Genetic Technologies Limited
Genetic Technologies Limited

Feed Pad Cost vs Benefit Calculator

Given the volatility of farm input prices, we encourage you to complete your own budget.

To use this cost guide, enter your values in the "My values" column. Once complete, click 'SAVE & EMAIL RESULT' at the bottom of the page for more detailed results. 

General Information Default values My values
No of cows 450
Farm area (ha) 280
Milksolids payout ($/kgMS) 9
Average milksolids response to feed (gMS/kgDM fed) 80
Average pasture yield (tDM/ha) 15.5
Cost of additional purchased feed (c/kgDM fed) 45
Feed Pad Cost
Construction cost ($/cow) 1000
Annual R & M cost ($) 2500
Interest rate (%) 8%
Depreciation (%/year) 10%
Supplementary Feed Savings
Only enter information for the feed types that apply to your farm. Leave unused sections blank.
Silages
Pasture
Total amount fed (tDM) 150
Wastage feeding in paddock (%) 20%
Wastage feeding on feed pad (%) 5%
Maize
Total amount fed (tDM) 700
Wastage feeding in paddock (%) 25%
Wastage feeding on feed pad (%) 5%
Balage
Total amount fed (tDM) 0
Wastage feeding in paddock (%) 0%
Wastage feeding on feed pad (%) 5%
Other Feeds
PKE
Total amount fed (tDM) 0
Wastage feeding in paddock (%) 20%
Wastage feeding on feed pad (%) 5%
Other Feeds
Total amount fed (tDM) 125
Wastage feeding in paddock (%) 0%
Wastage feeding on feed pad (%) 0%
Pasture Savings
Percentage of the farm pugged each year - without feedpad 20%
Percentage of the farm pugged each year - with feedpad 5%
Average pasture yield loss from pugging (%) 30%
Labour and Running Cost Savings
No of days supplements fed per year 200
Time taken to feed out in the paddock (hours/day) 2
Time taken to feedout on the feed pad (hours/day) 0.3
Tractor running costs ($/hour) $45
Labour costs ($/hour) $35

Recommendation

Excluding depreciation:
—
Gross benefit: —
Net benefit: —

The information in this calculator is general in nature only. Although the information in this calculator is believed to be accurate, no liability (whether as a result of negligence or otherwise) is accepted for any loss of any kind that may arise from actions based on the contents of this calculator.