Penn State app lets dairymen pencil out options

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —Today’s increased investment cost for replacement animals has producers examining heifer inventories and replacement needs.

There are several key metrics that are used to determine each of these heifer-related needs, and are the basis for the Penn State Extension Dairy Team’s newly released app, PSU Herd Metrics. This free mobile app is accessible at: http://www.ahg.com:8180/PSUHerdMetrics/html/ and runs on any Windows, Android, or Apple device with an internet connection.

This app is designed to assist dairy producers and consultants with estimating annual heifer needs and heifer production. It also allows users to run “what-if” cases to see how changes in base metrics affect overall heifer flow, and lets farmers estimate what value a herd’s current level of culling and heifer inventories may provide to gross revenue or costs.

To learn more, contact Rob Goodling, Penn State Extension associate, rcg133@psu.edu, 717-270-4391.