Dry matter loss means less feed is available to feed. This lost feed must be replaced with other feed. Often this other feed is purchased. If the replacement feed is grown by the dairy, it represents extra cost that wasn’t necessary had there been less dry matter loss. It also may mean the opportunity to sell feed that was lost. Additionally, because the highervalue nutrients were lost, we have to replace them if we want to continue providing the plane of nutrition the cows need to perform at optimal levels.
