Feed with confidence every day
On any dairy, few things matter more than consistency. But for Bart Van Ruiten, a Texas dairy farmer milking 700 cows, that consistency used to be hard to measure.
“Before FeedComp, I had no idea if the feeder was actually following the plan,” he says. “We couldn’t track accuracy or performance.”
Like many farms, Van Ruiten relied on spreadsheets and paper to manage feed. Ration updates meant trips to the office, making the change manually and then hoping his feeder saw the adjustment so each load matched the ration on paper. It wasn’t until his team started using FeedComp that he could finally see what was being fed and when.
Data that drives accuracy
With FeedComp, Van Ruiten’s daily routine became simpler and more transparent. Every load is tracked automatically, from mixing times to drop accuracy. Instead of wondering whether his rations are followed, he can see the results on his tablet in real-time. His feeder, who once juggled notes and verbal instructions, now follows clear digital directions to mix and deliver every ration.
“The accuracy is what surprised me most,” says Van Ruiten. “Now, every load mixes for 10 minutes and refusals are always in the 150–250-pound range.”
Those small, measurable improvements add up to more consistent feeding, less waste and better cow performance.
Reports that tell the full story
With FeedComp’s reporting tools, Van Ruiten also has real-time visibility into his team’s feeding performance. The system tracks key metrics — including load and drop errors, ingredient use and dry matter intake — helping managers and nutritionists fine-tune feeding plans for greater precision and consistency.
“Load and drop error reports are the first metrics farms look at — sometimes multiple times a day,” says Melissa Freitas, VAS farm performance consultant team leader for the West, Northeast and Mexico. “They show exactly how close each mix and delivery is to target and give managers and feeders the information they need to make adjustments right away.”
According to Charlotte Handschke, VAS Midwest farm performance consultant team leader, this kind of visibility turns data into action.
“When feeders can see their results, they naturally want to improve,” she says. “It creates a sense of ownership and collaboration on the farm that supports efficiency and morale.”
Transparency that pays off
Van Ruiten’s story is one example of how precision feeding can change daily operations.
“FeedComp made our operation more consistent and transparent,” he says. “It’s easy to use and has eliminated a lot of guesswork.”
Fewer errors, faster communication and consistent rations lead to healthier cows and more predictable performance. FeedComp delivers those results by design — a simple, cloud- and mobile-based solution that helps you manage your feed whether you’re in the office, cowside or even miles away with no internet.
Ready to see how the right feed management tool can make a difference on your farm? Contact your local VAS farm performance consultant, or click below, to learn how FeedComp can bring more confidence — and peace of mind — to your feeding program.
There’s never been a better time to simplify your feeding program. Implement FeedComp for free on your farm through the end of 2025.*
