Influence of independent vs. non-independent nutritionists on dairy rations

Independent dairy nutritionists and nutritionists from feed companies are the two major types of nutritionists work with producers. A recent survey conducted by Hoard’s Dairyman evaluated the impact of independent vs. non-independent nutritionists on dairy feeding program. As shown in Table 1, independent nutritionists have similar (in East, South, and Midwest regions) or greater (in West region) influence on rations compared with feed suppliers. They have greater influence on ingredient choice in the rations compared with feed suppliers, especially in the West region (Table 2). In addition, compared with feed suppliers, independent nutritionists have greater influence on rations in larger herds (Table 3).

From the perspectives of dairy producers, many of them prefer to work with independent nutritionists, because those nutritionists don’t have the pressure to sell feeds or supplements and their only responsibility is to make sure the herds perform well on a cost-effective manner. It should be noted that there are many excellent nutritionists from feed companies as well. On the other hand, from the perspectives of feed ingredient or additive venders, they would need to interact more and more with independent nutritionists in the long run if they want to get their products to the farms, especially to large herds.

Table 1: Independent nutritionists have similar (in East, South, and Midwest regions) or greater (in West region) influence on rations compared with feed suppliers. Survey based on a 2015 Hoard’s Dairyman study.

Table 2: Independent nutritionists have greater influence on ingredient choice in the rations compared with feed suppliers, especially in the West region. Survey based on a 2015 Hoard’s Dairyman study.

Table 3: Independent nutritionists have greater influence on rations in larger herds compared with feed suppliers. Survey based on a 2015 Hoard’s Dairyman study.