TMR audits started from a single question: Why did dairies that just bought a new mixer see a bump in milk production? Today, it is a fundamental tool that helps us use our equipment and data more effectively and better support our people and cows. Curiosity and a willingness to feed cows better will continue to influence what comes next.

Many feedbunk management factors should be regularly evaluated by farm managers and consultants. The goal is to provide adequate amounts of a uniform ration that all cows can access whenever they access the feedbunk.

For those of us born during the last millennium, we will remember how wonderful it was when the concept of total mixed ration (TMR) was introduced. Mixers with capabilities of taking all the ingredients and creating one feed. But we still must outsmart the bovine beast that looks for the goodies, and that means sorting.

There was a lot to discover at the 2024 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, as companies from all across the globe showcased new innovative offerings for dairy operations and paid homage to technologies of the past. Continue reading to see what Progressive Dairy editors found while attending this year’s event.

How does your dairy push feed and manure? Do you rely on a skid loader and an employee? Pushing these responsibilities to automation can save labor, fuel, and equipment wear and tear.

Jerseys have their own requirements and different nutritional challenges that we must consider when formulating rations.

Just as the line at the concession stand depends on what is happening on the baseball field, the line at the robot depends on what is happening in the barn.

All we have to do is balance the ration to maximize fat, right? Regarding the number of variables involved in ration formulation, few diets are ever truly balanced. Consider the word “optimized” instead. Let’s look at several key nutrients that must be optimized for maximum butterfat production.

There are three areas where consistency is necessary to optimize feed management: inventory, mixing of the total mixed ration (TMR) and the feedbunk.

In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, robotic technology has found its way into various aspects of farming, including dairy production. Automated feed pushing systems have emerged as a revolutionary solution for improving feed management in dairy farms.