving transparency.

3. Leverage Technology for Efficiency: Harvest-Ready Mobile Tools

Harvest season is hectic, and stopping to manually record load data slows everything down. Mobile solutions can help drivers and operators capture information instantly—without disrupting the workflow.

✅ Enable drivers to log data from the cab – WeighComp’s Driver App allows drivers to enter load data directly from their smartphone, eliminating the need to exit the vehicle or rely on a scale attendant.
✅ Minimize paperwork and delays – Digital tools reduce time-consuming paperwork, so you can focus on monitoring operations instead of chasing down missing records.
✅ Improve team communication – When all data is stored in a centralized platform that’s easily accessible, everyone stays informed without constant check-ins or guesswork.

4. Keep an Eye on Feed Costs: Maximize Traceability and Reduce Waste

With feed costs accounting for over 60% of a farm’s total expenses, every ton of silage matters. Lost, untracked or misallocated feed can significantly impact your bottom line. Keeping an accurate digital record ensures you know exactly where your feed is going and how it’s being used.

✅ Monitor dry matter shrinkage – Tracking feed weights and moisture content helps prevent shrink losses and keeps feeding programs accurate.

✅ Ensure fair transactions – When buying or selling feed, manure or cattle, digital records provide transparency, so you can spot discrepancies.
✅ Use analytics to plan ahead – WeighComp provides real-time insights into feed movements and inventory levels, allowing you to make informed purchasing and usage decisions.

5. Review and Improve: Post-Harvest Assessments for Future Success

Once the season wraps up, take time to review what worked well and what could be improved. Small adjustments to workflow, technology use and tracking methods can make a huge difference in next year’s efficiency.

✅ Analyze scale data for inefficiencies: Were there consistent bottlenecks? Were there discrepancies in recorded loads? Use your digital transaction history to pinpoint problem areas.
✅ Assess chopper and operator performance: WeighComp’s Chopper feature allows you to track yields and monitor operator efficiency, helping to refine processes for the future.
✅ Make data-driven decisions for next year: A well-documented harvest season gives you the insights needed to plan smarter, reduce waste and increase overall productivity next time.

Harvest Smarter with the Right Tools

Harvest season doesn’t have to be a stressful, inefficient scramble. By planning ahead, leveraging digital tracking tools like WeighComp and continuously improving your processes, you can maximize efficiency, reduce costly errors and gain greater control over your farm’s feed costs.

Want to see how WeighComp can streamline your harvest operations? Schedule a demo today to learn more about WeighComp’s harvest features.

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]]> Are you capturing the full genetic potential of your calves? https://vas.com/blog/capture-your-calves-genetic-potential/ Fri, 13 Dec 2024 19:55:54 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24264 Genetics are important, but effective management practices are key to ensuring your calves reach their full potential. Learn how calfside technology can help you collect the right data to make informed decisions that set your calves up for long-term success.

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Are you capturing the full genetic potential of your calves?

Whether you’re running a commercial operation or breeding for elite, high-type individuals, you likely invest significant time, effort and money into selecting the best matings for your cows. While genetics play an important role, they’re only part of the equation when it comes to building your herd’s next generation. In the end, your management practices determine whether your calves reach their full genetic potential.

Leverage data to optimize your management practices and set your calves up for long-term success in the herd.

The ripple effect of a single health event

In a recent VAS webinar, Dr. Mike Nagorske, director of research at SCCL, shared an eye-opening example involving five genetically identical clone calves. Despite receiving the same milk replacer, care and management from day one, two calves weaned 40-50 pounds lighter than their siblings. The culprit? Scours.

This highlights how even one health setback can disrupt a calf’s development. What’s even more concerning is that these early health events often have a ripple effect, impacting the animal’s performance as she matures into adulthood.

Is your calf management holding back milk production?

To set calves on the path to success, a strong start is a must. According to Dr. Nagorske, most calf health challenges can be grouped into three main categories. Let’s break down these bottlenecks and explore their long-term impact on your herd’s productivity.

Scours

Calves that avoid scours aren’t just healthier – they’re more profitable. Studies show they produce about 716 more pounds of milk in their first lactation and experience higher average daily gains. On the flip side, calves that experience scours are at a higher risk of complications down the road, including respiratory diseases. In fact, these calves are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop respiratory issues, further hindering their ability to reach full potential.

Respiratory Issues

Lung issues in heifers could cost you 1,157 pounds of milk per first-lactation animal. Is that a risk you’re willing to take? A study of over 14,000 calves found that those treated for pneumonia in their first 120 days not only produced less milk but also saw an increase in culling rates. Specifically, 35% of heifers with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) were culled before calving, compared to just 17% of those without it.

Colostrum Management

“The first few hours of a calf’s life are a critical window of opportunity,” emphasizes Dr. Nagorske. Failing to administer colostrum during this window can lead to far-reaching consequences, potentially costing you up to $1,500 per calf. Nearly half of that loss is directly tied to reduced milk production in the first two lactations. Proper colostrum management is the first step in protecting your investment and ensuring that each calf gets the best possible start for a lifetime of high performance.

Where to start

From birth to weaning, there are countless data points that can be collected on your calves. But should you track them all? Collecting data takes time and resources, which can be limited on the farm. More importantly, data is only useful if it leads to action.

Instead, Dr. Nagorske recommends prioritizing a few data points. Focus on the bottlenecks in your calf program – those areas where solving a single issue can drive the biggest impact. By narrowing your focus, you can make incremental improvements that optimize your program over time.

How to make data work for you

Once you’ve identified the bottlenecks you want to focus on, it’s time to collect the right data. Here’s where technology can make all the difference.

VAS mobile solutions make it easier for your calf team to collect data efficiently, accurately and on the go. VAS offers a variety of mobile tools, included in your DairyComp subscription, so you can choose the one that best fits your team’s needs. Here’s how they work:

  • Pocket CowCard: Scan a calf’s RFID tag to instantly access her information on a mobile device and manage tasks. You can check off completed tasks or add notes in real time, making it quick and hassle-free.

  • DC on Mobile: This cloud-based app allows for offline data entry and easy synchronization when a connection is available. It works on both Android and iOS, giving your team the flexibility to manage calves and worklists from anywhere.

Whether you’re tracking vaccinations, monitoring weight gains or identifying treatment needs, mobile tools offer a convenient way to gather data and gain more visibility into your calf program. This data not only helps improve current calf care practices but also provides insight into a cow’s entire lifetime of events once she reaches milking age.

As Craig Walter, VAS senior educator, says, “If you don’t track the data, you can’t measure progress – and without measurement, there’s no way to improve.”

Ready to maximize your herd’s potential? Get in touch with VAS support or your farm performance consultant to learn how the tools and features in your DairyComp or MyDC on PULSE subscription can help you achieve more.

Not a VAS customer yet, but want to know how our technology can enhance your calf management? Contact us today, and our team will reach out to discuss your herd management needs.

Let's Talk

The post Are you capturing the full genetic potential of your calves? appeared first on VAS.

]]> Ditch the office: Manage your herd from anywhere https://vas.com/blog/manage-from-anywhere-with-cloud-based-solutions/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:57:29 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24240 With cloud-based and mobile herd management tools, you can streamline workflows, enhance efficiency and stay in control of your herd, even when you’re away from the farm.

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Ditch the office: Manage your herd from anywhere

Papers scattered across the desk in haphazard piles. Filing cabinets filled with outdated records and herd data. Results from past herd checks that haven’t been entered into the computer yet. While most of us have likely encountered one or more of these in our own space at some point, it can make productivity and real-time decision-making feel almost impossible to achieve.   

Herd management software like DairyComp and MyDC on PULSE can make it easier to gather, organize and use data to make profitable decisions. With mobile tools, you can manage your herd on the go, staying connected and in control no matter where you are. 

Mobile herd management solutions are designed to enhance data management, workflows and efficiencies from any location. Improve the way you manage your herd with these cloud-based and mobile solutions tips: 

Access data from anywhere at any time

A common misconception is that for a dairy to succeed, the farmer must always be at the farm or able to be there at the drop of a hat. With the right team and herd management solution, you can still successfully manage your farm when you’re away.

For example, after a tragic accident, a California dairy farmer found himself running his brother’s 850-cow herd. Living three hours from the farm and unable to be there every day, he needed a way to keep up with the dairy. DairyComp, with its cloud-based herd management capabilities, was his answer.

As he notices issues or trends, like pregnancy rates lower than his threshold, he further investigates the data and consults with his herd manager for additional context. Together, they find the source of the issue and plan a solution. All this analysis occurs in real-time, three hours from the farm.

Reap the many benefits of going mobile

Going mobile allows for rapid cowside data entry and quick access to your herd’s information, offering new opportunities to boost efficiency by combining tasks or approaching them differently. VAS mobile solutions can enhance the workflow of your dairy in numerous ways, including:  

  • Compliance. Going mobile helps ensure the procedures and protocols on your farm are carried out correctly and in a timely manner. With mobile entry, the system automatically records a timestamp when an animal is checked off and notes who performed the task. This fosters transparency while keeping your team connected and held accountable.  

  • Accuracy. Mobile solutions make it easier to verify your data and catch errors faster. Have you or a team member ever mistakenly recorded the incorrect breeding? Writing 654 instead of 645? VAS’ cowside mobile solution would’ve flagged that 654 is dry, indicating an input error.  

  • Speed. Using a mobile herd solution can help take tasks that require two to three passes through a pen down to just one. With mobile access to cow information, you can easily see all treatments and procedures a cow needs and do them in one pass-through. Automatic prompts and faster data entry can also help you reduce lockup time and make workflows more efficient.   

  • Efficiency. With mobile entry, flipping through and wrestling with papers, writing information down and returning to your office to enter it into your software is a thing of the past. Mobile herd management allows you and your team to enter and access data easily at any time and from anywhere.  

These time savings and improved efficiencies can also lead to more dollars saved. One Wisconsin dairy doubled their herd size in a year and needed a better way to manage and access cow information. They looked to mobile tools included in their DairyComp subscription to find a solution.  

Using the cowside data entry feature and moving away from using a clipboard, it took them less time to complete DHIA testing. They saved an hour for each test and an hour’s worth of work for the tester as the data could be easily downloaded and shared. As a result, they realized savings with their bill.   

They also experienced similar efficiencies and savings with vet checks. With mobile access to data, they could easily see which cows needed vaccinations and treatments. This helped reduce lock-up time and kept cows moving through the pen. Overall, vet checks took around an hour less, saving them money on their vet bills.   

Address your internet concerns

Some rural communities still face challenges with getting high-quality internet access. While this may be a concern when considering mobile and cloud-based solutions, it doesn’t have to be. VAS’ cloud and mobile solutions offer offline mode. Regardless of your internet connection, you never need to worry about the safety of your data.

Solutions with offline capabilities allow you to continue working even if steel barns impact your connection, you are too far from your Wi-Fi router, your data plan runs low or your internet is down. The data from breedings, vet checks, or other tasks is saved on your device as you go, and once you have a stable internet connection again or a wired connection to your on-farm system, the data will sync and process.

Some herd management software, like DairyComp and MyDC on PULSE, also provide the best of both worlds – the reliability of a local, PC-based solution and the convenience and flexibility of cloud-based and mobile access. These hybrid solutions ensure you have continued access to critical functions when your internet isn’t stable while providing the benefit of accessing your data anywhere.

Take your mobile herd management to the next level

Even if you already use VAS mobile solutions, regularly revisit your workflows to tap into even more efficiencies.   

For example, pairing mobile herd management with an RFID reader and tags can make herd checks and worklists easier, faster and more accurate. You can also find efficiencies by tailoring herd management software to automatically assign processes on the backend. This removes extra data input, shaving off time working animals and in the office.   

To truly get the full benefit from your mobile and cloud-based herd management solutions, make sure you are utilizing all the tools available to you. A few often overlooked features include:  

  • Alerts: Receive email or text notifications when key performance indicators trend higher or lower than defined thresholds  

  • Insights: Dial into essential areas of your dairy, like herd health and reproduction, to improve your bottom line  

  • Consolidation of information: Integrate with other on-farm technologies and organizations, from milk meters to milk plant data and activity monitors to feed information, to create a comprehensive view of your herd without the hassle of switching between multiple programs   

Find the right herd management partner

Finding a herd management software team that will provide the support and guidance you need when you need it can take your herd management solutions to the next level. 

Seek out a trusted partner with a product that creates efficiencies at your dairy. If you are looking to create a specific automation or modify a workflow, your partner should be ready to customize existing solutions to meet your dairy’s unique needs.  

For VAS customers, take advantage of the free support during business hours included in your subscription. Contact the VAS support team to explore mobile and cloud-based solutions that will work best with your existing systems and how to continue improving your workflow. 

Contact Support

Not a VAS customer? Reach out to discuss how our herd management tools can be customized to streamline your farm operations and give you the flexibility to manage your herd from anywhere.

Customize your herd management

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]]> Why does my reproductive data seem random? https://vas.com/blog/why-does-my-repro-data-seem-random/ Fri, 22 Nov 2024 22:36:37 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24187 Struggling to make sense of your reproductive data? Discover how your analysis methods could be influencing your insights and decision-making.

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Why does my reproductive data seem random?

If you flip a coin, what are the odds of landing on heads? How about tails?  

While you might expect a 50-50 chance, Dr. Paul Fricke, Professor of Dairy Science and Extension Specialist in Dairy Cattle Reproduction at UW-Madison, shares why that expectation isn’t always realistic. In a recent VAS webinar, he described an experiment by John Kerrich, who tested this assumption by flipping a coin repeatedly. When Kerrich flipped it just 10 times, heads came up 40% of the time. As he continued, results fluctuated – reaching over 55% and then dipping to 45% at 100 flips. It wasn’t until he flipped the coin 1,000 times that the results hovered closer to the anticipated 50-50 split.  

So, why does this matter? For dairy farmers, it highlights an important lesson rooted in the Law of Small Numbers, a principle that sheds light on why your reproductive data can sometimes appear random.  

Why repro data is like a coin toss

We’ve all been there – you finish a preg check, and the results week to week feel about as unpredictable as a coin toss. But before jumping to conclusions, it’s worth taking a step back. Just like in Kerrich’s experiment, evaluating reproduction data from a small sample size can lead to skewed conclusions. Dr. Fricke explains that when you focus on only a few data points, any pattern can appear exaggerated, creating a “small sample size effect.” This effect can easily mislead farmers into making decisions based on a snapshot that doesn’t accurately reflect the bigger picture.

Consider a 150-cow farm, for example. If one week’s conception rate comes in lower than expected, only to improve the following week, it may seem like there’s significant fluctuation. But often, these variations are simply due to the limited sample size and don’t necessarily indicate a true trend in reproductive performance.

How this impacts your decision-making

Dr. Fricke cautions that relying on small data samples can lead to hasty and even unnecessary changes. He suggests evaluating reproductive performance over a larger sample size instead. By analyzing more data points over time, you’re more likely to identify actual trends and avoid adjustments that may not genuinely benefit your herd.

Here are some tips to guide effective reproductive analysis:

  • Give your data time to tell the story. Focus on long-term trends rather than short-term fluctuations. The smaller your farm, the more time it takes for your data to accumulate and accurately reflect meaningful patterns.

  • Avoid frequent management changes. Making too many adjustments at once can make it difficult to assess the impact.

  • Expect variation. No matter the size of your dairy, minor fluctuations are normal. Focus on broader patterns rather than individual weeks or small sample sizes.

  • Take it a step further. Want solid evidence that changes to your reproductive program are actually effective? If possible, Dr. Fricke recommends running a randomized controlled trial, comparing a control group and an experimental group, to confirm whether the adjustment drives an actual change.

Leverage DairyComp to see the bigger picture

Craig Walter, VAS senior educator, recommends using DairyComp’s BREDSUM reports to gain a thorough understanding of your herd’s reproductive metrics. BREDSUM allows you to track essential data, like breeding counts, conception rates, pregnancy status, abortions and more. With DairyComp, you can also apply filters to analyze these metrics by specific factors like breeding technician, protocol or sire – helping you customize the data to dig into the metrics you want. DairyComp’s flexible reporting options offer both tables and color-coded graphs, making it easy to view the data your way.

Reproduction Insights is another tool available to DairyComp users through VAS PULSE Platform, bringing real-time insights to your fingertips for more accessible and precise reproduction management. With Reproduction Insights, you can see the big picture of your herd’s performance and zero in on areas where there may be opportunity to improve. You can even set custom thresholds for reproduction metrics, and if they deviate, the system will alert you, so you can proactively address potential issues. 

Have questions about evaluating your herd’s reproductive data in DairyComp? Reach out to the VAS support team for personalized guidance on your reproductive analysis. 

Contact Support

Not a DairyComp user but curious how it could improve your herd management? Get in touch below, and our team will reach out to discuss your farm’s needs and goals.

See how DairyComp works for you

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]]> 4 integrations to streamline herd management https://vas.com/blog/dairy-integrations-streamline-herd-management/ Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:20:05 +0000 https://vas.com/?p=24184 Is your farm technology working together? Explore how integrating systems – from milk production to activity monitoring – can centralize your data and improve management decisions

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4 integrations to streamline herd management

From hand-written 4×6 paper note cards and breeding wheels to cowside data entry and real-time performance alerts – dairy farm technology has come a long way. 

With data collected from every area of your farm, a centralized location is needed to keep, analyze and view the thousands of data points coming in each day. Integrations, like those available to DairyComp users in VAS PULSE Platform, connect your on-farm technologies and your herd management software. They eliminate the need to jump from platform to platform, creating a single place to analyze your data – saving time and money. 

Here are four herd data integrations to help connect your management tools in one place. 

1. Performance monitoring

Milk data is among the most valuable data collected on any farm. Integrating this with your DairyComp, whether from a parlor system or milk testing, allows you to view data that impacts milk production alongside milk trends to make more informed management decisions. You can identify production trends and adjust rations, milking routines or management practices to maximize milk output.

You can also track individual cow performance, pinpoint outliers and detect early signs of health issues like mastitis, reproductive problems or nutritional deficiencies.

2. Activity monitoring systems

Combining activity monitoring data with DairyComp supports more accurate heat detection, enabling more timely breeding decisions. Overall, this leads to more precise reproductive management and improved conception rates.  

The Activity monitoring software x DairyComp integration also lets you view all your cows’ data in one centralized location, from their CowCard information to activity levels. This makes it easier to spot behavioral trends and catch potential issues early.  

Take analyzing reproductive protocol success for instance. When a cow is bred, her activity level index is automatically recorded alongside the breeding event entry. Leveraging reports in DairyComp, you can view trends in conception rates, services per conception and more alongside activity levels to help determine the optimal activity level for breeding to maximize conception opportunities.  

3. Sort gate integrations

Sort gate integrations can help accurately and efficiently identify, evaluate and treat animals. Combining data from other farm technologies, like a monitoring system, with DairyComp allows you to automate sorting by easily creating a filtered list of animals that can be sent to the sort gate system.

For instance, when your monitoring system generates an individual cow alert, the gate automatically sorts her into a separate area after milking so you can perform a cowside evaluation, herd health tasks or breeding. This helps minimize pen disruption and time spent looking for cows while reducing lockup time.

4. Genetic and genomic integrations

ntegrated genetic and genomic data can help you make more informed breeding decisions. This data provides insights into traits, including milk production, fertility, disease resistance and longevity. Selectively breeding cows with desirable traits leads to a healthier, more productive herd.

Genomic data can reveal an animal’s genetic potential. You can tailor reproduction decisions to each animal’s performance when combined with herd management software. For example, you can easily see a heifer’s genomic values and view them side-by-side with her health events as a calf and heifer. Knowing her health history and genetic potential helps you decide whether to continue her genetics within the herd, breed her to beef, use her as a recipient or cull her.

You can also track individual cow performance, pinpoint outliers and detect early signs of health issues like mastitis, reproductive problems or nutritional deficiencies.

Pick a herd management partner that makes integrations easy

VAS’ goal is to create a centralized place for your data so you can make impactful decisions about your herd. Derrick Josi of Wilsonview Dairy in Oregon says maintaining a centralized approach to data management was a key factor when selecting new technology to implement on his farm.  

“I wanted an activity monitoring system that worked well with our herd management system without too much hassle,” explains Josi. “With DairyComp, we didn’t have to limit our options because it works with a variety of on-farm technologies.”  

VAS is committed to offering integration choices that meet the evolving needs of dairy farmers.  

Curious how to bring your data together in one place? Explore the full list of integrations included in your DairyComp or MyDC on PULSE subscription, or reach out to the VAS support team for one-on-one guidance.  

Contact Support

Thinking about upgrading your herd management system? As the industry’s leading software, DairyComp integrates with over 50 trusted partners to bring you simple, customizable data analysis. Contact us today to find out how VAS’ connected technology can make a difference for your farm.   

Let’s Talk

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