This is calculated by adding together the average number of cows in the herd each month, and dividing by 12. To calculate this figure, add up the total amount of milk sold and fed to calves over the past 12 months. Divide this figure by the average number of cows in the herd. Divide the total value of milk produced by the total volume litres of milk produced over the same period. Replacements Replacement costs are the cost of heifers and cows entering the herd less the value of cows culled or sold from the herd, adjusted for herd size.
Total output is calculated by adding milk and calf sales per cow and subtracting replacement cost.
These costs include fertiliser, seeds, sprays, silage additives, silo covers and any purchased forage such as hay or silage. Contractor costs for silage making are excluded from these costs. The percentage of grazing and silage costs allocated to the dairy herd is calculated as average dairy cow numbers divided by total cow equivalents. The total cow equivalents is calculated as shown below from the average number of grazing livestock of each type on the farm over the 12 month period. Farmers using Complete Diet Feeding should include all straights purchased and used over the past 12 months when calculating this figure.