Marvelous Improvement Device (MID)

Adapted by Nyles G Peterson, UCCE San Bernardino County

“The MID is the greatest thing going and only costs $50,000.  My neighbor put one on his dairy and it lowered his mastitis to nothing and milk production went up ten pounds per cow. In fact, his services per conception have even gone down. It will pay for itself in six months; from then on it’s all profit. In these tight economic times, a little more cash flow would really help.” When you start thinking these thoughts, what should you do?

The place to begin is your neighbor’s dairy. I lived in Missouri “the show me state” for a year. When claims to great improvements are made, become a “show me” dairyman. Visit the dairy that has the MID and look at the records for yourself. See if there has really been a change. Examine the creamery or DHI reports to see if mastitis has really gone down. What did mastitis look like two years ago?  Get as many months as possible and look for cyclic trends. The drop might just be the normal drift from the high part of the cycle to the low. How many months has it been lower? One month does not a change make. Nothing in nature stays the same. If any two months are compared, one will always be higher than the other. The difference could be caused by chance and not the MID.

Next, find out if other changes were made about the same time the MID was installed. These changes might be responsible for the progress and not the MID. As you talk, remember that few individuals will admit to making a big mistake. He probably isn’t going to say, “You know, (insert your name), it was the dumbest thing I ever did, when I spent that $50,000.” The more he paid for it, the less apt he is to tell you that he doesn’t like it. When he finally gets rid of the product, he’ll probably be more honest. That’s human nature. You will, however, be able to find out about the type of service and support he has received from those who sold him the MID.

Sometime we don’t actually care about the facts, but instead base our decisions on what we feel, hope, or imagine the facts to be.  Adolph Hitler is a notorious example of one who did not always go with the facts. On one occasion during a great rage, he is reported to have said, “My mind is made up—don’t confuse me with the facts.”

Some people believe and are guided entirely by what they hear. The last person they talk to determines their belief. Much of the information we get from others is, at best, only partially true. Take time to think it through. Filter out the truth from the untruth. Do the facts show that the MID really helps? Why does the MID do a better job? Could the money be invested elsewhere and produce equal or better results? Are there ways to increase production without spending additional money? These are all questions that would have to be examined before buying the MID.

California dairymen are always looking for ways to do a better job and produce a higher profit. For this reason, they are receptive to new products. During tight economic times, however, it might be more profitable to invest additional time improving management practices, than by buying a MID hoping it will help. Something must be invested to produce a change. Sometimes it is money to buy a MID; often, time and smart work are required. Teat dipping, heat detecting, milking infected cows last, maximizing income over feed costs, and keeping accurate records all become more important when profits are small or non-existent.  Before you invest your future in a MID, determine the facts, filter through those facts, and then act on the facts. 

Link to PDF Version: Marvelous Improvement Device