Mike and Lisa Sampson
Sam Son Dairy
Worthington, Minn.
Scope:  120 dairy cows with an 82 pound bulk tank average

Situation:  Mike and Lisa Sampson of Sam Son Dairy have worked with Vita Plus for many years.  After working with an independent consultant for a very brief time in 2005, the Sampsons decided to implement Vita Plus amino acid balancing to formulate their rations.

Goal:  To increase milk protein content through amino acid balancing.

Solution:  Mike and Lisa worked with Kevin Caspersen of Vita Plus to increase the protein content of their milk.  By using the Vita Plus Nutri Spec ration balancing program, embedded with an NRC amino acid modeling component, the Sampsons learned that balancing amino acids can have a significant impact on milk protein levels.

Results:  Through amino acid balancing, Mike and Lisa’s milk protein content increased 0.2 percent in just two weeks.  Levels rose from 2.81 percent in July to 3.0 percent in August, and then to 3.31 percent in October.  The model also allowed Sam Son Dairy to significantly reduce the overall crude protein of the ration, lowering feed costs and producing a healthier ration for the cow.