Dairy St r Central Plains Dairy Expo Preview
Special Edition 2nd Section
March 12, 2011
Coming full-circle
Ladlie discusses improving health of entire dairy operation to increase profitability By Jill Warren Staff writer SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Dairy farmers know that everything comes full circle. From inputs to profitability, what you put into something directly affects what you get out. For Dr. James Ladlie, that concept is the foundation of his dairy management system designed to improve the health and profitability of an entire operation. Ladlie will present “The Full-Circle Animal, Manure and Soil-Plant System™” at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, S.D. on March 30 at 11 a.m. and on March 31 at 1 p.m. “My system allows dairy farmers to achieve balance and health throughout their dairy operation,” La-
dlie said. “The Full-Circle System™ improves everything from the health of animals to soil and feed health.” The Full-Circle System™ encompasses the concept of using a probiotic, biological approach to improve manure composition, which enhances soil nutrients, seed health, feed quality and ultimately, animal productivity. By achieving a balance, you can improve the financial health of your dairy, according to Ladlie. “The main concept is bringing the entire system into balance,” Ladlie said. “I’m not just focusing on the animal, the manure or the crops, I prefer to address all three with one concept.” The entire process starts and ends with the animal. What cows are eating is going to come out in the manure, be applied to field soil, be used by plants,
and come back to affect the feed that cows will be eating. “Eighty percent of health is based on what cows eat,” Ladlie said. Ladlie’s animal component of the system involves utilizing a probiotic additive in the feed that improves cows’ feed efficiency, increases immunity and enhances manure digestion. Dr. James Ladlie A d d r e s s i n g ProfitPro, LLC the manure part of the Full-Circle System™ is a major part of Ladlie’s concept. Biologically digesting it reduces odor, solids and salts. The manure component of the Full-Circle System™ is accomplished by using a biological manure additive that stimulates or inoculates the microorganisms to properly digest manure. “Manure is where a majority of
the problems lie. There’s no reason to have flies, odors or sludge with your manure. If you have that, your system is out of balance,” Ladlie said. Improving the organic composition of the manure will directly benefit the fields it is applied to. With reduced toxins – salts, phosphate and nitrate levels – in the manure, Ladlie said the nutrient availability for crops is much higher, resulting in healthier feed – reduced aflatoxins and mycotoxins. Using your own bioaugmented manure can also reduce the reliance on costly high-salt fertilizer. “The end result is high energy feed that is going to be fed to your animals,” Ladlie said. “If you look at the ag industry today, we are overlooking the full picture. We’re out of balance.” Treating your dairy operation as a whole system and keeping each part Turn to Ladlie / Page 3